Article
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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Join this citizen science project, How Deep Is Your Snow? and measure the snow depth at your place.
The animated video, Snow to ice shows how snow is transformed into firn.
Published:05 August 2009
