Several formation mechanisms of sea ice have been identified.

This plenitude of proposed formation mechanisms shows, if nothing else, that the mammatus cloud is generally poorly understood.

Precise formation mechanisms of rilles have yet to be determined.

The three major classes of metamorphic rock are based upon the formation mechanism.

Searches as of 2011 have found that core accretion is likely the dominant formation mechanism.

The formation mechanism of the graben remains unknown.

There are different types of WR-nebula, based on their formation mechanism:

That said, cooling due to hydrometeor fallout is a second proposed formation mechanism.

The formation mechanisms are still under debate.

However, two types of formation mechanisms can be underlined :