Formation of slush on floating ice

Abstract

Slush layers often form after snowfall on floating ice sheets, producing after they freeze, the upper layer of white, bubbly ice that is often found. The stability conditions for slush layers and snow on top of floating ice are examined in some detail, the patterns of flooding and the reasons for them are discussed, and it is pointed out that it may be fairly common for snow layers on floating ice to be unstable with respect to slush formation. If there were some reason to desire thicker ice layers, slush formation could be stimulated rather easily in some conditions by making holes in the ice. In some other conditions, the instability is probably conditional, in that some flooding must take place before further flooding can be spontaneous.