fast ice
Also known as: landfast ice
Quick Summary
Fast ice is sea ice that is attached to the shore or seafloor, making it immobile. It forms by freezing seawater or by pack ice becoming fixed in place. While it moves vertically with tides and waves, it does not drift across the ocean like pack ice. Fast ice can grow by freezing in place or by pack ice attaching to the coast, seafloor, or icebergs. Pieces of fast ice may break off and become part of the mobile pack ice.12
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