Types of Glaciers
Valley Glacier
A Glacier is a mass of fallen snow, that over time has compressed into a large ice mass. Glaciers form when snow stays in one place long enough for it to turn into ice. The unique thing about glaciers, is their ability to move. Glaciers move under their own weight. They occupy about 10% of the world's land area. Scientist believe present day glaciers to be left over from the last ice age
There are two main types of glaciers; they are distinguished by their size and where they are formed. One type of glacier is formed in mountainous areas. As the ice moves down a valley, it produces a valley glacier, which is a long, narrow, wedge-shaped mass of ice. Valley glaciers are best developed in the high mountain regions of the world such as in coastal Alaska, the Himalayas, the Andes, the Alps, and New Zealand.
There are two main types of glaciers; they are distinguished by their size and where they are formed. One type of glacier is formed in mountainous areas. As the ice moves down a valley, it produces a valley glacier, which is a long, narrow, wedge-shaped mass of ice. Valley glaciers are best developed in the high mountain regions of the world such as in coastal Alaska, the Himalayas, the Andes, the Alps, and New Zealand.
Continental Ice Sheets
The other type of glacier covers large land areas. These masses of ice, called continental ice sheets, occupy millions of square kilometers. Today, continental ices sheets are found only in Greenland and Antarctica.