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GLACIERS CGF3M Nov. 5, 2013
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What is a Glacier? A Glacier is a mass of ice with the following characteristics: It extends at least 1/10th of a sq. km It originates on land it moves, or shows evidence of having moved. About 10% of the Earth’s surface is covered by ice.
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years ago… During the last ice age, 30% of the Earth’s surface was covered by ice.
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3 Types of Glaciers Continental Glaciers- (Ice Sheets)
these are the largest on Earth. Found only in Antarctica and Greenland contain 95% of the Earth’s ice Ice caps are smaller than Continental Glaciers The Antarctic Glacier covers an area larger than the US and Mexico combined!
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3 Types of Glaciers 2. Ice Shelves
Are attached to land but float on water Can extend hundreds of kms from land Up to 1 km thick
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3 Types of Glaciers 3. Alpine Glaciers
Occur at high elevations in mountainous regions smallest type of glacier There are several in Alberta and BC. Here is a picture of Victoria Glacier in Lake Louise, AB.
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What Role do Glaciers Play in the Water Cycle?
Store 75% of the world’s fresh water Release some water as they melt, transporting it to watersheds
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How do Glaciers Form? Glaciers are formed from snow, over hundreds of years. Firn- transition between snow and ice Accumulation- rate at which the glacier is growing Ablation- rate at which the glacier is shrinking
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Surging Glacier in Alaska
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Terminology When a glacier flows rapidly, giant cracks called crevasses form. As a glacier moves, it collects debris and carries it along or deposits it at the base of the glacier. This is called a moraine.
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Calving- when large pieces of ice break off an ice shelf and create icebergs
The largest recorded iceberg (it broke off the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica) was sq. kms- the size of Jamaica! See the largest witnessed calving in action in Greenland…
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Antarctica Read the article and explain what is happening to the Antarctic Ice Shelf
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