Crevassing: meaning, definitions and examples
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crevassing
[ krɪˈvæsɪŋ ]
glacial activity
Crevassing refers to the formation of deep cracks or fissures in a glacier or ice sheet, typically occurring under stress and resulting from the movement of the ice. These crevasses can pose serious hazards to climbers and explorers, as they can be hidden by snow and are often much deeper than they appear. The presence of crevasses indicates active ice flow and can provide insights into the dynamics of glaciers. Understanding crevassing is crucial for both mountaineering safety and for studying climate change impacts on glacial systems.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The climbers navigated carefully to avoid the crevassing on the glacier.
- Crevasses can form rapidly in warmer weather as the ice melts.
- Our team used ropes to cross the dangerous crevassing safely.
Translations
Translations of the word "crevassing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 cavando
🇮🇳 खुदाई करना
🇩🇪 Graben
🇮🇩 menggali
🇺🇦 покопування
🇵🇱 wykopywanie
🇯🇵 掘削する
🇫🇷 creusage
🇪🇸 excavación
🇹🇷 kazma
🇰🇷 파기
🇸🇦 حفر
🇨🇿 kopání
🇸🇰 kopanie
🇨🇳 挖掘
🇸🇮 kopanje
🇮🇸 grafir
🇰🇿 қазу
🇬🇪 გამოთხრა
🇦🇿 qazma
🇲🇽 excavación
Etymology
The word 'crevassing' is derived from the French term 'crevasse,' which itself comes from the verb 'crever,' meaning 'to break' or 'to burst.' The term was first used in the late 19th century to describe the phenomena observed in glaciers as they moved and melted. The scientific study of glaciers, known as glaciology, has increased the usage of the term, especially as it relates to both natural occurrences and climbing hazards. As climate change impacts glacial regions, understanding crevassing and how these cracks form and evolve has become increasingly important in environmental science and outdoor safety.