Toolik Lake Ice Thawing into Toolik Outlet

Toolik Outlet Ice

Visiting Toolik Outlet for science!

Toolik Outlet. Photo by DJ Kast

I went with Jason Dobkowski and Chris Cook to the Toolik Outlet where they were installing a conductivity sensor.

Chris Cook and Jason Dobkowski installing a conductivity sensor at Toolik Outlet. Photo by DJ Kast Conductivity sensor. Photo by DJ Kast

Toolik Lake is thawing from the winter freeze that was about 2 meters thick. Toolik Lake's top layer ice is thawing and breaking apart and much of the ice is going downstream.

Getting an up close shot of the ice in the middle of the stream. Photo by DJ Kast Ice Closeup. Photo by DJ Kast Ice Lego Scale Photo by DJ Kast Ice on Toolik Outlet. Photo by DJ Kast Underwater Ice photo. Photo by DJ Kast

While the lake thaws it creates what is called candle ice.

Toolik outlet candle ice on the landscape. Photo by DJ Kast

Candle ice develops in columns perpendicular to the surface of the lake. They make a clinking sound when the candles are broken apart and float in the water bumping into each other.

Picking up Candle Ice in the Toolik outlet. Photo by DJ Kast USC Young Scientist Program Flag

Toolik outlet photo with the Polar flag from Mr. Hinkel's fifth grade classroom from Weemes Elementary.

Toolik outlet photo with the Polar flag from Mr. Hinkel's fifth grade classroom from Weemes Elementary. Photo by DJ Kast