Wednesday, August 5, 2015

How does a hovercraft break ice?

In an "ingeniously subversive" way. Well, maybe subversive is overstating it a little. 
I was surprised to learn that, in addition to a regular icebreaker, the St. Lawrence seaway uses a hovercraft to break up the ice. (Rick Mercer got to drive the hovercraft and was doing donuts on the ice.)

When I watched the show "Ice Road Truckers" the drivers were warned (and fined) for driving more than walking speed over the ice, which sets up a standing wave that can break the ice. The hovercraft uses this principle to good effect. 

Cool!

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