On the shape of ice stalagmites

Abstract

The growth of ice stalagmites obtained by the solidification of impacting droplets on a cooled substrate ($-50^{\circ}$C to $-140^{\circ}$C) is investigated experimentally. It is shown that for any combination of substrate temperature and drop discharge, there is a critical height above which unfrozen water accumulates at the stalagmite's tip, drips and develops into fingers that give a star-shape to the stalagmite. Both the vertical growth and the radial growth of the stalagmite are discussed through the Stefan problem and mass scaling arguments respectively. Finally, a phase diagram that presents the stalagmite aspect ratio in function of the main control parameters is proposed.