Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1907 — The Arctic Region. [ARTICLE]

The Arctic Region.

Explorers who penetrate the Arctic and Antarctic seas have a chance to observe one of tbe strangest phenomena In nature, that of smoke rising from the sea. Wherever the temperature falls to 15 degrees below zero clouds of steaming vapor ascend from the ocean to be immediately frozen into tiny particles of ice and dropped once more Into the water. The same thing takes place on land, the vapor rising from the snow and even from the bodies of the explorers themselves. In this case, however, the ice particles fall on tbe ground and make a wierd rustling, like the swish of a silk dress. At 40 degrees below zero the sap of trees is turned to ice, and the trunks burst asunder with a sharp report. These mysterious sounds and sights are awe Inspiring to all who do not know their cause, and they may account for some of the strange tales that are told of the frozen north. Natural light at sea Is a much more common phenomenon. As the screw of a steamer churns the water under certain conditions you may see the waves glowing angrily where they have been disturbed. This is called phosphorescence, and scientists are not agreed as to its cause.