Luonnonjään

Luonnonjään, or natural ice, refers to ice that forms and persists in its solid state through natural processes. This can occur in various environments, including polar regions, high-altitude areas, and even in some terrestrial settings. The formation of natural ice is primarily driven by the freezing of water, which can happen at or below the freezing point of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

In polar regions, natural ice takes the form of sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheets. Sea ice is a layer of ice that forms on the surface of oceans and seas, while glaciers are large persistent bodies of ice that form from the accumulation and compaction of snow. Ice sheets, on the other hand, are vast expanses of ice covering more than 50,000 square kilometers, found on continental land masses.

High-altitude natural ice includes ice caps and ice fields. Ice caps are dome-shaped masses of ice that cover less than 50,000 square kilometers, while ice fields are smaller areas of ice that do not cover a significant portion of a land mass.

Terrestrial natural ice can form in caves and rock crevices due to the seepage of water and its subsequent freezing. This process can also occur in soil, leading to the formation of frost.

The study of natural ice is important for understanding climate change, as it provides insights into past climates and can help predict future changes. Additionally, natural ice plays a crucial role in ecosystems, providing habitats for various species and influencing local weather patterns.