Snow is changed by ________ into glacial ice.
A) rain
B) basal slip
C) ablation
D) pressure and weathering
E) millions of years of time

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Snow undergoes compaction and recrystallization under the pressure of its own weight, which can cause it to transform into firn (granular snow). With time and increased pressure, firn can transform into glacial ice through the process of pressure and weathering. Rain (A) can accelerate melting and contribute to runoff, but it is not the primary factor in the formation of glacial ice. Basal slip (B) refers to the movement of a glacier along its base due to meltwater lubrication, and while it is an important mechanism of glacial movement, it is not directly related to the formation of glacial ice. Ablation (C) refers to the loss of ice mass through melting, calving, and other processes, which is the opposite of the process that leads to the formation of glacial ice. While millions of years of time (E) can result in the formation of large ice masses, it is not a mechanism of the transformation of snow into glacial ice.

Snow Is Changed by ________ into Glacial Ice