A stamukha (plural stamukhi) is a thick hummocked grounded ice formation formed from floe bergs and other hummocked grounded ice fragments. They are distinguished by a large height (up to 10 m and more above sea level) and steep slopes. There are single grounded hummocks and lines (or chains) of grounded hummocks. These thick ridges become grounded during the winter and become part of the fast ice zone. While the rest of the fast ice melts during the summer, a stamukhi remains throughout the summer attached to the ocean bottom, sinking as much as 16 ft (roughly 5 meters) into the seabed. Stamukhi forming at the same place from season to season are termed recurring stamukhi.
« Back to Glossary IndexStamukha (grounded hummock)
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