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.
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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. |