snowfield

[snoh-feeld]

noun

Geology.

1. a large and relatively permanent expanse of snow.

snowfield

/ ˈsnəʊˌfiːld /

noun

1. a large area of permanent snow

snowfield

1. A large expanse of snow, usually with a smooth and uniform surface, and especially at the head of a glacier.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snowfield¹

First recorded in 1835–45; snow + field

Example Sentences

"We are seeing entire snowfields melting within a day or two when rains fall on them and the huge quantity of water gushes down as floods," said Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist with University of Graz.

From BBC

Federal wildlife officials at the time predicted that despite warming temperatures, enough snow would persist at high elevations for wolverines to den in mountain snowfields each spring.

From Washington Times

“And it’s a ridiculous thing to say, because at that point, you’re not even halfway done with it. But for me, I’ve always hated the snowfield.”

From Seattle Times

As the planet warms, the most extreme transformations are occurring at the poles and in alpine environments, where glaciers, snowfields and icefields are shrinking at a rapid pace.

From Seattle Times

Now, as this week’s cover story explains, snow algae are in the spotlight because of their possible role in hastening the melt of snowfields and glaciers around the world.

From Seattle Times