superimposed-ice zone
Quick Summary
A superimposed-ice zone is a region where meltwater on the surface of a glacier refreezes, forming a layer of ice within the snowpack. This occurs in areas where temperatures are cold enough for snow to accumulate but also experience periods of melting that allow water to percolate and then freeze.1
These zones are typically found along the margins of ice sheets, such as in Greenland, and are distinct from the "dry-snow zone" where temperatures remain consistently below freezing, preventing significant melting and refreezing. The formation of superimposed ice is a part of the overall mass balance of glaciers, influencing their growth and melt.1
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