Glacier Formation

Question 1

What is the term for snow that has survived a summer melt season?

Answer 1

Firn or névé

Firn is crucial in the transformation of snow to glacial ice.

Question 2

What are the three main processes involved in the transformation of snow to glacial ice?

Answer 2

• Compaction
• Expulsion of air
• Growth of an interlocking system of ice crystals

These processes significantly change the structure and density of the material.

Question 3

What is the density of dry fresh snow?

Answer 3

100 kg m⁻³

This density is primarily due to the large volume of air in fresh snow.

Question 4

What is the density of glacier ice?

Answer 4

900 kg m⁻³

Glacier ice has almost no air, making it significantly denser than fresh snow.

Question 5

How does climate affect the transformation of snow to glacial ice?

Answer 5

The transformation rate depends on climate conditions

High snowfall and significant melting can accelerate the process.

Question 6

What happens to firn when older snow is quickly buried by fresh accumulation?

Answer 6

It gets compacted

This compaction is essential for the formation of glacial ice.

Question 7

True or False: The transformation of firn can be extremely slow in areas with low accumulation rates and little melting.

Answer 7

True

This indicates that environmental conditions play a critical role in glacier formation.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Glacier ice is an aggregate of irregularly shaped, interlocking single _______.

Answer 8

crystals

The size of these crystals can range from a few millimeters to several tens of centimeters.