Continental glacier

Definition

A continental glacier is a massive body of ice that covers extensive areas of land, typically found in polar regions and capable of altering the landscape through its movement and melting. These glaciers are much larger than alpine glaciers and flow outward from their thickest part, which is usually situated in the center. Their presence shapes various landforms and impacts local ecosystems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Continental glaciers can be several kilometers thick, making them some of the largest ice masses on Earth.
2. The movement of continental glaciers can create significant topographical changes, such as valleys and fjords, as they carve through the landscape.
3. Continental glaciers play a crucial role in global sea levels; when they melt, they contribute to rising sea levels.
4. These glaciers are primarily found in regions like Antarctica and Greenland but can also exist in smaller forms in high mountain areas.
5. The flow of continental glaciers is influenced by gravity, underlying topography, and the pressure from the overlying ice.

Review Questions

• How do continental glaciers differ from alpine glaciers in terms of size and impact on the landscape?
  • Continental glaciers are significantly larger than alpine glaciers, covering vast areas of land and being several kilometers thick. While alpine glaciers typically flow down mountain valleys, continental glaciers spread out from their centers and flow in all directions. This expansive movement allows continental glaciers to shape landscapes on a much larger scale, creating features like U-shaped valleys and fjords as they carve through the terrain.
• Discuss the role of continental glaciers in influencing global climate and sea levels.
  • Continental glaciers play an important role in regulating global climate by reflecting sunlight due to their albedo effect. As they melt, they contribute to rising sea levels, which can lead to significant changes in coastal environments and ecosystems. The melting of these ice masses also releases fresh water into oceans, which can alter ocean circulation patterns and impact weather systems worldwide.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of continental glacier movements on landforms and ecosystems in polar regions.
  • The movements of continental glaciers have profound long-term effects on both landforms and ecosystems in polar regions. As glaciers advance and retreat, they sculpt the landscape by eroding rock formations and depositing sediments that create unique geological features like moraines and drumlins. Additionally, these changes can alter habitats for local flora and fauna; for instance, as glaciers melt, new land becomes available for colonization by plants and animals, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.

Related terms

ice sheet: A large, continuous mass of glacial ice that covers more than 50,000 square kilometers, often found in regions like Antarctica and Greenland.

glacial till:

Unsorted sediment deposited directly by glacial ice, consisting of a mixture of clay, sand, gravel, and boulders.

moraine:

A landform created by the accumulation of debris (till) deposited by a glacier, forming ridges or mounds along its edges.