Engineering/Science mags: Need help

[berko]

My neighbor has icicles hanging off his roof that are tilting in approximately 20°. Why?

The metal flashing is not bending. The windchime is free hanging for a frame of reference.



Why is this happening?

[RootSkier]

Because the snow they are partially anchored to is sliding down?

[birdboatboy]

Because the wind was blowing when the icicle was forming?

[iceclimb]

wind?



23456

[kchri]

gravity?
wind?
surface tension?
temperature?
atmospheric pressure?
phase of the moon?


i duh know...

[lifts4turns]

I had an isicle anchored directly onto the snow pile, I have no idea how it didn't fall down instantly.

[AsheanMT]

This thread is worthless without pics

[f2f]

I strongly suggest perusing "Bent icicles and spikes" by N. Maeno, L. Makkonen and T. Takahashi. it could be found in "Annals of Glaciology", Volume 19,
Proceedings of the Symposium on Applied Ice and Snow Research held in Rovaniemi, Finland, 18-23 April 1993...

normally, though, many different factors can be to blame: if they bent inwards the little ice dam they're holding on to is sliding as in this picture (see how the tip is correcting by pointing straight down:


if they look like that they're obviously bent by the wind:


and if they look like that they're evidence of glacial movement:

[DharmaBum]

I think his house might be tipping over.

[Lonnie]

The airplane will take off...

[Viva]

Now, suppose someone had mixed some Viagra in with the water, would those icicles be sticking out at 90 degrees?

[adampecush]

probably about 120 degrees...