Actually Eric an error or delay in a synaptic gap sequence could give one the delusion of “pirates on the ice”. So it may still all tie together.
Basically I am just sitting down here in lower Ga. jealous of the fact that the only ice I have is in my freezer. The pieces have some cracks, but no pirates holing up yet.
I believe the true answer to your phenomenon is called Ice Rosettes. They form on ice after a hole has been created and then slightly frozen back over. The new ice is not thick enough yet, so the water current underneath has just enough rise and fall pressure to crack the fragile ice causing those "spider web" effects. At least I think this is what you all are talking about.
