Active sites for ice nucleation differ depending on nucleation mode

Significance The appearance of ice crystals in the atmosphere is an important component our planet’s climate. Ice usually form on solid particles suspended atmosphere, where a water droplet can either condense particle and then freeze, or grow directly without first condensing. However, understanding why some types are especially effective poor. Here, we use microscopy to identify sites forms atmospherically minerals find significant difference between two modes growth. These results provide insight into factors that govern formation imply role surface morphology directing crystal formation.