Japan: Brilliant Mpemba Effect Captured in Hokkaido Amid Massive Cold Wave

As a massive cold wave hit a wide area of Japan on Friday, January 23, social media footage from Hokkaido captured a brilliant display of the Mpemba effect. The video shows boiling water being thrown into the freezing air, where it instantly transforms into a shimmering cloud of ice crystals.

Japan's northern pika

Japan's northern pika

A northern pika, a near-threatened rabbit-like species found only in mountainous regions of Hokkaido, northern Japan, is pictured with food in its mouth on a rock near Lake Shikaribetsu in the town of Shikaoi on Oct. 12, 2023.

Japan's northern pika

Japan's northern pika

A northern pika, a near-threatened rabbit-like species found only in mountainous regions of Hokkaido, northern Japan, is pictured on a rock near Lake Shikaribetsu in the town of Shikaoi on Oct. 12, 2023.

Hot spring offered on frozen lake in Hokkaido

Hot spring offered on frozen lake in Hokkaido

HOKKAIDO, Japan - A man and child enjoy an open-air hot spring in a bathtub set up on the frozen Lake Shikaribetsu in Hokkaido on Feb. 19. Hot spring waters are brought from a nearby hotel through pipes to the bathtub, about 100 meters from the shore.

Hot spring offered on frozen lake in Hokkaido

Hot spring offered on frozen lake in Hokkaido

HOKKAIDO, Japan - A man and child enjoy an open-air hot spring in a bathtub set up on the frozen Lake Shikaribetsu in Hokkaido on Feb. 19. Hot spring waters are brought from a nearby hotel through pipes to the bathtub, about 100 meters from the shore. (Kyodo)

Northern pika in Hokkaido

Northern pika in Hokkaido

A northern pika is spotted in a rocky area near Lake Shikaribetsu in Shikaoi in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 15, 2020.

Northern pika in Hokkaido

Northern pika in Hokkaido

A northern pika is spotted in a rocky area near Lake Shikaribetsu in Shikaoi in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Oct. 15, 2020.