Nivation
/naɪˈveɪʃən/noun
The erosion and weathering of ground caused by the presence and movement of a persistent snow patch.
Did you know?Nivation combines snowmelt, freeze–thaw action, and sediment movement, allowing a seemingly motionless snow patch to slowly sculpt the terrain beneath it.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sneygʷh-
“To snow; the ancient root associated with snow and snowfall.”
Classical Latin
Latin
nix, nivis
“Snow; the source of the Latin stem niv-.”
Late Latin
Latin
nivalis
“Of or relating to snow.”
19th Century
English
nivation
“A geomorphological process associated with snow, snowmelt, and erosion.”
Modern English
English
nivation
“The combined erosional and weathering effects produced by a persistent snow patch.”