Basal ice layer

The layer of ice at the bed of a glacier that is the product of melting and refreezing (regelation, q.v.). It is strongly layered, sheared and incorporates a variable amount of debris.

The dark striped layer is basal ice and the light coloured sediment beneath is basal till. Taylor Glacier, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Photo M. J. Hambrey, 1987.

Back