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Ice Crystal Aggregation - Figure 2

ice crystal aggregation processes
Fig. 2. An illustration of the different microphysical ice crystal aggregation processes. The adhesive effect of a crystal’s ice surface is temperature dependent, with higher temperatures being more conducive to crystal-sticking. Sintering is the process by which vapour growth at the contact point of two crystals aids in cementing the crystals together once touching. Interlocking involves a physical connection of parts of two colliding crystals. High electric fields can also help keep ice crystals together for long enough for sintering to form a bond, and this is independent of temperature.