• Wednesday-What'sUP January 30 - 07:26 pm

Thanks to Brian and Shawn Malone, we get to double our pleasure today, with two very different shots of Lake Superior. Ice volcanoes such as the one in today's first photo aren't anything new here on the Pasty Cam, but no matter how many times I view one of these, I'm still amazed at the way nature makes formations like this. Actually I'm also amazed that Brian and Shawn were able to freeze the precise moment the water came shooting up through that icy hole. Nice capture!

Then there's the quieter side of Superior, with a shroud of fog laying on the water's surface, which can happen when the Big Lake's water is at a warmer temperature than the air. In this instance the air was in the minus temps, while the lake water was in the low to mid 30's. Brrrr...

This marvelous lake just continues to astound me! Thanks for bringing these wonders into my view Brian, Shawn and Mary.

Good morning from a lurker... We just received news that MTU has cancelled classes for today due to the amazing weather. Hope everyone is warm and safe!

I think we had a nice volcano like that last year. Quite amazing feat of Lake Superior. The second shot isn't bad either.

Fantastic photos! The second almost looks like a painting.

Extremely awesome pictures today. Thank you! I'm really sick of the cold weather though. Mary, could you throw a shot of a peaceful scene involving WARM temps? LOL We can dream!!!

GREAT PICTURES!!! Wow, I miss thre U.P. So I am here in Midland, MI, attending Central Michigan University. Its amazing fact thsat i have had more delays and school cancelations living here then i ever did going to high school and elementary in the Upper Peninsula. Today is only a delay till 12 noon. But still.

Great pictures, haven't seen an ice volcano in many years. Brings back frigid memories....

Oh the wonders of Lake Superior! Like the Jeep commercials say (as does one of my T-shirts): "If you haven't been there you don't understand." Great shots Brian and Shawn. Thanks for sharing Mary!

The snow ripples in the second look like beach sand.

Nate, people really don't know what to do about a good snowfall down there, do they? My parents live near CMU and always laugh at the difference in how people respond to the weather. I'm loving my day off. :)

Hi
Talking about the difference in getting the roads clear bewteen downstate & up north, I also see a difference between west Michigan (Kalamazoo) where I used to live---home of the lake effect snowstorms--- and SE Michigan (Ann Arbor) where I am now. I think in part it's because they planned on snow & budgeted for snow removal in Kalamazoo; but I also think in part it's because there are so many roads over here--you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a subdivision.

I know that when we visit our cabin near Cheboygan in the winter, the little road through the woods has always been passible; packed & groomed as the skiiers say.

Our wireless server has been down because of lack of power some place. Congratulations P. Weed. I'm sure it's warmer there in Florida. Not much bad weather here except for cold and high winds. No snow, Thursday night and Friday maybe 6-7". Hi Dunerat, I've been thinking of you. I hope we don't lose our power either. Great pictures, but they sure look cold.

I'm still trying to figure out whether it's a strombolian or plinian eruption. Or, maybe it's hydromagmatic since it involves water. Anyone hazard a guess at its VEI??

I can see the comments rolling in now..... "what the heck is that Capt. talking about this time??" hehe ;-)

The stromboli that I am familiar with usually has some pepperoni and cheese and pizza sauce. Yumm....

Tharrrrrrr she blows!!!

Capt...I would say the VEI is that of Mount Saint Helens, exept smaller.

except, even.

I just love today's photos. I have never seen a waterspout. It is truly awesome!

the waterspout pic is great! i tried to get some myself once and failed miserably. that's why i come here, for pictures like these. :)

ah so the mighty tech has closed it's doors for the day? ;) probably a wise thing.

gotta love a good u.p. snowstorm, eh?

Yah, Capt. Paul, you're being a wize acre or smarty pants whatever. So........explain.

Capt ... it's not the type of eruption that's important. It's whether
the ice it yields is eclogitic or not. You can tell it's eclogitic ice
when you see those little planktonic bottom feeder inclusions
frozen in it.

Lol, I knew that would draw some comments ;-)

Stronbolian and Plinian are eruption types, or types of explosive activity. The VEI is the volcano explosivity index. This rates the eruptive power of a volcano. Although I like Cindy's idea better; much more tasty too!!

Don't confust the top photo with a waterspout; they are 2 completely different animals....

I have to laugh at your explanation of eclogitic ice, dunerat. That was good....

Should be "strombolian"....

C'mon Captain- we know what you mean, it's like what you'd see in the old Book Caddilac hotel before they renovated, you'd just place your back-side over it, right? lol

That should have read, Cadillac, sorry.

Captain - I'd say the VEI is zero-gentle. Of course I'm 600 miles away. I might change my opinion if I was standing over it. It must be strombolian as the eruption occurs rhythmically.

Thanks for asking the question. You got me to look up strombolian, plinian, hydromagmatic, and VEI.

Only Uncle Chuck would think of that!!

At least I'm glad to see people like our comments. We just wish we were back in the Copper Country; we'd invite all the Pastycammers over for a bbq and geology party. ;-)

I see the shape and size of a cinder cone...but that ice looks pretty cinder free. Gotta love having a "resident" geologist on this site, Thanks Capt. Paul!

Capt. Paul : Move UP soon. I'm sure many of us would accept that
invitation!

Just havin fun with you Captain!

If I were the true "resident" geologist, I'd be living in the Copper Country!!

But I'll take the title anyways, hehe....