Ice tsunami: Documented footage of a devastating phenomenon that crushes houses in moments!

2025-07-03 2025-07-03T15:19:26Z
سنان خلف
سنان خلف
محرر أخبار جوية- قسم التواصل الاجتماعي

Arab Weather - Imagine sitting at home on the shores of a frozen lake when suddenly you hear a roaring sound rapidly approaching. You step outside to be surprised by massive blocks of ice advancing toward you, crushing trees, fences, and even house walls. The scene may look like something from a science fiction movie, but it is actually a rare and strange phenomenon known as an "ice tsunami."

 

What is an ice tsunami?

It is a sudden and violent surge of ice masses accumulated on the surface of frozen lakes or seas towards land, with a speed and force that makes it a real "tsunami", but instead of water, it is made of solid ice that creeps and destroys everything in its path.

 

How does an ice tsunami occur?

This phenomenon is formed as a result of a set of complex atmospheric and physical conditions, the most prominent of which are:

  • Strong winds push the ice from the center of the lake toward the shore.
  • A sudden change in temperature causes ice to expand and break.
  • Internal pressure built up within layers of ice is suddenly released.

When these factors combine, the ice begins to move at speeds of up to 60 centimeters per second, creating a destructive sound. Its destructive power is considered enormous due to its solid mass and constant movement.

 

Places where the phenomenon occurs

Ice tsunamis have been recorded in a number of cold countries and regions around the world, most notably:

  • Canada
  • Northern United States (especially Minnesota and Wisconsin)
  • Russia and Alaska
  •  

They most often occur during the spring, when temperatures begin to rise after a long winter, causing the ice to expand, crack, and begin moving toward land.

 

Is an ice tsunami a dangerous phenomenon?

Although this phenomenon moves relatively slowly, its destructive power is great and may lead to:

  • Destruction of homes and facilities near the beaches
  • Uprooting trees and iron fences
  • huge material losses
  • Threatening the lives of people in affected areas
  •  

Scenes documented by cameras

In 2012, a video captured a rare sight of an ice tsunami hitting the shores of a lake in Canada, as the ice crept eerily silently along, destroying several shoreline cottages.

 

In 2021, the city of Khabarovsk, Russia, witnessed a new manifestation of this phenomenon, as blocks of ice rushed toward the coast, a scene captured on camera and astonishing local residents.

 

in conclusion

An ice tsunami is not just a rare sight or a strange weather phenomenon. It is a true reminder of the power of nature, and that even the most tranquil elements, like ice, can transform in an instant into an unstoppable force.

This article was written originally in Arabic and is translated using a 3rd party automated service. ArabiaWeather is not responsible for any grammatical errors whatsoever.
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