Talk:Ice spike

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[edit] Water fountain images

Are the water fountian images (external link) really an ice spice? Is this a case of flowing water iceing up instead of a water spike formed the normal way?

Actually, I am quite sure that it is not the same. I edited it to indicate that and was coming here to explain when I saw the above comment. While I'm no expert, I've seen many ice spikes formed in freezer ice trays, and from my understanding of the mechanism it is very different. I think you are right - the image shows a column of water that froze from the top down, rather than from the bottom up, as in an ice spike. Of course, this is all just how I interpret the photo, but seems much more logical to me and fits the form - a column with parallel sides and a mushroom cap-like top instead of the converging sides leading to a point seen on true spikes. I left the link in for two reasons: I am NOT claiming expert knowledge, and it seems to fit this non-technical coverage. Please edit away... --Fitzhugh 00:44, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Natural ice spikes

Maybe it would be a neat idea to take pictures of natural ice spikes? --HappyCamper 03:19, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Natural ice spikes may be impossible to find, because purified water is required. Impure water has particles that serve as nucleation sites for ice crystals, resulting in freezing of the water before a spike can form. The only time I've seen a naturally occurring ice spike, it was actually a stalagmite formed by water dripping on a frozen surface, gradually building up to form a vertical column. =Axlq 04:19, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Distilled Water Only?

I never saw ice spikes until I moved to Nagoya, Japan. They appear with great regularity in our ice cube tray, even though we always fill it with tap water. Some get to be two inches long, or possibly longer. Paul Davidson (talk) 12:25, 4 June 2008 (UTC)