Crevice vs. Crevasse — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
A crevice is a narrow crack or fissure, often found in rocks or walls, while a crevasse is a large, deep crack, specifically in a glacier or ice sheet.
Difference Between Crevice and Crevasse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Crevice refers to a narrow opening resulting from a split or crack in a hard surface, such as rock or concrete. It's often small and can be found in various environments, from mountainous terrains to the walls of buildings. On the other hand, a crevasse denotes a significant rupture or split in a glacier, ice shelf, or ice sheet, characterized by its considerable depth and width. This distinction primarily lies in their size, depth, and location.
While crevices can form due to the natural weathering process of rocks or the settling of structures, they are generally accessible and pose less risk to humans. Crevasses, however, are formed by the movement and flowing of glacier ice, creating potentially dangerous obstacles for mountaineers and researchers. Their formation is influenced by the glacier's dynamics, including internal flow variations and external factors like temperature changes.
In terms of exploration or scientific interest, crevices might be studied in geological or ecological research, often harboring unique microenvironments. Crevasses offer insights into glaciology, climate change, and the dynamics of ice flow, making them significant for climate research but also hazardous for expeditions in polar and mountainous regions.
Safety measures differ greatly when dealing with these formations. Navigating through areas with crevices may require caution and sometimes specialized equipment for climbing or caving. Conversely, traversing glacier fields with crevasses demands extensive preparation, including roped teams, ice axes, and crevasse rescue knowledge, underscoring the greater risks they pose.
The terminology reflects the context in which these terms are used—crevice being more general and applicable in various settings, and crevasse specific to glaciology and related fields. Understanding the difference is crucial for professionals in geology, construction, and mountaineering, as well as for ensuring the safety of those venturing into environments where these features are present.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A narrow crack or fissure in a hard surface like rock or wall.
A large, deep crack or split in a glacier or ice sheet.
Size & Depth
Relatively small and shallow.
Large and often very deep.
Location
Found in rocks, walls, and various structures.
Specifically located in glaciers and ice sheets.
Formation Cause
Natural weathering, settling, or cracking.
Movement and flowing of glacier ice.
Risk to Humans
Generally low, but can pose risks in specific situations.
Potentially high, especially for mountaineers and researchers.
Significance
Geological and ecological research.
Glaciology, climate change research, ice dynamics.
Safety Measures
Caution and sometimes climbing or caving gear.
Extensive preparation, roped teams, ice axes, rescue knowledge.
Compare with Definitions
Crevice
Can appear in the built environment as well.
Plants grew out of the crevices in the ancient wall.
Crevasse
A significant split in glacier ice.
The team had to navigate around a wide crevasse to reach the summit.
Crevice
Often harbors unique ecosystems.
Scientists studied the unique mosses found in rock crevices.
Crevasse
Demands specific safety measures.
Crossing the glacier required securing ropes to prevent falls into crevasses.
Crevice
Formed by natural processes or material settlement.
The earthquake created several crevices along the highway.
Crevasse
Formed by glacial movement.
Melting and refreezing cycles widened the crevasse over time.
Crevice
A narrow opening in rock or another hard surface.
The mountain climber used the crevice to secure a hold.
Crevasse
Offers insights into climate change.
The depth of the crevasses indicated the glacier's rapid melting rate.
Crevice
Requires caution when navigating.
The explorers carefully mapped the crevices in the cave.
Crevasse
Can be dangerous for those unprepared.
A crevasse rescue drill is mandatory for all polar expeditions.
Crevice
A narrow crack or opening; a fissure or cleft.
Crevasse
A crevasse is a deep crack, crevice or fissure found in an ice sheet or glacier, or earth. Crevasses form as a result of the movement and resulting stress associated with the shear stress generated when two semi-rigid pieces above a plastic substrate have different rates of movement.
Crevice
A narrow crack or fissure, as in a rock or wall.
Crevasse
A deep fissure, as in a glacier; a chasm.
Crevice
To crack; to flaw.
Crevasse
A crack or breach in a dike or levee.
Crevice
A narrow opening resulting from a split or crack or the separation of a junction; a cleft; a fissure; a rent.
The mouse,Behind the moldering wainscot, shrieked,Or from the crevice peered about.
Crevasse
To develop or cause to develop crevasses.
Crevice
To crack; to flaw.
Crevasse
A crack or fissure in a glacier or snowfield; a chasm.
Crevice
A long narrow depression in a surface
Crevasse
(US) A breach in a canal or river bank.
Crevice
A long narrow opening
Crevasse
(by extension) Any cleft or fissure.
Crevasse
(figuratively) A discontinuity or “gap” between the accounted variables and an observed outcome.
Crevasse
(intransitive) To form crevasses.
Crevasse
(transitive) To fissure with crevasses.
Crevasse
A deep crevice or fissure, as in embankment; one of the clefts or fissure by which the mass of a glacier is divided.
Crevasse
A breach in the levee or embankment of a river, caused by the pressure of the water, as on the lower Mississippi.
Crevasse
A deep fissure
Common Curiosities
What defines a crevasse?
A crevasse is a large, deep crack in the ice of a glacier or ice sheet, formed by the movement of the ice.
Can crevices be found in glaciers?
While crevices can occur in glaciers, these smaller formations are typically called cracks; large openings in glaciers are specifically known as crevasses.
What precautions are needed when exploring areas with crevices?
Depending on the location, precautions may include using climbing gear, ensuring stable footing, and being aware of potential risks.
What is a crevice?
A crevice is a narrow, often shallow crack or fissure in a solid surface, like rock or concrete.
Are crevasses dangerous?
Yes, crevasses can pose significant dangers to mountaineers and researchers due to their depth and the challenges in detecting them under snow.
How are crevices and crevasses formed?
Crevices are formed through natural weathering, material settlement, or cracking. Crevasses form due to the dynamic movement and flow of glacier ice.
Why are crevasses important in climate research?
They provide valuable insights into glacier dynamics, ice flow patterns, and the impacts of climate change on glacial environments.
What safety measures are essential for navigating crevasses?
Safety measures include using roped teams, carrying ice axes, understanding crevasse rescue techniques, and navigating carefully.
What skills are necessary for crevasse rescue?
Skills include rope handling, anchoring, pulley system setup, and understanding the physics of glacier ice.
Do crevices have ecological significance?
Yes, they can create unique ecological niches that support specialized communities of plants and animals.
How is the risk of falling into a crevasse mitigated?
The risk is mitigated by traveling in roped teams, using ladders or bridges to cross wide crevasses, and employing proper safety gear.
Can plants or animals live in crevices?
Yes, crevices often host unique plant and animal life, providing microhabitats that offer shelter and resources.
Are there any similarities between crevices and crevasses?
Both are cracks or splits in a surface, but their locations, sizes, and the dangers they present differ significantly.
How do crevasses affect glacier travel?
They complicate travel across glaciers, requiring careful planning, route finding, and sometimes detouring to avoid them.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
