An ice wedge is a crack in the ground formed by a narrow or thin piece of ice that measures up to 3–4 metres wide at ground level and extends downwards into the ground up to several metres. During the winter months, the water in the ground freezes and expands. Once temperatures reach -17 degrees Celsius or lower, the ice that has already formed acts like a solid and expands to form cracks in the surface known as ice wedges. As this process continues over many years, ice wedges can grow up to the size of a swimming pool. The ice wedge usually appears in a polygonal pattern known as ice wedge polygons.
Famous quotes containing the words ice and/or wedge:
“Not to like ice cream is to show oneself uninterested in food.”
—Joseph Epstein (b. 1937)
“When we understand that man is the only animal who must create meaning, who must open a wedge into neutral nature, we already understand the essence of love. Love is the problem of an animal who must find life, create a dialogue with nature in order to experience his own being.”
—Ernest Becker (1924–1974)