In Finland, a rare and intriguing natural phenomenon known as “ice eggs” was recently detected. These icy spheres form under very specific conditions, making the sighting unique and remarkable. The discovery was made by Risto Mattila, an amateur photographer, and his wife, while strolling along Marjaniemi beach on Hailuoto Island. The beach was completely covered in an expanse of small ice balls that stretched more than 30 meters (98 feet), creating an impressive sight.

Mattila described the largest of the eggs as being the size of a football, which is quite remarkable considering that these spheres are created by natural processes. As an amateur photographer, I was in awe of the phenomenon and had never seen anything like it before. Experts agree that this occurrence is not common and requires very specific conditions to form.

Jouni Vainio, an ice specialist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, explained that “ice eggs” can form under the right circumstances, including the right air and water temperature, a shallow, gently sloping sandy beach, calm waves or a light swell, and something else. which acts as the nucleus. This core begins to accumulate ice around it, and as the surf moves it along the beach, the ice spheres grow in size, creating an extraordinary sight.

According to Dr. James Carter, emeritus professor of geography-geology at Illinois State University, fall is the best time to view this phenomenon. During this season, the surface of the water begins to freeze, creating a slush-like substance that moves with the waves. As the slush is pushed onto the beach, it can start to freeze and create little balls that form the ice eggs. This formation process is fascinating to witness and is one of nature’s many impressive events.

While these icy spheres may look like man-made decorations, they are completely natural, formed under very specific climatic and environmental conditions. The fact that they are so rare to see makes this discovery all the more remarkable. For those interested in seeing this phenomenon, it is crucial to visit during the fall and keep an eye out for the right conditions.