Mysterious rotating ice circle appears in northeast China

A rotating ice circle over Liaohe River in Faku County of northeast China’s Liaoning Province has attracted hundreds of visitors since it was discovered this week.

Photo shows a rotating ice circle over Liaohe River in Faku County, Liaoning Province. [Photo: Shine.cn]

The circle looks extremely round - like a watch surface from an aerial view - and is surrounded with frozen and solid ice as it rotates at a constant speed on the river. 

The ice circle looks extremely round and is surrounded with frozen and solid ice as it rotates at a constant speed on the river. [Photo: Shine.cn]

It can still rotate with dozens of people standing on it, which has been tested out since becoming an attraction over the past few days.

The ice circle can still rotate with dozens of people standing on it. [Photo: Shine.cn]

According to scientific research, the phenomenon is sometimes seen in the North Pole, Scandinavia or Canada. The accelerated river flow can trigger rotational shear force, cutting the ice free and making it rotate slowly. The round shape is formed by friction.