The opening of deep, often near-vertical fractures in the brittle upper layer of a glacier as it flows over uneven bedrock, around a bend, or through zones of extending flow that stretch the ice faster than it can deform plastically. Crevasses can reach tens of metres deep, are frequently hidden by a thin snow bridge that makes them a serious hazard to travel on glaciated terrain, and typically close again as the ice moves into a zone of compression further downstream.
Facts
Timescale
Timescale (category) Process Type Connections
Sources
1. Crevasse (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia infobox 'Lead section' = 'A crevasse is a deep crack that forms in a glacier or ice sheet. Cr...' on 'Crevasse'View the Source 2. Crevasse Formation (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroductionQuote, Introduction
A crevasse is a deep crack that forms in a glacier or ice sheet. Crevasses form as a result of the movement and resulting stress associated with the shear stress generated when two semi-rigid pieces above a plastic substrate have different rates of movement.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.