Growth Forms of Large Frost Crystals in the Antarctic

Abstract

AbstractA variety of frost-crystal forms found growing from the vapor in ice caves and tunnels in the Antarctic are described and illustrated. Complex layered structures found within large, skeletal crystals are ascribed to the action of the temperature gradient. Some novelc-axis growth forms and a rare type of bicrystal growth – accelerated growth in a particular direction along a particular grain boundary – are also shown.