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Giant ice disc in Maine river compared to spacecraft

Author
AP,
Publish Date
Wed, 16 Jan 2019, 3:43PM
The disc has attracted attention from local residents. (Photo / AP)
The disc has attracted attention from local residents. (Photo / AP)

Giant ice disc in Maine river compared to spacecraft

Author
AP,
Publish Date
Wed, 16 Jan 2019, 3:43PM

Think of it as a crop circle, but in a river.

A curious formation that's getting attention in Greater Portland is actually a spinning ice disk that is roughly 91 metres wide.

The formation in the Presumpscot River was widely shared on social media and has drawn comparisons to an alien spacecraft, a carousel and the moon.

The oddity drew a crowd that stood mesmerised by the slow-turning disk Tuesday afternoon in Westbrook.

The ice formation is believed to have formed naturally in a part of the river where there's a circular current that creates a whirlpool effect, said Tina Radel, the city's marketing and communications manager.

Locals say they've seen smaller ice discs before, but nothing like this one, Radel said.

Rob Mitchell, who owns a nearby office building, spotted the alien-looking disk Monday morning and immediately notified the city.

Officials say the disc is spinning slowly counter-clockwise, and has served as a big raft for ducks and other birds.  "The ducks were rotating on this big Lazy Susan," Mitchell said.

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