The iconic Yosemite Valley in the quiet aftermath of a fresh snowstorm. The foreground snow on the boulders shows a crust of crystals called surface hoar. This constructive metamorphism, where crystals are added to the snowpack, occurs when water vapor in the air deposits directly onto the snow's surface as ice crystals, often in below-freezing temperature and humid conditions.
The iconic Yosemite Valley in the quiet aftermath of a fresh snowstorm. The foreground snow on the boulders shows a crust of crystals called surface hoar. This constructive metamorphism, where crystals are added to the snowpack, occurs when water vapor in the air deposits directly onto the snow's surface as ice crystals, often in below-freezing temperature and humid conditions.