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Have you ever skated on a frozen lake? Or even seen a fully frozen lake for the first time? You might be wondering, “Hey, what happens to all the fish?” Well, here’s the thing, lakes don’t completely freeze.
If you’re from a cold climate, this probably isn’t a surprise (or it might be if you’ve never pondered it), but that frozen lake isn’t ice all the way to the bottom.
Usually, a top layer will form on the body of water. It may be so weak that it cracks at the first sign of weight or strong enough to hold an impromptu ice hockey tournament. That’s why you should always check ice’s thickness, and don’t walk on it unless absolutely sure it’s safe.
But what determines the thickness of the ice? And why exactly don’t lakes completely freeze? Let’s look into it.
How Does a Lake Freeze?
A lake is a body of water completely surrounded by land. Most contain freshwater, although saltwater lakes do exist. They come in various sizes and depths and can be found all over the world.
When the outside…
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