jégtömb

Jégtömb is a block of ice, a solid mass formed by the freezing of water into a roughly cuboid shape. The term covers both natural ice blocks and those produced artificially for cooling, storage, or artistic purposes.

Natural jégtömbök form when surface water freezes and chunks break off or grow in size in lakes, rivers, or seas. In polar and alpine environments, brash ice and ice floes are composed of many such blocks. Large blocks can also be produced by calving glaciers, where chunks detach from a glacier front and drift or ground in shallow waters.

Artificial jégtömbök are manufactured by freezing water in controlled molds or tanks. They are used to cool perishable goods during transport and storage, for temporary cooling in construction sites, and in ice sculpture and related displays. The physical properties of ice blocks depend on the water source and production method; typical ice density is about 0.92 g/cm³ and the melting point is near 0°C. They are usually sized and shaped to fit practical needs, ranging from small blocks a few tens of centimeters across to large blocks used in industrial cooling.

Handling ice blocks requires caution due to their weight and slipperiness. In natural settings, floating blocks pose navigation hazards to ships and risk of sudden movement in currents. In industrial contexts, proper storage in insulated or refrigerated environments minimizes sublimation and melting.

See also: ice cube, iceberg, ice trade.