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Glaciers

Definition

Glaciers are large masses of ice that form over many years from compacted snow in areas where more snow falls than melts. They move slowly downhill due to their own weight.

Analogy

Imagine glaciers as giant ice rivers flowing down a mountain, carving out valleys and leaving behind massive boulders.

Related terms

Icebergs: Large chunks of ice that break off from glaciers and float in the ocean.

Glacier Retreat: The shrinking or melting of glaciers over time due to climate change.

Moraine: Accumulations of rocks and debris carried by glaciers and deposited along their edges or at their terminus.

"Glaciers" appears in:

Practice Questions (1)

  • What impact can the melting of polar ice caps, ice sheets, and glaciers have?


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.