| Term: | Cryoconite hole |
| Definition: |
A small cylindrical hole on the surface of a glacier, formed by patches of cryoconite that absorb more short-wave radiation than the surrounding ice, melting downwards at a faster rate and adding to sub-metre-scale spatial variability in ablation. See also weathering crust. IHPGlacierMassBalance
A small cylindrical hole on the surface of a glacier, formed by small patches of debris that absorb more radiation than the surrounding ice, and melt downwards at a faster rate. Swisseduc A small pit in an ice surface produced by the sinking of a particle of dust of cosmic origin (known as cryoconite, a fine-grained dark-colored substance). AMSglossary GCW |