Definitions for icefall
ˈaɪsˌfɔlice·fall

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. icefallnoun

   a steep part of a glacier resembling a frozen waterfall

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. icefallnoun

   A relatively rapid and turbulent flow of ice, somewhat analogous to a waterfall

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Icefall

   An icefall is a portion of certain glaciers characterized by relatively rapid flow and chaotic crevassed surface, caused in part by gravity. The term icefall is formed by analogy with the word waterfall, which is a similar phenomenon of the liquid phase but at a more spectacular speed. When ice movement of a glacier is faster than elsewhere, because the glacier bed steepens or narrows, and the flow cannot be accommodated by plastic deformation, the ice fractures, forming crevasses. Where two fractures meet, seracs (or ice towers) can be formed. When the movement of the ice slows down, the crevasses can coalesce, resulting in the surface of the glacier becoming smoother.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. icefall

   An icefall is a steep, often dangerous section of glaciated terrain where the glacier descends rapidly, causing huge chunks of ice to fracture and tumble down, similar to a waterfall but with ice. It results from the rapid movement of ice in a glacier over a sloping or unstable terrain.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Icefallnoun

   a frozen waterfall, or mass of ice resembling a frozen waterfall

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Icefall

   An icefall is a portion of some glaciers characterized by rapid flow and a chaotic crevassed surface. Perhaps the most conspicuous consequence of glacier flow, icefalls occur where the glacier bed steepens and/or narrows. The term icefall is formed by analogy with the word waterfall, a similar, but much higher speed, flow phenomenon. Most glacier ice flows at speeds of a few hundred metres per year or less. However, the flow of ice in an icefall may be measured in kilometres per year. Such rapid flow cannot be accommodated by plastic deformation of the ice. Instead, the ice fractures forming crevasses. Intersecting fractures form ice columns or seracs. These processes are imperceptible for the most part, however, a serac may collapse or topple abruptly and without warning. This behavior often poses the biggest risk to mountaineers climbing in an icefall. Below the icefall, the glacier bed flattens and/or widens and the ice flow slows. Crevasses close and the glacier surface becomes much smoother and easier to traverse. Icefalls vary greatly in height. The Roosevelt Glacier icefall, on the north face of Mount Baker, is about 730 metres high. The ice cliff of the left side of the ice fall and above the debris covering the glacier is 20 to 40 metres high. Typical of mountain glaciers, this icefall forms as the ice flows from a high elevation plateau or basin accumulation zone to a lower valley ablation zone. Much larger icefalls may be found in the outlet glaciers of continental ice sheets. The icefall feeding the Lambert Glacier in Antarctica is 7 kilometres wide and 14 kilometres long, even though the elevation difference is only 400 metres, a little more than half that of the Roosevelt Glacier icefall.

Matched Categories

1. • Glacier
   • Ice

How to pronounce icefall?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

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   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

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   Veena

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   Priya

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   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

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   Wendy

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   Fred

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   Tessa

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How to say icefall in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of icefall in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of icefall in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of icefall in a Sentence

1. Conrad Anker:

   They're going in Khumbu Icefall and, as we found out on April 18, Khumbu Icefall's Khumbu Icefall, they're exposed to the tumbling ice, hanging seracs above it. It's very, very dangerous. It's the most dangerous place I've been in the mountains.

2. Jim Whittaker:

   They'll have to put a new route in from base camp up through that icefall.

3. Ang Tshering Sherpa:

   The condition of the icefall now is like it was before the earthquake.

4. Alan Arnette:

   Bottom line, the icefall has been deemed impassable at this point.

5. Ben Fogle:

   In many ways, I feel I'm living a life for two now, i was never lonely when I was out there bizarrely, even in the dead of night when we were traipsing through the very dangerous Khumbu Icefall. I felt his presence and it was very powerful.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=icefall
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Icefall
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icefall
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/icefall
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=icefall