御神渡り、湖を渡す自然の道筋

冬季、全面結氷した湖面に見られる氷堤を指す自然現象。氷湖は気温の変化に合わせ膨張と収縮を繰り返す。独特な炸裂音と共に、氷の表面に亀裂が生じる。そうして出来た亀裂から湖水が湧き上がり薄い氷膜が出来る。この現象が繰り返し起こる事で、湖上に一つの道が出来る。

Omiwatari, a natural pathway across the lake.

A natural phenomenon that refers to the ice banks seen on lakes that are fully frozen over in winter. The glacial lake repeatedly expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature. Cracks appear on the surface of the ice with a distinctive bursting sound. The lake water then rises up through the cracks and forms a thin ice film. The repeated occurrence of this phenomenon creates a path on the lake.