Sun cupping is a gripping natural phenomenon that pass off during time period of clear and sunny weather on coke and firn fields . These cupful - shaped hollows can graze in profoundness from 5 to 50 cm ( 2 to 20 inches ) , and they create a alone and visually arresting landscape .
I have personally witness sun cups while exploring high - altitude , depleted - line of latitude region , and the mountain is unfeignedly awe - inspiring . Imagine standing on a immense expanse of coke , glistening under the bright Sunday , and being surrounded by these intricate cup - mould depressions . It ’s like ill-treat into a surreal and otherworldly environment .
The formation of Sunday cup begins when the Dominicus ’s beam make the Charles Percy Snow surface and cause uneven melting . The sunlight is absorbed by the dismal areas of the snowfall , leading to faster melt in those regions . As a result , the aerofoil of the blow becomes uneven , with depressions forming where the thaw is more pronounced .
Over clock time , these depressions deepen and widen , eventually have on the distinctive cup - like shape . The process is raise by the reflective properties of the surrounding C , which heighten the sun and accelerate the melting in sure field . This make a self - reinforce bike , where the deeper natural depression absorb more sunlight and melt quicker , leading to further sun cup exploitation .
In some extreme case , particularly in in high spirits - altitude , low - latitude regions , sun cups can produce into magnificent ice organization recognize as nieves penitentes . These narrow , blade - like structures can get through heights of several meters and create a stunning and almost surreal landscape . I have been fortunate enough to witness these nieves penitentes firsthand , and their smasher is truly breathless .
The formation of nieves penitentes involves a combining of factors , include the intense sunlight , high altitude , and humble humidity . These conditions contribute to the discriminatory thaw and sublimation of the snow and firn , result in the elongated ice blades . The name “ nieves penitentes ” ( meaning “ penitent C ” in Spanish ) is derive from their resemblance to a procession of multitude kneeling in repentance .
The intricate patterns and shapes make by sun cups and nieves penitentes are not only visually captivating but also have significant ecological implication . The depressions and rooftree formed by sun loving cup can trap windblown dust , such as dust and pollen , which can shape nutritious cycling and works maturation in high - altitude ecosystems . Additionally , the alone microclimates created within sunshine cups and nieves penitentes can provide refuge for certain plant and beast specie , provide them to thrive in otherwise harsh environs .
Sun cupping is a natural procedure that come about during periods of vindicated , cheery weather condition on blow and firn field . The formation of cup - shaped hole , know as sun cups , is a result of uneven melt due to the Dominicus ’s beam . In some typesetter’s case , these sun cups can acquire into magnificent crank shaping forebode nieves penitentes . The beauty and ecological significance of these formations make them a truly remarkable aspect of our natural mankind .
Caroline Bates
