If you are one of those who enjoys hiking or playing sports in snow-covered mountains, you may have been lucky enough to come across the snow donuts. This phenomenon, also known as snow rollers, is extraordinary and is produced only under very specific conditions, making it a fascinating natural spectacle. Donuts have been recorded reaching considerable diameters, up to about 70 centimeters. But, How are they formed?
What are snow rollers or donuts?
When we visit a snowy landscape, we're likely to play snowball fights, an activity that both adults and children love. Snow donuts are essentially naturally formed hollow rollersThese curious phenomena offer a striking appearance and are perfect for photographing when found in nature.
How are they formed?
The formation of these snow donuts requires the combination of various weather conditions:
- The temperature should be around freezing.
- Snow must be able to condense without resistance.
- The winds should blow strongly but not so strong as to break the formed donuts.
- The land where they are formed must have a slope that facilitates their movement.
Snow donuts are most common in North America, but they can appear anywhere snow donuts occur. favorable weather conditionsIts formation begins when a small layer of snow, blown by the wind, collides with a patch of ice on the ground. This initial collision triggers the accumulation of more snow, resulting in layers that form a roller. As the roller moves forward, it grows larger due to the accumulated snow and gravity, and continues to form until it reaches a large size.
Factors contributing to the formation of snow donuts
In addition to the conditions mentioned above, there are other factors that can influence the formation of these donuts. These include:
- The texture of the snow: The snow must be light and dry enough so that can be rolled up easily.
- The slope of the terrainThe steeper the slope, the faster the donuts will roll and form.
- wind speed: It should be strong enough to move the layers of snow, but not so strong that it ruins the structure of the donuts.
These factors make the occurrence of snow donuts a rare and fascinating event. Nature, in its complexity, produces these strange formations under specific circumstances, making them a phenomenon worthy of observing and enjoying. So, if you ever find yourself in a snowy landscape and spot these amazing donuts, don't hesitate to take a photo and share it. It's a souvenir that will not only capture a unique moment in nature, but also explain the incredible phenomenon behind them.