Watch the moment gales turned a Cornish beach into a foam party
Ice cream anyone?!
Last updated 1st Nov 2021
This is the moment the weekend's strong winds whipped up what looks like a foam party on a beach in west Cornwall!
Elizabeth Dale shared the sea foam video social media, saying: "Bit frothy down Lizard way".
However this is not the first time we have seen the Duchy's beaches covered in what looks like whippy ice cream.
Locals shared photos and videos from Porthleven back in February, describing the scene as white lava or whipped cream.
Andy Marchant posted these images showing the foam-covered beach and flecks of foam blowing up onto the harbour front.
What is sea foam and how does it form?
Sea foam, or spume, is created when the ocean is disturbed by wind and waves.
The surreal phenomenon is actually more common than you might think, especially during Cornwall's stormy weather!
The National Ocean Service says: "If you scoop up some water from the ocean in a clear glass and look at it closely, you'll see that it's chock full of tiny particles.
"Seawater contains dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae, detergents and other pollutants, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic and artificial matter.
"If you shake this glass of ocean water vigorously, small bubbles will form on the surface of the liquid.
"Sea foam forms in this way - but on a much grander scale - when the ocean is agitated by wind and waves.
"Each coastal region has differing conditions governing the formation of sea foams".