Glacial Ice Formation
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Freshly-fallen snow has a density of 50 to 70 kg m-3. Firn, or partially compacted snow that has no pore space remaining between the flakes or crystals, has a density of 400 to 830 kg m-3. Glacial ice has a density of 830 to 923 kg m-3. This process takes more than a hundred years (see Figure 10.11). Figure 10.12 shows a cross-section with snow at the top, blue glacial ice at the bottom, and firn in between.
Glacial Ice Formation
Figure 10.12 Scientist collecting snow and ice samples from the wall of a snow pit.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1216/f/images/firn1.gif
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