1.) If you are sensitive to magic, or have been in places where extreme amounts of magic have been felt, it does feel a little like that. Similar in a way to the rift, yes. A kind of pressure in the air. But powers are working fine around it. At least for now.

2.) No, it just looks like the ice and rock are being worn down and crumbling. Almost like it’s consuming the earth/ground itself.

3.) There is no wildlife, though you can’t tell if that’s because something happened to them or if they are staying as far from it as they can. And unfortunately the air currents are a bit unpredictable all over this world, so it’s impossible to tell if they’re changing at all.