It is a relief to see that the ice pillars of Smuggler’s Notch remain despite this winter’s turbulent weather. I feel excitement and anticipation building as worries regarding the ice conditions fade from mind. It is a delicate and persistent process that allows streams and waterfalls to freeze into elegant ice pillars, especially those formed enough for climbing. Indeed, due to the turbulence of moving water, freezing occurs uniformly throughout the entire flow instead of spreading from colder pockets. This means temperatures must drop well below the typical freezing point of water in order to create ice. If temperatures of below 21 degrees can be maintained for sufficient time, the first signs of freezing will occur in the form of frazil ice, minuscule bunches of supercooled water molecules. These thin forms will stick to the frozen rock beneath the flowing water, slowly creeping downward as more molecules are captured in the formation. Eventually, a stalactite of ice will be formed and the waterfall will be frozen in an awe-inspiring likeness of its liquid self.
One of the most fascinating traits of these frozen flows is their inherit variance over time; it is sure that a frozen waterfall will disappear in the spring. Yet, for this dependent change, the wildlife surrounding these flows can expect a deep freeze and thick coating of ice each winter. Nonetheless, moss persists directly on the frozen rock face and an impressive variety of trees, clearly having lasted several winters already due to their size, remain alive despite a frozen coating. This impressive hardiness can be credited to a trees’ ability to prioritize the protection of living cells. Interestingly, despite their role in everyday functions, most cells in a tree are already dead, allowing for a massive tree to focus on protecting a relatively small area. Much like the freezing of the waterfall, it takes much time to prepare living cells to endure winter, and the thermal properties of water are cleverly utilized. One such method to keep living cells unfrozen is to increase the concentration of sugars within cell membranes. This, like turbulence in a river, keeps water liquid below its traditional freezing point. These cells also release water through their semi-permeable membranes when ice begins to spread further, forcing ice to expend thermal energy to cool the new liquid at the same time as increasing the concentration of sugar within their walls, a natural anti-freeze.
Evolutionary adaptations such as this are reminders of the flexibility and diversity of life, and it is always remarkable to go to one’s limit only to find another organism quite at home in the same situation.
Observations made 14 January, 2017 in Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont.