serac
1
9.9
A tall block of ice on a steep part of a glacier
- noun
- /ˈsɛræk/
- Specialized
:
serac
- The main tactic to avoid the dangers of the serac is to be fast, to minimize the time when you're exposed to it.
- crevasses and seracs
- seracs and overhanging ice
Examples
-
Climbers need to be cautious when passing under a large serac, as it can collapse without warning.
-
The serac was the main danger.
-
We could see some of the climbers on the top of the serac.
-
As we ascended the mountain, we marveled at the stunning blue hues of the serac glistening in the sunlight.
-
The guide pointed out the massive serac looming overhead, warning us of its potential danger.
How Big
Surface Forms
Etymology
Serac comes from French sérac, a word mountaineers used for the sharp blocks and towers of glacier ice; think of a serac as an 'ice tower' or big ice block on a glacier. That's why a serac is a large, often dangerous column of ice that can break off and fall.