answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Snow is transformed into glacial ice by time and pressure. If the glacier and the snow on top never melts, it continually becomes more compact.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

βˆ™ 5mo ago

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.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How is snow transformed into glacial ice?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

What causes snow to turn into glacial ice?

Snow turns into glacial ice through a process called compaction. As layers of snow accumulate over time, the weight of the upper layers compresses the deeper layers. This compaction squeezes out air pockets, causing the snow grains to bond together and form dense, solid ice. Over centuries, the continued pressure and melting/refreezing cycles further transform the snow into glacial ice.


What is a glacial system?

A glacial system is a complex combination of glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps, and icebergs. It involves the movement of ice and snow, as well as the processes of accumulation and ablation of ice. Glacial systems play a crucial role in shaping the Earth's landscape and influencing global climate patterns.


What is glacial budget?

A glacial budget is essentially the balance of a glacier from the input of snow, ice, and water. Accumulation and loss of ice from melting are all data used to figure this budget.


What forms glacial ice?

Glacial ice forms from the compaction and recrystallization of snow over many years. As new layers of snow accumulate on top of older layers, the weight and pressure cause the snow to slowly turn into dense ice. This process removes air and impurities, resulting in clear blue ice commonly seen in glaciers.


Is glacial ice different from regular ice?

Yes, glacial ice is formed over a long period by the accumulation and compaction of snow, which results in a denser and clearer ice compared to regular ice formed in water bodies. Additionally, glacial ice may contain air bubbles, dust, and other particles trapped during the freezing process, giving it a distinctive appearance.

Related questions

What causes snow to turn into glacial ice?

Snow turns into glacial ice through a process called compaction. As layers of snow accumulate over time, the weight of the upper layers compresses the deeper layers. This compaction squeezes out air pockets, causing the snow grains to bond together and form dense, solid ice. Over centuries, the continued pressure and melting/refreezing cycles further transform the snow into glacial ice.


What causes snow to turn turn to glacial ice?

Time, pressure, temperature, and compaction.


What is a glacial system?

A glacial system is a complex combination of glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps, and icebergs. It involves the movement of ice and snow, as well as the processes of accumulation and ablation of ice. Glacial systems play a crucial role in shaping the Earth's landscape and influencing global climate patterns.


What is a synonym for glacier?

berg, floe, glacial mass, ice field, ice floe, iceberg, icecap, snow slide


What is glacial budget?

A glacial budget is essentially the balance of a glacier from the input of snow, ice, and water. Accumulation and loss of ice from melting are all data used to figure this budget.


What is a glacial ice made from?

Glaciers form in areas where the summers are not warm enough to melt snow. The snow gradually piles up over many years and the weight of all that snow compacts the snow layers below it into solid ice.


What forms glacial ice?

Glacial ice forms from the compaction and recrystallization of snow over many years. As new layers of snow accumulate on top of older layers, the weight and pressure cause the snow to slowly turn into dense ice. This process removes air and impurities, resulting in clear blue ice commonly seen in glaciers.


Is glacial ice different from regular ice?

Yes, glacial ice is formed over a long period by the accumulation and compaction of snow, which results in a denser and clearer ice compared to regular ice formed in water bodies. Additionally, glacial ice may contain air bubbles, dust, and other particles trapped during the freezing process, giving it a distinctive appearance.


What is a glacial budget?

A glacial budget is the balance between the accumulation (formation of snow and ice) and ablation (loss of ice through melting, sublimation, or calving) of a glacier. It is an essential concept in understanding how glaciers grow, shrink, or remain stable over time. Monitoring changes in the glacial budget helps scientists assess the impacts of climate change on glaciers.


How cold was the titanic iceberg?

The question is not "how cold" but "how dense". Obviously it was cold enough to be frozen but this is also glacial ice. Glacial ice is not frozen water. It's densely compacted snow, so it's six times denser than the ice in your freezer.


What happens to snow packed down by a great force?

When snow is packed down by a great force, it becomes denser and more compact. This can create a layer of firn, which is partially compacted snow between fresh snow and glacial ice. Over time, this firn can further compress into glacial ice through the process of metamorphism.


How is a glacier formed the melting and refreezing of snow the weathering and erosion of snow the erosion and deposition of ice the melting and precipitation of snow?

A glacier is formed through the accumulation of snow that compresses into ice over time. As more snow falls and compacts, it displaces air and forms glacial ice. This process is aided by the weight of the overlying snow, which causes the lower layers to compress and recrystallize into ice.