Diamond-like ice covers Japan's coast

Transparent ice blocks that glow orange or jade appear only on the coasts around the Tokachi River estuary, Japan.

According to Nature World News, transparent ice blocks only appear in Japan and drift to the shores around the Tokachi River estuary every winter.

These ice crystals are eye-catching because they sparkle like diamonds. Many people call them “jewel ice” or “Tokachi River ice.” The jewel ice glows orange or jade, depending on the time of day and the color of the sky.

According to Metro UK, the Tokachi River estuary freezes over in winter. Blocks of ice then break off, drift across the sea, and are washed ashore by the tide.

"This is the first time I've seen this type of ice. I've never seen a sea ice like this. It's just river ice, it doesn't contain salt so it's transparent," said Peter Wadhams, an ocean physicist at the University of Cambridge, UK.

Sparkling ice covers the beach around the mouth of the Tokachi River, Japan. Photo: Masami Goto/Sebun Photo/Amana Images.

Meanwhile, a Japanese tourist information site offers two explanations for this type of ice. It could be that the water freezes slowly, allowing time for impurities and bubbles to escape. As a result, the ice is cleaner and less opaque. Alternatively, its transparency could simply be due to the Tokachi River's clean and pure water.

The ice jade first gained attention in 2015 when photos of the fascinating natural phenomenon were posted on social media. People flocked to see the ice blocks covering the shoreline and melting into the sand.

According to VNE