Glaciers are one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring natural features on earth. Glaciers are large and massive features of ice which can be found on the polar regions and at high altitudes on other places on the earth. Vast areas of the polar regions are permanently covered by glaciers. Glaciers cover approximately 10% of the earth’s surface, chiefly, on the poles and hold upto 75% of the earth’s freshwater.
Glaciers are formed when layers of snow get compacted over time due to gravity. The compaction takes place over many years. The snow in the lower layers gets pressed down by the weight of the snow above and compaction occurs. The snow thus gets converted into ice due to
pressure – a process known as glaciation. As snow falls further, the snow on the top too gets compacted and the glacier increases in size.
Glaciers can be broadly categorized into alpine glaciers and continental glaciers. Alpines glaciers are found at high altitudes such as mountains from where they also spreadout to the plains. Continental Glaciers, on the other hand, cover huge areas and are principally found in the poles. They are also known as ice sheets. These kinds of large glaciers that cover the land can be found in the poles.
Alpine Glaciers can be found high mountainous regions. In such high altitudes, the temperature remains cold throughout the year which prevents the snow from melting. The snow which accumulates forms the glacier. Glaciers such as the one on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa belong to this type.
Valley Glaciers are formed when snow accumulated in the mountains forms a glacier and then slides down a valley. Tidewater Glaciers are formed when glaciers slide into the ocean. Big chunks of the glaciers “calve” or fall into the ocean. Tidewater Glaciers are usually found near the poles
Another type of Glacier is the Piedmont glacier which is formed when a glacier slides down from a mountain and spreads over a plain, occupying a wide area.
Glaciers are indeed spectacular features of natures. Their sheer size and scenic beauty is inspiring to see. However, the influence over the land is phenomenal. Over the centuries, glaciers can change the landscape by eroding materials as they slide over the land and depositing the material elsewhere. The breathtaking fjords of Norway are and example of glacial action.
However, today, the Glaciers are threatened by Global warming – the rise in temperatures around the world due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases. Scientists tell us that the increasing temperatures are causing the glaciers to melt at a faster rate causing the glaciers to “recede”. The melting of the glaciers, especially at the poles, may cause an increase in sea levels
Images Courtesy:
www.calstatela.edu
www.visitnorway.com
Glaciers are formed when layers of snow get compacted over time due to gravity. The compaction takes place over many years. The snow in the lower layers gets pressed down by the weight of the snow above and compaction occurs. The snow thus gets converted into ice due to
pressure – a process known as glaciation. As snow falls further, the snow on the top too gets compacted and the glacier increases in size.Glaciers can be broadly categorized into alpine glaciers and continental glaciers. Alpines glaciers are found at high altitudes such as mountains from where they also spreadout to the plains. Continental Glaciers, on the other hand, cover huge areas and are principally found in the poles. They are also known as ice sheets. These kinds of large glaciers that cover the land can be found in the poles.
Alpine Glaciers can be found high mountainous regions. In such high altitudes, the temperature remains cold throughout the year which prevents the snow from melting. The snow which accumulates forms the glacier. Glaciers such as the one on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa belong to this type.
Valley Glaciers are formed when snow accumulated in the mountains forms a glacier and then slides down a valley. Tidewater Glaciers are formed when glaciers slide into the ocean. Big chunks of the glaciers “calve” or fall into the ocean. Tidewater Glaciers are usually found near the poles
Another type of Glacier is the Piedmont glacier which is formed when a glacier slides down from a mountain and spreads over a plain, occupying a wide area.
Glaciers are indeed spectacular features of natures. Their sheer size and scenic beauty is inspiring to see. However, the influence over the land is phenomenal. Over the centuries, glaciers can change the landscape by eroding materials as they slide over the land and depositing the material elsewhere. The breathtaking fjords of Norway are and example of glacial action.
However, today, the Glaciers are threatened by Global warming – the rise in temperatures around the world due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases. Scientists tell us that the increasing temperatures are causing the glaciers to melt at a faster rate causing the glaciers to “recede”. The melting of the glaciers, especially at the poles, may cause an increase in sea levels
Images Courtesy:
www.calstatela.edu
www.visitnorway.com
www.galaxsea.com
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