Why Do Icicles Have Ribs?

[ralph124c]

Here in Boston we are having ungodly snow and cold…and I am watching the forests of icecles growing from people’s roofs and gutters. They all have a funny feature-the sides are not smooth-they have variations in the diametr-they look knobby.
Why is this? Why wouldn’t they tend to have smooth sides?

[Kimstu]

It sez here:

Icicles grow downward and outward simultaneously but at differing rates.

Horizontal ribbing encircles each new icicle to form a series of progressively smaller rings toward the tip. During active icicle growth, these rings are composed of fragile, thin ice plates which grow randomly outward. Eventually the spaces between the rings are filled with downward flowing melt water.

Vertical ridges form when melt water streams down the icicle exterior, laying a thin track of ice. Continued melt water flow adds additional ice along the same track for as long as the track surface stays liquid.

[Exapno_Mapcase]

There are male icicles and female icicles. That’s how they reproduce so quickly.

However, if you check you’ll find that the male icicles always have one rib fewer than the female icicles.

[Ludovic]

@Exapno_Mapcase

There are male icicles and female icicles.

They’re on the outside, for her pleasure.

[Machine_Elf]

Q: Why do icicles have ribs?
A: For her pleasure.

[caveman]

Sadly, icicle ribs don’t fare as well in the smoker as pork of beef ribs. They dehydrate too quickly.

[spenczar]

@caveman

Sadly, icicle ribs don’t fare as well in the smoker as pork of beef ribs. They dehydrate too quickly.

They’re great for cold cuts, though.

[lieu]

@ralph124c

…and I am watching the forests of icecles growing from people’s roofs and gutters.

You can see the freeze pour the forest?