Which indicators warrant caution when assessing ice safety?

• A. Cracks in the ice.
• B. Flowing water near the ice.
• C. Voids or gaps under the ice.
• D. All of the above.

Answer: (D)

Assessing ice safety hinges on recognizing signs of instability. Cracks reveal that the ice has experienced stress and may fail under load. Flowing water near ice indicates active melting and undercuts the underside, thinning the ice and creating weak zones rather than solid support. Voids or gaps beneath the ice mean there is missing material beneath the surface, so the visible ice thickness can be deceiving and the underside may be hollow or unsupported. Each indicator raises red flags, and when they appear together the danger is pronounced. Therefore, these indicators all warrant caution.