ice edge
the boundary at any given time between open water and sea, river or lake ice of any kind, whether drifting or fast; may be termed compacted when it is clear-cut, or open when it forms the indefinite edge of an area of dispersed ice.
Image
![https://nsidc.org/sites/default/files/cryosphere/glossary/ice_edge.jpg ice_edge.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2020-12/ice_edge.jpg.webp?itok=eUxB8vOa)
Aerial view of the sea ice edge.
Todd Arbetter, National Snow and Ice Data Center
Topic(s):
sea ice
freshwater ice