ICE Density Calculator
Our cryosphere & climate calculator computes ice density accurately. Enter measurements for results with formulas and error analysis.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
rho = rho_pure x (1 - V_air)
Where rho_pure = 916.7 + 0.15 x |T| in kg/m3, V_air is air bubble fraction, with salinity and pressure corrections.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Glacier Ice at -20 C
Problem:Calculate density of glacier ice at -20 C with 5% air bubbles.
Solution:Pure ice at -20 C = 916.7 + 3.0 = 919.7 kg/m3\nAir correction = 919.7 x 0.95 = 873.7 kg/m3\nSubmerged in seawater = 873.7/1025 = 85.2%
Result:Density: 873.7 kg/m3 | 85.2% submerged | Porous Ice
Example 2: First-Year Sea Ice
Problem:Sea ice at -5 C, 3% air bubbles, salinity 5 ppt.
Solution:Pure ice at -5 C = 917.5 kg/m3\nAir: 917.5 x 0.97 = 889.9 kg/m3\nBrine volume correction applied\nFinal ~ 897 kg/m3
Result:Density: ~897 kg/m3 | Porous Ice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of pure ice and how does temperature affect it?
Pure ice at 0 degrees Celsius has a density of approximately 916.7 kg/m3, about 8.4 percent less dense than liquid water. As temperature decreases, ice density increases slightly at roughly 0.15 kg/m3 per degree below freezing. At -30 degrees Celsius pure ice density reaches approximately 921.2 kg/m3. This anomalous property where solid is less dense than liquid is critical for aquatic ecosystems because ice floats and insulates the water below from extreme cold.
How do air bubbles affect ice density in glaciers?
Air bubbles trapped in glacier ice significantly reduce its bulk density below that of pure ice. Freshly fallen snow contains up to 90 percent air by volume giving densities as low as 50 to 100 kg/m3. As snow compacts into firn and glacier ice air content decreases. Typical glacier ice contains 2 to 10 percent air bubbles yielding densities between 830 and 900 kg/m3. At depths exceeding about 1000 meters enormous pressure compresses air bubbles into clathrate hydrates and ice density approaches its theoretical maximum.
What is the difference between snow, firn, and glacier ice density?
Snow, firn, and glacier ice represent a continuum of densification stages. Fresh snow has densities from 50 to 200 kg/m3 depending on crystal structure and wind. Settled snow and seasonal snowpack range from 200 to 500 kg/m3. Firn, multi-year compacted snow surviving at least one summer, has densities between 550 and 830 kg/m3. The transition from firn to glacier ice occurs at approximately 830 kg/m3 when interconnected air passages close to form isolated bubbles. Glacier ice ranges from 830 to 917 kg/m3.
How does salinity affect sea ice density?
Sea ice initially traps brine in pockets and channels making it denser than freshwater ice. Newly formed sea ice can have salinities of 10 to 15 parts per thousand and densities approaching 940 kg/m3. As sea ice ages gravity-driven brine drainage reduces salinity to 2 to 5 ppt in first-year ice and less than 1 ppt in multi-year ice. The brine volume depends on both salinity and temperature with warmer ice holding more liquid brine. Sea ice density ranges from approximately 900 to 940 kg/m3 depending on age and conditions.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy