18. Glaciation

Glaciation

The process, condition or result of being covered by glaciers or ice sheets.

Glacial period

A period in an ice age marked by colder temperatures and glacier advances.

Interglacial period

A period of warmer climate in between glacial periods.

Glacier advance

When a glacier grows in size, more snow and ice accumulate than what is lost.

Glacier retreat

When a glacier shrinks, with more ice being lost than gained.

What are consequences of glaciers?

Temperatures decrease, it becomes colder and drier, climatic zones shift southwards, sea levels drop because of glaciers.

Moraine

A large mound of dirt and rock pushed in front or on the side of a glacier.

Where and what was the last glacial period?

It was in Wurm/Wisconsin.

How many glacial episodes did earth experience?

5

How long do glacial periods last?

80-100,000 years

How long do interglacial periods last?

15-20,000 years

What are the causes of glaciation?

Changes in the ellipticity of the Earth's orbit, the northward movement of continents, changes in the tilt of the Earth's spin axis, plate tectonics