Breathtaking discovery: thousands of ‘ice eggs’ found on beach in Finland
In Finland, a small town experiences a fascinating natural phenomenon when the conditions are just right, resulting in thousands of ice balls resembling eggs along the beaches of Hailuoto Island. Residents were puzzled by these icy formations, which are not actual eggs but stunning ice sculptures shaped by Mother Nature.
During sunny, windy weather at around 30°F, a local couple discovered these spherical ice formations on Marjaniemi beach, covering an area of about 100 feet. The sizes ranged from small egg-sized to large football-sized balls.
BBC Weather expert George Goodfellow explains that these ice balls form from pieces of larger ice sheets that are rounded by waves. As sea water freezes onto their surfaces, they become smoother and larger, much like a snowball gaining layers as it rolls through the snow.
Dr. James Carter, an emeritus geography-geology professor, describes the process as ice forming on the water’s surface, which becomes slushy when moved by waves. This unique sight, captured by a photographer, allows the world to witness a natural wonder most would never encounter.
