| Term: | Accumulation |
| Definition: |
All processes by which snow or ice are added to a glacier, this is typically the accumulation of snow, which is slowly transformed into ice; other accumulation processes can include avalanches, wind-deposited snow, and the freezing of rain within the snow pack. NSIDCCryosphere
The addition of ice and snow into a glacier system. This occurs through a variety of processes including precipitation, firnification, and wind transportation of snow into a glacier basin from an adjacent area. All processes that add mass to the snow cover or to a glacier, i.e., typically solid and liquid precipitation, ice deposition from atmospheric water vapour, wind-deposited snow, but also avalanches, etc. (opposite of ablation). IACSSnow 1. All processes that add to the mass of the glacier. 2. The mass gained by the operation of any of the processes of sense 1, expressed as a positive number. The main process of accumulation is snowfall. Accumulation also includes deposition of hoar, freezing rain, solid precipitation in forms other than snow, gain of windborne snow, avalanching and basal accumulation (often beneath floating ice). Unless the rain freezes, rainfall does not constitute accumulation, nor does the addition of debris by avalanching, ashfall or similar processes. IHPGlacierMassBalance Quantity of snow or any other form of water in the solid state which is added to a glacier or snow-field by alimentation; the opposite of ablation. WMOMeteoterm The process of building-up of a pack of snow, refrozen slush, meltwater and firn. Net accumulation for one year is the material left over at the end of the melt-season. Swisseduc In glaciology, the quantity of snow or other solid form of water added to a glacier or snowfield by alimentation; the opposite of ablation. AMSglossary Surface addition of snow to a glacier or snowfield. PhysicalGeography All processes by which snow, ice, or water in any form are added to a glacier, floating ice or snow cover. These include direct precipitation of snow, ice or rain, condensation of ice from vapour, and transport of snow and ice to the glacier. Also used to express the quantity added by these processes. SPRI Quantity of snow, or any other form of water in the solid state, which is added to a glacier, floating ice or a snow cover. WMOHydrology GCW |