Photographer Captures the Rare Sight of a Natural Ice Circle Formed Over a Flowing River

Photographer Kaylyn Messer captured the absolutely amazing and very rare sight of a natural ice circle that formed over the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River near North Bend, Washington. Ice circles form through a natural phenomenon called rotational shear in which the force of a moving current breaks off a piece of ice and spins it into a frozen disk.

Ice circles or, ice disks, are a natural phenomena where a thin layer of ice spins on top of flowing water. Here, an I’ve circle spins on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. A nearly perfect circle with a few fractured edges. A rare sight.

via Colossal

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.