photo (50 ft): old ice (Environment Canada)
Thick first year ice may survive the summer melt season and is then classified as old ice. This
category is subdivided into Second year ice or Multi year ice depending on whether the Floes
have survived one or more summers. The thickness of old ice is normally in the range 1.2 m
to 3 m or more prior to the onset of the melt season. Towards the end of the summer melt
season old ice may be considerably reduced in thickness. Old ice may often be recognized by
a bluish surface colour in contrast to the greenish tint of First year ice.
