Stalactite Growth beneath Sea Ice

Fresh ice stalactites were observed beneath sea ice in Antarctica. They are hollow, tapering, inverted cones having a base diameter between 10 and 20 centimeters and a tip diameter of 4 to 10 centimeters extending downward about 100 centimeters. The stalactites form when dense, chilled brine drains...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science
Main Author: Paige, Russell A.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1970
Subjects:
Antarc*
Antarctica
Ice Sheet
Sea ice
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.167.3915.171.b
https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.167.3915.171.b
Description
Summary:Fresh ice stalactites were observed beneath sea ice in Antarctica. They are hollow, tapering, inverted cones having a base diameter between 10 and 20 centimeters and a tip diameter of 4 to 10 centimeters extending downward about 100 centimeters. The stalactites form when dense, chilled brine drains downward from the ice sheet into seawater of normal salinity and near-freezing temperature.

Similar Items