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Snow and ice density

A small dataset showing the typical densities of snow and ice.

Typical densities of snow and ice (kg/m³)New snow (immediately after falling in calm)50-70Damp new snow100-200Settled snow200-300Depth hoar100-300Wind packed snow350-400Firn400-830Very wet snow and firn700-800Glacier ice830-917

Source: Paterson, W.S.B. 1994. The Physics of Glaciers .

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Published: 5 August 2009,Updated: 5 August 2009