‘Breathtaking’ spinning ice vortex forms in freezing river phenomenon

A bizarre chilly weather phenomenon has formed a swirling ice disk has formed in the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine.

The 'vortex' ice circle has been drawing in onlookers annually since it first appeared in the river in 2019 and garnered worldwide attention, before partially forming again in 2020.

The ice disk has since reemerged this winter as a video posted to the Facebook page of The Frog and Turtle gastropub by chef and owner, James Tranchemontagne.

The footage shows the view of the rotating ice from the venue as the bushes along the riverbank have been covered with snow.

Speaking to The Boston Globe, James said: "As of this morning it moved toward the riverbank and locked itself in. It’s already anchored."

He added that the ice disk was a welcome distraction for the town of more than 20,000 “in the midst of this Covid-19 hell.”

However, safety warnings have been issued by city officials as visitors can take pictures of the ice but it is not safe to venture out onto it.

City of Westbrook, who now have their Facebook cover image set to the ice disk, wrote: "IceDisk2022 is frozen in place on this frigid morning, but who knows what Mother Nature has in store for it next?

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"Regardless, it’s still breathtaking. Stay tuned."

Scientists have explained that the ice disk form because of the river’s current and vortex under the ice, which causes ice sheets to spin and form a circle.

Tourists have since flocked to the site and are hoping that the ice will start to rotate again when temperatures get slightly warmer.

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Sandra Brocious told NECN: "It's awesome. "I wish it were spinning."

Before adding that she would visit again later in the week to see if warmer temperatures would budge the disk.

Kim Gass of Raymond, Maine, also said: "With a little warm weather, I think it'll start to spin again. It's like going and hiking on a trail, the trail's never the same the second time."

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