4/3/2023 0 Comments Frozen ocean wavesCHAOS was selected since its atmospheric component offers advanced capabilities in simulating severe weather phenomena ( Cheliotis et al., 2017 Christakos et al., 2014, 2016 Katsafados et al., 2018 Varlas et al., 2018). In the context of this study, CHAOS consists of two components: the atmospheric model WRF-ARW version 4.0 ( Powers et al., 2017 Skamarock et al., 2008 ) and the ocean wave model WAM version 4.5.4 ( Günther & Behrens, 2012 Komen et al., 1994 The Wamdi Group, 1988). Slurpee waves are a rare occurrence on shorelines, mainly because the naturally turbulent nature of swells tends to break the ice.The CHAOS modeling system was configured to perform the simulation from November 14 at 1200 UTC to November 15 at 1200 UTC to represent the meteorological conditions during the life cycle of the severe storm that occurred early in the morning on November 15. Sea ice is relatively common in the Arctic and Southern oceans, covering 25 million square kilometers of the planet's surface. And they are surfable, too.Īnd as it happens in lakes, if the temperature remains low for a longer period, the patches will start merging and forming a uniform sheet. Slushy waves are so smooth and brain-satisfying that they make you want to touch them. Interestingly, these nearly frozen waves move and crash incredibly slowly and almost make no noise when they break. Slush is eventually tossed onto shore, creating a snow powder effect. However, if there's enough swell and wave energy, small patches of ice formed start bumping into each other, producing a mesmerizing, slushy appearance. Whenever the shoreline is calm, surface ice gets smooth and dark at first and then whiter as it thickens. Simultaneously, salt, which doesn't freeze, gets left behind.īut how do slurpee waves get that dreamy slushy look? Why do they resemble wool blankets or yogurt-like curls? When it happens, a soft layer called frazil forms due to the accumulation of ice crystals in water that is too turbulent to freeze solid. So, if temperatures continue to drop, the surface of the sea could get close to the freezing point. However, while fresh water freezes at 32 ☏ ( 0 ☌), sea water only freezes at 28.4 ☏ (-2 ☌) due to its salt content. When the air and water temperature reaches nearly 0° C (32 ☏), icy particles begin forming in the water. So how do these salty slurpee waves form? Why do they look frozen when they are about to break? It is the result of several weather phenomena, including the fact that it was the coldest winter experienced in 81 years. Three years later, Nimerfroh was at Nobadeer Beach, capturing his surfer friends' waves, when he once again witnessed the unusual undulating slush. The lensman's pictures of slurpee waves went viral in 2015 when he shot near-frozen ripples taking shape in Nantucket, Massachusetts, an island 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of Boston. Jonathan Nimerfroh, a surf photographer from San Juan Capistrano, California, was one of the first to document the rare phenomenon. So, all you need is a few factors and variables to align to make it feasible.Ī slurpee wave - also known as a frozen wave or slushy wave - is an ocean wave that resembles the famous crushed ice and sweet drink, similar to granita. Nature is infinitely creative and endlessly unpredictable, capable of conjuring up the impossible with effortless ease. Waves are in constant movement and mutation until they lose energy and dissipate into whitewater.īut what if they moved across the ocean and, as the temperature gets close to zero degrees Celsius, they started to freeze? If there's something obvious about a wave is that it is a moving and morphing phenomenon that travels for a distance until it breaks. For instance, have you ever wondered how slurpee waves form? The winter season can completely transform the environment and natural life.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |