What is a glacier? A thick mass of ice accumulated over a long period of time, that is able to flow.

Found only in Greenland & Antarctica Massive ice sheets that radiate out from one or more centers. Continental Glaciers covered Gondwana 300 mya. Continental Glaciers covered North America & Eurasia <15,000 years ago. ( The Nebraskan, Kansan, Illinoian, and Wisconsin Glacial Periods) Extremely valuable in climatology, vital to planet’s environmental well-being.

Much smaller in scale, but still very impressive. Found in all high mountainous areas, even on equator (Andes. Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro) Despite their name, actually start on mountain peaks during periods of long winters and short, cool summers. Over time, the accumulated snow turns to firn, which begins to flow downhill. Glaciers act as gargantuan bulldozers, plowing up everything in their path (glacial plucking). Glaciers are important shapers of landforms both when they advance (Fig. 5.4, p.126), and when they retreat (Fig. 5.7, p. 128). Important indicator of climate change!

When Glaciers come, When Glaciers go… Fig. 5.7, p. 128

Terms you DON’T want to MELT away … Firn Iceberg Glacial plucking Glacial striations Glacial trough Hanging Valley Cirque Arete Glacial Horn Fjord Glacial Till Glacial Erratic Moraines Outwash Plain Kettle Drumlin Esker Kame

More “Cool” Pics!

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT – They DID effect our climate! Texas during the Pleistocene Ice Ages was Cooler & Drier!

PLEISTOCENE FOSSIL LOCALITIES 1 = Nueces River 2 = Ingleside 3 = Aransas River 4 = Bee County 5 = Petronila Creek GLACIAL RELICS 1.Bastrop State Park 2.Lost Maples State Natural Area 3.McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mtns National Park