Structural mechanisms of ice deformation

New results of experimental studies into ice deformation and structural changes are presented. A sequence of structural mechanisms of deformation from polygonization to formation of cracks, cavities and shattering of crystals that replace each other primarily relatively to the load value and the deformation rate is developed. The principal mechanism of creep deformation is crack formation and crystal shattering. A brittleness index for ice deformation is proposed. It is shown that the vesicular texture of ice can be the result of the regeneration of open cracks during deformation.