Our Gem: What happens beneath the ice?
An auger hole in Fernan Lake shows layers of white ice on top and black ice below.
Photo by M. SCHMIDT
Dr. Frank Wilhelm and University of Idaho students collect water quality data from beneath the ice.
Photo by M. SCHMIDT
End-of-season ice on Fernan Lake, marked by open water along pressure cracks.
Photo by M. SCHMIDT
Did you know that water is less dense as a solid than as a liquid? Because ice is less dense, it floats (think of ice cubes in a glass of water), and consequently, lakes freeze from the top down. ...
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