inactive ice wedge

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Inactive ice wedges are ice wedges that are no longer growing. They do not crack in the winter, and therefore, no new ice is added. This is in contrast to active ice wedges, which are still growing and crack during cold periods. Inactive ice wedges may have a flat top, especially if thawing has occurred. Ice wedges are wedge-shaped masses of ice found in permafrost, often forming polygonal networks. They originate from thermal contraction cracks in the ground that fill with meltwater and freeze, with new ice added over many years.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

permafrost
Active wedges, inactive wedges, and ice-wedge casts
Ice wedges may be classified as active, inactive, and ice-wedge casts. Active ice wedges are those that are actively growing. The wedge may not crack every year, but during many or most years cracking does occur, and an increment of…
Read More
Ice wedges may be classified as active, inactive, and ice-wedge casts. Active ice wedges are those that are actively growing. The wedge may not crack every year, but during many or most years cracking does occur, and an increment of…
Read More