What Is Hair Ice And How It Is Formed
By: NDTVNewsDesk
Image: File
Hair ice, or ice wool, is a delicate, silky ice formation resembling fine white hairs or cotton candy.
Image: File
It is found on rotting broadleaf wood in humid, sub-freezing conditions, formed by a fungus called Exidiopsis effusa.
Image: File
It draws moisture from the wood and acts as an antifreeze to prevent recrystallisation, pushing out hair-like strands through ice segregation.
Image: File
It requires moist, rotting wood (from broadleaf trees), humid air, and temperatures just below 0 Degree Celsius.
Image: File
Water from the wood freezes at the surface, creating a thin ice layer that traps liquid water in the wood's pores.
Image: File
A suction effect draws more liquid water through the wood pores towards the freezing front.
Image: File
As this water freezes and is pushed out, the fungal inhibitor shapes it into extremely thin, long strands, creating the hair-like appearance.
Image: File
It can form curls and waves, and maintains its shape due to the fungal inhibitor.
Image: File
ndtv.com