Asnow bridge is an arc formed by snow across a crevasse, a crack in rock, a creek, or some other opening in terrain.[1] It is typically formed by snow drift, which first creates a cornice, which may then grow to reach the other side of the opening.
A snow bridge may completely cover the opening and thus present a danger by creating an illusion of unbroken surface under which the opening is concealed by an unknown thickness of snow, possibly only a few centimetres.
Snow bridges may also form inside a crevasse, making it appear shallow.[2]
A snow bridge is thicker and stronger at the edge of a crevasse; therefore, a fall through a bridge usually happens at some distance from the edge.[3]
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