Scientists since long have been trying to identify the thing responsible for the formation of white hair ice. But now researchers through a new research were successful in determining the root cause behind this. The findings of the study were published in the journal Biogeosciences.

As per the study researchers, these delicate white strands of hair-resembling ice appear as a result of a complex process, involving specific weather conditions.

It has been said that the curiosity of Christian Mätzler from the University of Bern, Switzerland. Mätzler and his team began investigating into the matter by conducting a multitude of tests, from melting the ice strands to attempting to produce it themselves.

Earlier Alfred Wegener, who tried to understand how this hair ice form, theorized that a mucelium could be the reason behind its occurrence. But Mätzler in order to prove Wegener's theory proceeded to treating rotting tree branches with scalding water.

By killing the fungal populations within the branches they treated, they ensured that hair ice would no longer be produced.

Mätzler said in a statement that if the fungal populations are not present in the wood, ice forms at the same rate, but as a crust-like structure. Furthermore, with the help of biologist Gisela Preuß, the team of researchers was successful in identifying the responsible fungus.

The team said, "The action of the fungus is to enable the ice to form thin hairs - with a diameter of about 0.01 mm (0.0004 inches) - and to keep this shape over many hours at temperatures close to 0°C (32°F)".