Dark, fine-grained debris on the glacier surface, often forming small, roughly circular patches. See cryoconite hole. The word was introduced by Nordenski
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.
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).
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 s
ub-metre-scale spatial variability in ablation. See also weathering crust.
The boundary between cryotic and non-Cryotic Ground as indicated by the position of the 0C isotherm in the ground. The Permafrost Base and the boundaries between noncryotic and cryotic portions of the
Active Layer constitute Cryofronts. The Freezing Front may lag behind the Cryofront as it moves downwards during annual freezing of the Active Layer as a result of freezing-point depression.
The combination of thermo-physical, physico-chemical and physico-mechanical processes occurring in freezing, frozen and thawing earth materials. Specific processes of Cryogenesis include water migrati
on during freezing and thawing of the ground, Frost Heave, heat and mass (moisture) exchange, regelation and Gelifluction.