Depth hoar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Depth hoares are large crystals occurring at the base of a snowpack that form from when uprising water vapor freezes onto existing snow crystal. Depth hoares are sparkly large grains with facets that can be cup-shaped and that are up to 10 mm in diameter. Depth hoares are loose granules that run through fingers and that bond and adhere to each other poorly, highly increasing the risk for avalanches.

[edit] External links

• The Avalanche Encyclopedia, extensive summary with animation of formation process