Addition of ice to the base of sea ice by freezing. If new and young ice are not deformed into rafts or ridges, they will continue to grow by congelation. Congelation ice has a distinctive columnar crystal texture due to the downward growth of the crystals into the water. It is very common in Arctic pack ice and fast ice. In limnology, it is called ‘black ice’. Congelation derives from ‘congeal’, meaning freeze or thicken, increase in viscosity. Congelation is a general term for the process of congealing, meaning to freeze, thicken, or increase in viscosity. For example, my soup stock undergoes congelation when it is put in the refrigerator. Synonym of consolidation.
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