Water, sand, wind, and low temperatures create unique natural sand columns along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Strange “sand sculptures” have appeared along Lake Michigan in the United States, attracting the attention of photographers in early January. The formation of these structures depends on various factors, including sand, water, and wind conditions, according to physicist Daniel Bonn, director of the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute at the University of Amsterdam.
Sand columns “decorating” the shores of Lake Michigan in Tiscornia Park, with the North Pier lighthouse in the background. (Photo: Terri Abbott)
The sand columns, also known as hoodoos, vary in height from 7.6 cm to 51 cm, said photographer Terri Abbott. She spotted these unusual natural structures on the snowy beach during her visit to Tiscornia Park in St. Joseph, Michigan, on January 8.
The frigid winter temperatures in Michigan have facilitated the formation of these chess-like structures, Bonn explained. “I suspect that there are liquid components in the sand that freeze when it gets cold,” he elaborated. The sandy beach along Lake Michigan is often windy. When sand-laden winds blow against these frozen blocks of ice, two seemingly opposing phenomena occur.
First, some sand grains may adhere to the ice, causing it to grow larger. This results in a cylindrical castle-like structure. Second, the sand-laden wind can erode the sand columns, stripping away sand and causing the cylindrical shapes to become asymmetrical. Some sand grains dislodged from these columns will be carried away elsewhere along the shore.
Photographer Joshua Nowicki also encountered sand columns at Tiscornia Park on January 7 and 8. He noted that he had seen similar structures before and mentioned that they are quite rare but can appear at any time of the year under conditions of wet sand and strong winds lasting several days. In most cases, they are only a few centimeters tall, Nowicki added.
The “sand sculptures” that Nowicki observed this year are among the tallest he has ever photographed, with the largest column reaching about 38 cm in height and a few centimeters in diameter. “Along the shoreline, there are at least six clusters with over 30 sand columns in each cluster,” he said.
Most sand columns do not last long. Typically, within a few days, the wind will completely erode or topple them, according to Nowicki. If temperatures rise above freezing, they will also crumble. Additionally, during winter, they will soon be covered by snow.
Nowicki mentioned that the sand columns at Tiscornia Park collapsed earlier this week as temperatures began to warm up. “Their short lifespan makes them very special. You have to be there at the right moment to see them while their shapes are still distinct,” he said.
