Polar Ice Caps
Definition
Polar ice caps are large masses of ice that cover polar regions like Antarctica and Greenland. They play a crucial role in regulating global climate by reflecting sunlight back into space.
Analogy
Think of polar ice caps as giant reflective mirrors that bounce sunlight away from Earth. Just like how sunglasses protect your eyes from bright light, polar ice caps shield our planet from excessive heat absorption.
Related terms
Glacial Retreat: The shrinking or melting of glaciers due to warmer temperatures.
Albedo Effect: The ability of a surface to reflect sunlight. Higher albedo means more reflection, while lower albedo means more absorption.
Sea Ice Loss: The reduction in the extent or thickness of floating sea ice in polar regions due to global warming.
"Polar Ice Caps" appears in:
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Practice Questions (1)
- What impact can the melting of polar ice caps, ice sheets, and glaciers have?
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