text: For a normal crystalline ice far below its melting point, there will be some relaxation of the atoms near the surface. Simulations of ice near to its melting point show that there is significant melting of the surface layers rather than a symmetric relaxation of atom positions. Nuclear magnetic resonance provided evidence for a liquid layer on the surface of ice. In 1998, using atomic force microscopy, Astrid Döppenschmidt and Hans-Jürgen Butt measured the thickness of the liquid-like layer on ice to be roughly 32 nm at &minus;1 °C, and 11 nm at &minus;10 °C.
  The surface melting can account for the following:
  *Low coefficient of friction of ice, as experienced by skaters.
  *Ease of compaction of ice
  *High adhesion of ice surfaces