As winter progresses in the canadian rockies, and as the ice begins to form and thicken, an interesting phenomenon occurs. Methane gasses produced at the floor of lakebeds from decaying plant and other matter will rise to the surface. As the ice begins to form, these bubbles will get trapped at the surface and develop into these flat bubble shapes. The process continues to occur, and the structures get deeper until they are many layers thick, creating an incredible layering and 3d effect.