The photos above show slabs of ice photographed on the south shore of
Lake Superior, near
Marquette, Michigan, Many slabs are 3-4 ft (1 m) thick and exhibit multiple
layering (right photo). Layers may form when water leaks through fissures in the ice. The overflow water layer can build to several inches deep, and in very cold air masses it'll quickly freeze. At the time these photos were taken, early April of 2014, the ice was starting to lose its structure. Just by touching it shards of straw-like ice would break off. Note the
bluish color of the thicker slabs. As of May 6, ice still hugs the shore as far as the eye can see. Summer here seems a long way off.
