Omiwatari is a natural phenomenon that occurs on lakes such as Lake Suwa. In winter the entire lake surface freezes, and, due to the temperature change, the volume of the surface ice changes. When the volume increases, sections of the ice push against each other. When the volume decreases, the ice sections pull apart. This causes the ice to make noise, crack and rise, forming what is called a; pressure ridge. In Lake Suwa, these pressure ridges form a path that can extend for several miles. Japanese people call it Omiwatari or “God’s Crossing” instead of a pressure ridge… it’s romantic, isn’t it? Unfortunately, because of global warming, it’s getting harder and harder to see one.
