frazil
- noun
- /ˈfreɪzəl/
- UK
:
hielo frazil
- During the cold winter nights, frazil ice formed on the surface of the lake, creating a beautiful pattern of needle-shaped crystals.
- frazil ice
Examples
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The river was covered in frazil ice, making it difficult for boats to navigate through the frozen water.
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As the temperature dropped, we observed frazil ice accumulating along the edges of the river, sparkling under the moonlight.
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These refugia are currently protected and are little affected by dynamic ice, such as frazil ice deposition or floating ice sheets, because of either their position in the channel or their structural richness.
Academic text (2013) -
Off-channel habitats are also less affected by ice dynamics, such as the downstream transport of frazil ice in early winter or moving ice during breakup (Komadina-Douthwright et al. 1997).
Academic text (2013) -
Water depth and cover availability are of minor importance for refuge quality in winter; adult fish retreat to either open areas during midwinter floods (Harvey et al. 1999) or to shallow habitats during frazil ice events (Brown RS et al. 2000).
Academic text (2013)
Synonyms
4
2.8
A small piece of frozen water that forms in clouds, snow, or frost
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word frazil means loose, needle-shaped ice crystals that form in moving water, especially in rivers and lakes. A helpful way to remember frazil is to hear it like freeze ('to freeze') and imagine tiny ice needles swirling under the river surface, which is why the word refers to the first thin ice on cold waters.