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Tourists Flock to Witness Massive Ice Disc in Maine
A giant 90-meter ice disc appeared in the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine, drawing thousands from across the state to marvel at this natural spectacle. Local scientists aim to study its properties before it breaks apart.
The latest attraction captivating tourists in Maine: a massive 90-meter-wide ice disc that appeared in the Presumpscot River in Westbrook last week, pulling in thousands from across the state to witness this incredible natural wonder.
To put it into perspective, the largest ice disc observed until now appeared back in 1987 in the River Piteå in Sweden, so this is a record-breaking phenomenon residents are calling an "insane supernatural occurrence."
Similar ice circles have been documented in Scandinavia, Russia, Washington, and Canada, and according to National Geographic, this natural occurrence happens when temperatures plunge significantly below freezing. A 1997 article in the Royal Meteorological Society explained that river water creates a whirlpool effect around an ice block, particularly forming in the chilly temperatures.
The thin ice layer appears atop the water, and as rotational movement begins, it resembles a polished, smooth disc. Paul Nakroshis, a physicist at the University of Southern Maine, expressed doubt that a change in temperature would break the ice disc. Local scientists now hope to study the disc's characteristics before it disintegrates.
Watch the stunning footage:
