Glacier Basics

Glacier

A massive slow-moving body of ice formed from the accumulation of snow

Snow Accumulation

The process where snow piles up over time, compressing into firn, a granular form of ice.

Compaction

The process of further compressing firn into solid glacier ice as more snow accumulates.

Movement

The flow of glaciers downslope or outward due to gravity, resembling a slow-moving river of ice.

Alpine Glaciers

Glaciers that form in high mountain ranges and flow down valleys, creating U-shaped valleys through erosion.

Continental Glaciers

Massive ice sheets covering large land areas in polar regions

Ice Caps

Smaller ice sheets covering mountain ranges or regions

Piedmont Glaciers

Glaciers that form when valley glaciers spill out onto flat plains, spreading into bulbous shapes.

Tidewater Glaciers

Glaciers that terminate in the sea, often breaking off to form icebergs, common in Alaska and Greenland.

Basal Slip

A glacier slides over the ground beneath it on a layer of meltwater.

Internal Flow

The deformation and slow movement of ice within a glacier

Crevasses

Deep cracks in a glacier's surface formed due to varying rates of movement in different parts of the glacier.

Erosional Landforms

Landforms created by glaciers through erosion, including U-shaped valleys, cirques, arêtes, and horns.

Depositional Landforms

Landforms created by the deposition of materials left behind by glaciers, such as moraines, drumlins, and eskers.

Moraines

Accumulations of rock and debris (till) left behind by a glacier.

Ice Ages

Periods when large portions of Earth’s surface are covered by glaciers, with the last Ice Age ending about 11,000 years ago.

Glacial Cycles

Glacial and interglacial periods caused by changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt (Milankovitch cycles).

Melting Glaciers

The accelerated melting of glaciers due to rising global temperatures from climate change.

Sea Level Rise

Caused by melting glaciers, particularly ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

Freshwater Reservoir

Glaciers hold about 70% of the world's freshwater, providing water for rivers, lakes, and human consumption.

Climate Indicators

Glaciers serve as indicators of global warming, with their retreat rates providing insights into climate change impacts.

Ecosystem Impact

The influence of glaciers on unique ecosystems and nearby habitats, which may struggle as glaciers melt.