Yukimarimo at Dome C, Antarctica

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: IGOR PETENKO
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2016
• Subjects: Antarctic glaciology; atmosphere/ice/ocean interactions; snow/ice surface processes; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Antarctic; Dome Charlie; Antarc*; Antarctica; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2016.30; https://doaj.org/article/34a2ee6afc9744ba8c3209fdcbec18b2

Balls of frost (yukimarimo) up to 12 cm in diameter and weighing up to 14 g were observed forming in light winds in the temperature range, −70 to −60 °C at Dome Charlie, Antarctica, during the 2014 winter. Their density ranged from 15 to 60 kg m−3. Meteorological conditions during four formation periods are tabulated. Their formation seems to be due to a clumping of crystals caused by electrostatic attraction, followed by the collection of hoarfrost crystals while rolling along the snow surface.