An icy aquatic environment depicting a frozen beach in the United States. Picture: Unsplash
For most South Africans, the concept of a frozen beach is as far-fetched as it sounds.
With the country boasting a warm climate synonymous with sunny weather, the odds of venturing onto an ice-coated beach are virtually non-existent.
However, for TikTokker Busi Global, a South African now living in Pennsylvania, winter has unleashed a breathtaking spectacle that she couldn't resist sharing.
In an exuberant TikTok video, Busi and her husband ventured out to witness the marvel of a frozen beach after discovering a nearby lake encased in ice.
“After we saw the lake was frozen, we thought to go and check if the same was true for the beach,” she relayed excitedly in the video.
Walking on frozen waves, she exclaimed, “This is wild!”, as the couple embraced the unique winter landscape.
@busi.global ♬ original sound - Busi Global
The couple's experience in Pennsylvania has been marked by a bitter chill, with temperatures plummeting to an astonishing -9 degrees Celsius this winter.
“After moving to Canada, I learnt that not all beaches have salty water. I always just assumed that the beach had salty water. But some do have fresh water. I think this one is a freshwater beach,” explained Busi, highlighting her newfound appreciation of the diverse aquatic environments in her new home.
Reactions to her video have sparked a flurry of comments from amused netizens.
User @sam.locco_ quipped about the extreme weather, “My sister if we are to have such heavy winter weather, I’m telling you we would have stage 9 load shedding 😂😂.”
Another user, @aziemgwili, humorously expressed doubts about walking on the ice, saying, “My trust issues and fear of ocean wouldn’t allow to walk on that frozen water because what if it moves and suddenly I’m deep in the ocean? 😂😂😭.”
According to data from the US National Ocean Service, while ocean water can freeze, it does so at lower temperatures compared to freshwater.
Freshwater freezes at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit), while seawater freezes at around -2 degrees Celsius (28.4 degrees Fahrenheit) due to its salt content.
Interestingly, the ice formed from seawater holds very little salt, allowing it to be converted into potable water when melted.
It's noteworthy that at least 15% of the world’s oceans are covered by sea ice for some portion of the year, with an average coverage of approximately 10 million square miles.
As seawater cools, its density increases until it reaches the freezing point; in contrast, freshwater reaches its maximum density at 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit), remaining liquid until it freezes.
Busi's adventure on this frozen beach serves as a reminder of nature's extraordinary phenomena and the unique experiences awaiting those willing to embrace the great outdoors, even in the bitter cold.