| Term: | Frazil ice |
| Definition: |
Fine spicules, plates, or discoids of ice suspended in water. In rivers and lakes, frazil is formed in supercooled, turbulent water. NOAAHydrology
Fine spicules or plates of ice in suspension in water. NSIDCCryosphere Fine spicules or plates of ice, suspended in water. Frazil ice formation represents the first stage of sea ice growth. The frazil crystals are usually suspended in the top few centimetres of the surface layer of the ocean and give the water an oily appearance. In the open ocean the crystals may form, or be stirred to a depth of several metres by wave-induced turbulence. ASPECT2012 Fine spicules or plates of ice, suspended in water. Bushuyev Fine spicules, or plates of ice, suspended in water. WMOSeaIce In hydrologic terms, fine spicules, plates, or discoids of ice suspended in water. In rivers and lakes, frazil is formed in supercooled, turbulent water. NOAA-NWS Sea ice terminology, meaning fine spicules or plates of ice suspended in water. ECCCanada Accumulation of primary ice crystals in water and/or at the bottom of a water body, formed by supercooled turbulent waters. WMOHydrology 1.An accumulation of frazil in a body of water. 2.The initial stage of ice formation in turbulent water. Frazil ice consists of platelets or discs roughly 1 mm in diameter. These small platelets clump together to form shuga, and eventually (if sufficient open water area exists) form pancake ice. Frazil ice may form in open water leads and around the ice margins in the Arctic, but it is most common in the Antarctic. It may also form in turbulent rivers in winter, particularly in rapids. AMSglossary Fine spicules or plates of ice in suspension in water. SPRI GCW |