The 'frozen wave': Stunning 50ft tall blue ice monolith captured in the Antarctic

  • While the phenomenon resembles a frozen wave it is actually caused by compressed ice
  • The ice appears blue because it absorbs light from the red end of the spectrum and reflects blue light

By Rik Sharma

PUBLISHED: 08:18 EST, 26 November 2012 | UPDATED: 11:29 EST, 26 November 2012


At first glance these beautiful images from the Antarctic appear to show 50-ft tall waves that have been instantly frozen as they break.

Some people have posted the pictures online, taken by scientist Tony Travouillon at Dumont D'Urville, with a description claiming they are a tsunami wave which was frozen.

But although email chains and internet forums back this claim up, what is really pictured is the natural phenomenon of blue ice.

Imposing: Although this is not, as widely rumoured, a wave frozen while breaking, it is still an incredible phenomenon

Imposing: Although this is not, as widely rumoured, a wave frozen while breaking, it is still an incredible phenomenon

Frozen towers: This blue ice is created because ice bubbles are compressed and light at the red end of the spectrum is absorbed

Frozen towers: This blue ice is created because ice bubbles are compressed and light at the red end of the spectrum is absorbed

Hard work: Mr Travouillon travelled to the Antarctic while studying for his PhD from the Australian university of New South Wales, between 2001-2004

Hard work: Mr Travouillon travelled to the Antarctic while studying for his PhD from the Australian university of New South Wales, between 2001-2004

These freezing blue towers were created when ice was compressed and the trapped air bubbles were squeezed out.

During the summer the surface ice melts and new ice layers compress on top.

The ice appears blue because when when light passes through thick ice, blue light is transmitted back out but red light is absorbed.

 

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If the bubbles were not compressed they would scatter the light, meaning it would all be reflected back out and it would appear white.

Larry Gedney wrote about blue snow and ice on the Alaska Science Forum.

He explained: 'It takes an appreciable thickness of pure ice to absorb enough red light so that only the blue is transmitted. You can see the effect in snow at fairly shallow depths because the light is bounced around repeatedly between ice grains, losing a little red at each bounce.

Gleaming blue pillars of ice
Gleaming blue pillars of ice

Hoax: Many people have posted the pictures claiming either mistakenly or mischievously that these icy pillars were formed when a wave froze instantly as it broke

Stunning: It's easy to see why people might believe this is just part of a frozen ocean, but the truth is still interesting, if a little more complex

Stunning: It's easy to see why people might believe this is just part of a frozen ocean, but the truth is still interesting, if a little more complex

'You can even see a gradation of colour within a hole poked in clean, deep snow. Near the opening, the transmitted light will be yellowish.

'As the depth increases, the corer will pass through yellowish-green, greenish-blue and finally vivid blue. If the hole is deep enough, the colour and light disappear completely when all the light is absorbed.'

Mr Travouillon, employed by Caltech in California, travelled to Antarctica while working towards his PhD from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia.

The 35-year-old lists his nationalities as Australian and French and can speak both Spanish and French, as well as English.

On his resume he writes: 'My research is mainly experimental covering a broad knowledge of site testing, remote sensing and automatization for telescopes of all wavelengths.

'I am also particularly interested in the development and management of very large astronomical projects.

'My career goal is to work in a hybrid environment of academia and project research, involving myself in teaching and project development.'

Sturdy: Blue ice is easier for explorers to clamber over because it is safer and stronger than white ice

Sturdy: Blue ice is easier for explorers to clamber over because it is safer and stronger than white ice

Experienced: Mr Travouillon, who says he is Australian and French, is fluent in English, French and Spanish, and was born in Angouleme, France

Experienced: Mr Travouillon, who says he is Australian and French, is fluent in English, French and Spanish, and was born in Angouleme, France

 
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These pictures were taken a few years ago.

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This sort of stuff makes me believe in God! Absolutely incredible. I'd love to see the World X

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Ahh.. :) pictures like this warm my heart :)

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icy splendour :)

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Nature is an extremely breath-taking thing.

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The faster a liquid freezes the smaller the crystals. If a tsunami had suddenly frozen (which would require a ludicrous temperature swing anyway) it would look white and crusty. This is definitely a case of the crystals slowly growing, by absorbing melt water.

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I can't believe some actually thought it was a - wait for it "Tsunami Wave that was frozen in time". LOL! Water can't freeze that fast! Wow, some people are just idiots.

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Wow! That is stunning. Another of the wonders of nature.

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Don't care how it was made, it's absolutely stunning.

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strange, I don't see any water dripping from it shouldn't global warming be having some effect!! let's hear it from those 'scientists'

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