Use of low-temperature scanning electron microscopy to observe icicles, ice fabric, rime and frost

Previous studies showed that low temperature scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be used to record images of precipitated snow crystals, which collectively form structures that are commonly known as snowflakes. Information about the structure of snow crystals can be used to improve models that estimate the water equivalent of the winter snowpack. These models, which are based on satellite microwave data, have practical use in approximating the quantity of water that will be available for crop irrigation and hydroelectric power. Our previous success of using low temperature SEM to image snow crystals has encouraged us to utilize this technique for other types of frozen aqueous specimens.