Levyjääkiteet

Levyjääkiteet, often translated as "disk ice crystals" or "ice disk crystals," are a type of atmospheric ice crystal that forms in clouds. They are characterized by their flattened, disk-like shape, typically with a hexagonal or near-hexagonal outline. These crystals are composed of frozen water and their formation is influenced by temperature and humidity conditions within the atmosphere.

The precise conditions under which levyjääkiteet form are still a subject of scientific study, but they are generally believed to develop in specific temperature ranges, often in the presence of particular atmospheric aerosols that act as condensation nuclei. Their thin, flat structure can affect how light interacts with them, potentially contributing to optical phenomena in the sky.

While not as commonly discussed as other ice crystal forms like hexagonal plates or columns, levyjääkiteet are a part of the diverse array of ice particle shapes found in Earth's atmosphere. Their presence, like all ice crystals, plays a role in cloud microphysics, influencing cloud reflectivity, precipitation processes, and radiative transfer. Understanding these less common ice crystal habits helps scientists refine atmospheric models and gain a more complete picture of cloud behavior and its impact on climate.