Ice Volcanoes on Lake Michigan?

'What are "ice volcanoes, and why are they erupting in Michigan?

Transcript

00:00Recently, on the frozen shores of Lake Michigan, there was an eruption… of ice volcanoes.

00:07Last weekend, while out on a stroll, an employee of the National Weather Service Grand Rapids

00:11snapped a few photos of the phenomenon.

00:14To be clear, ice volcanoes aren't actually volcanoes, but cone-like mounds that form

00:18at the edge of lakes.

00:20Although not unheard of, ice volcanoes are rare, only forming in precise conditions.

00:26This phenomenon can happen when thin layers of ice form on the coast of a body of water.

00:30If winds create powerful enough waves, the water builds up enough pressure below the

00:34thin ice to spurt out to the surface.

00:37When it's cold enough outside, the expelled water freezes over, creating a mound.

00:41Your best shot at seeing an ice volcano is to travel to large lakes, such as the Great

00:45Lakes.

00:46But, because they're hollow, experts warn that you shouldn't be climbing on them.

00:49That's your Strange News Snapshot.

00:51I'm Yasmin Saplakoğlu with Live Science.

00:57Not strange enough for you?

00:59You can find more strange news at LiveScience.com.