The end is near!

Each spring, Alaska experiences a phenomenon known as “Melt-out,” when all the collected snow finally begins to melt, sending sheets of water downhill and generally making a mucky, muddy mess out of everything. Usually this occurs near the end of April or even early May. This year, however, is different. The recent eruptions of Mt. Redoubt spread volcanic ash all over the south-central part of the state. That ash, now laying on top of much of the snow in the area, is acting like a solar blanket, transferring the heat of the sun into the normally reflective snow.

We may still have some snowfall left this year, but the damage has been done. We’re starting to see patches of ground where there has only been snow since October. It’s going to be really messy for a month, but then we get to enjoy the Alaskan summer!

The snow is doing just fine where the ash didn’t stick to it, making a big patchwork of white splotches and sunken gray sections all over the place.

It even works on a smaller scale, melting around small bits of white snow, leaving little towers.

Or leaving fragile glass-like footprints, suspended above the melting snow.