Maslenitsa: how does nature prepare ice pancakes?

A wide Maslenitsa is marching across Russia. This year, Shrovetide week began on March 8. The traditional symbol of Maslenitsa is pancakes. Fragrant, round and rosy, they take center stage on the table.

But did you know that nature also knows how to cook pancakes? Only not hot, but icy!

Ice pancakes are a fairly rare hydrometeorological phenomenon. It can only be observed in cold seas, rivers, or lakes.

Ice pancakes are formed in two ways. In the seas and lakes, the waves beat the pieces of ice to each other. The result is an extensive shape with rounded edges.

In rivers, the ice foam is drawn into eddies. The pieces of foam combine and take on a round shape.