Snow accumulation on road surfaces will turn into ice by over-passing traffic, especially heavy traffic. Ice will move by a small amount every time a vehicle passes. Why will it end up in pointed, thorn-like peaks?
Rut formation is a complex process. When snowfall continues and the traffic plies continuously. The snow gets compacted over and again accumulating maximum at those areas of road where the tyres are not in contact with road. The depressions are formed in the road where the tyres tread upon it. The cycle of freezing (due to low temperatures) and melting (due to friction) continues for many days.
Thank you Nadeem Najar for your contribution.
I understand about the ridges and depressions. But it is hard to think that eventually some of those ridges become pointed, almost like thorns sticking out of the ground. I guess the process of rut formation is as you describe it, but in places of continuous run-over by slow-moving big trucks will be responsible for such an artistic and thorny surface formation.
best wishes
I have been associated with winter road maintenance at high altitude for last seven years but have never witnessed these pointed ridges.
These ruts are unusual here, but I noticed them adjacent to a popular coffee house along the lanes reserved for heavy trucks. The drivers of these trucks are also visiting the popular coffee shop!
The pointed ridges must be something to do with extra weight put on snow as it turns into ice repeatedly.
If we could do experiments with weight put on snow, then ice, including cycles of melting and freezing, we should be able to re-create these spikes.
I don't think it is result of any extra weight on snow. I guess it could be some mineral from the ground oozing or precipitating and forming such shapes as in the case of stalagmites.
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