0
Firnification (Snow to ice conversion) • As snow is progressively buried by further snowfall it becomes compacted and eventually metamorphoses into ice. • Key change = air passages are sealed off at a density of ~ 830 kg m-3. • At depth depending on water, temperature, pressure
What else can I help you with?
Why is the weight of snow needed to make glacier ice?
The weight of accumulated snow compresses lower layers, causing them to undergo a process called firnification, where air is squeezed out and the snow turns into firn, a dense, grainy type of snow. Over time, this firn further compresses into glacier ice due to the pressure and weight of the overlying snow and ice layers.
Does the role of pressure in how a glacier is formed?
Yes, pressure plays a crucial role in glacier formation. As snow accumulates over time, the weight of the overlying layers compresses the lower layers, transforming them into denser ice through a process called firnification. This pressure not only compacts the snow but also facilitates the recrystallization of ice, ultimately leading to the thick, flowing ice masses we recognize as glaciers. Without sufficient pressure from accumulated snow and ice, glaciers would not form effectively.
How is snow transformed into glacial ice?
Snow is transformed into glacial ice through a process called firnification, where successive layers of snow are compressed under their weight into firn, a compacted snow with some air pockets. Over time, the firn undergoes further compaction and recrystallization, becoming glacial ice. This process can take several decades to centuries depending on the accumulation rate and temperatures.
What is the process of glacial ice formation?
1, Snowfall, 2, Settling of snow, loose granular consistency as the crystals begin to break up on collapse, and with the weight of overlying snow, plus partial melting. 3, Nivation, annual and diurnal temperature changes lead to thaw-freeze alternation and the conversion of snow into ice crystals. 4, Firn or Neve, increased pressure between individual grains causes pressure melting to eventually change the loose snow into a dull, white structureless mass. 5, Sintering, continued fusion and squeezing out of air as a result of compression by further accumulation. 6, Glacier ice, bluish in colour and containing little air, this may take 40-50 years, depending on the location.
