About this episode
A deep dive into Mount Zao’s awe-inspiring juhyo—giant, feathery ice formations sculpted by the perfect storm of geography, biology, and brutal weather. We break down ice-snow accretion, the role of the hardy Maris fir, and how supercooled droplets and wind angle create the feathered, low-density “soft rime” that gives these giants their surreal shapes. Learn about shrimp-tail ibinoshippo structures, rapid growth rates around 0.45 cm/hour, and how researchers use the WRF model to simulate conditions. These icy forests aren’t just spectacular; they’re time capsules of atmospheric chemistry revealing how regional air moves through the world.
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