crevasse

views updated May 29 2018

crevasse
1. A deep fissure in the surface of a glacier, caused when tensile stress overcomes the shear strength of ice in the brittle upper few metres. Appropriate tensile stresses are typically developed when a glacier moves over a convex slope.

2. A breach in a levee along the bank of a river, through which flood water may flow and produce crevasse splays. (See crevasse deposit, 2).

crevasse

views updated May 08 2018

crevasse
1. Deep fissure in the surface of a glacier, caused when tensile stress overcomes the shear strength of ice in the brittle upper few metres. Appropriate tensile stresses are typically developed when a glacier moves over a convex-up slope.

2. A breach in a levée along the bank of a river through which flood water may flow and produce crevasse deposits (2) (crevasse splay).

crevasse

views updated Jun 08 2018

cre·vasse / krəˈvas/ • n. a deep open crack, esp. one in a glacier. ∎  a breach in the embankment of a river or canal.

crevasse

views updated May 21 2018

crevasse XIX. — F.; see next.