'Ice volcano' erupts along the lake

Ice volcanoes form when large waves hit the edge of an ice shelf, which can be more than 8 meters high.

The condition for this phenomenon to occur is ice, high waves and low temperatures.

The National Weather Service (NWS) posted on social media a video of two erupting ice volcanoes along Lake Michigan , Michigan, on Feb. 16. "A great day to visit the lake and watch the waves interact with the ice , " wrote NWS.

Ice volcanoes often occur on the north shore of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan in the winter with a height from less than one meter to more than 8 meters. The three conditions for this phenomenon to occur are ice, high waves and low temperatures . Waves must be at least one meter high to create a volcanic ridge. When the volcano peak has formed, the waves continue to strike, pushing water through the gaps or grooves from below, creating eruptions like in the video.

Ice volcanoes are often located evenly along the banks of the lake but there are also isolated peaks. They are thought to form in areas where the ice is weak. Experts have never observed them in a state of eruption.

1. "Ice volcano" phenomenon on the lake
2. Impressive images of volcanoes on ice