Tiny ice flaws reveal hidden light patterns to track melting processes

A breakthrough in ice research could transform climate science. Tiny defects in frozen structures now expose secrets of melting—and beyond.

, and Administrator

2025 November 24 . 1:05 AM

1 min read

In this image we can see a man standing on the ice. On the backside we can see some trees and the... — In this image we can see a man standing on the ice. On the backside we can see some trees and the sky which looks cloudy.

Tiny ice flaws reveal hidden light patterns to track melting processes

Scientists have uncovered how tiny flaws in ice create distinct light patterns that could help track melting processes. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveal that defects in ice alter how it absorbs and emits light. This discovery may improve predictions about greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost and shed light on chemical reactions on icy moons like Europa and Enceladus.

Researchers from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics led the study. Using quantum mechanical simulations, they modelled four types of ice, including perfect and imperfect crystal structures. The team found that each defect produces a unique 'optical signature', making it possible to identify structural changes in real ice samples.

The research provides a new way to detect ice defects by analysing light patterns. This could lead to better monitoring of permafrost degradation and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the findings offer tools to study chemical processes on distant icy worlds.