Ice formations of 20 to 200 m in length are called "large floes" (large or larger fragments of 

 ice). Ice formations 20 m in extent are called "small floes" (small or small fragments of ice) 

 (figure 38) . 



Figure 38. Shattered ice (blocks of ice 2 to 20 m). 



At sea, ice ordinarily consists of ice accumulations of different sizes. Because of this, it 

 is necessary to speak of large-to-small fields when large fields are predominant and of small-to- 

 large fields when small fields are predominant; large-to-small floes (large-to-small ice) have a 

 predominance of large floes; small-to-large floes (small-to-large ice) have a predominance of 

 small floes. 



When separate ice formations collide, their edges break and the fragments are rafted upon 

 each other, forming simultaneously small-small floes. With further fragmentation, "crushed ice" 

 or "ice porridge" is obtained. Ice porridge is especially characteristic of the windward edge of 

 floes and near the shore where it forms as a result of wave and tidal action. In such cases, ice 

 porridge often obtains a thickness of several meters, reaching the bottom near shores and shal- 

 lows, and forming a drift, which is very dense when compressed and which becomes somewhat 

 less dense during decompression. 



In the White Sea, highly fragmented ice, which has been forced out upon the ice fields during 

 hummocking, is called crushed ice. It resembles snow and differs from it by a grayish tinge. 

 Fragmented ice, which has been forced underneath the ice fields or which fills the space between 

 them, is called ice porridge. 



Crushed ice and ice porridge, due to the smallness of their particles, melt first of all, and 

 therefore they are mainly characteristic of winter and high altitudes. 



The very size of the ice fields depends on their thickness and also on the morphological and 

 hydrometeorological conditions of the water basin. Even if ice fields having an area of several 

 square kilometers and more are not rare in the center of the Arctic Basin, yet in the center of the 



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