A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Select the first letter of the word from the list above to jump to appropriate section of the glossary.
For detailed desciptions go to Environmental Conditions in the Arctic.
- Fast Ice
Ice that is anchored to land and does not move laterally. Vertical movement can occur due to rising tides.
- Fjord
A narrow bay, U-shaped in cross-section, where the sea has flooded a valley carved by a glacier.
- Insularity
The condition of being an island, or being surrounded by water.
- Isthmus
A narrow portion of land, enclosed on each side by water, and connecting two larger bodies of land; a neck of land.
- Pack Ice
Ice that is not anchored to land and which moves with ocean currents and wind.
- Pinnace
A small light vessel, generally two-masted, and schooner-rigged; often in attendance on a larger vessel as a tender, scout, etc.-
- Polynyas
A permanent area of water in the Arctic where there is no ice. This allows whales, walruses and certain seals to survive in winter.
- Shear Ice Zone
- Area of high pressure between the moving pack ice and the stationary fast ice. Large pressure ridges and rubble fields are common.
Revised: July 15, 1996.
Copyright © 1995 by Government of Canada, Canadian Hydrographic Service.
All trademarks or product names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.