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.
Figure 10.11 Glacial Ice Formation. (Luis María Benítez, 2005. Public Domain).
Source: Luis María Benítez, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Glacial_ice_formation_LMB.png
This work is in the Public Domain.
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 This work is in the Public Domain.