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| Lambert - Fisher Glacier, Antarctica. Image from Google earth |
Glacier is a moving mass of ice. It is different to iceberg in that, it moves over land and is much larger in size. The term “glacier” is from the French word ‘glace’, which has been taken from latin word ‘glacies’, both meaning ice.
Glaciers are formed due to snow fall and accumulation of ice over longer periods of time. With increasing snowfall, ice accumulates in glaciers. This leads to two different processes in a glacier formation. First is the process of compression within the glacier. It makes the glacier much denser and heavier. Secondly, increased weight of the glacier makes it move downwards, towards a lower area.
While moving down, glaciers erode and deposit, thus creating many features. Antarctica, Greenland, Alaska, Himalayas are some of the regions with glaciated landscapes.
Glaciers are formed due to snow fall and accumulation of ice over longer periods of time. With increasing snowfall, ice accumulates in glaciers. This leads to two different processes in a glacier formation. First is the process of compression within the glacier. It makes the glacier much denser and heavier. Secondly, increased weight of the glacier makes it move downwards, towards a lower area.
While moving down, glaciers erode and deposit, thus creating many features. Antarctica, Greenland, Alaska, Himalayas are some of the regions with glaciated landscapes.
Why are glaciers relevant?
Though, the relevance of a glacier may be mainly as a vacation spot for people not living in its vicinity. Glaciers are much more than that. It is relevant to human life economically, environmentally as well as socially.
It is very difficult to assess the tangible economic value of a glacier for a nation or state. But it a priceless resource with immense direct and indirect values. Its importance can be analysed from a 2014 report by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. The report is about the economic gains from Glacier national park in 2014. The report shows the one year benefits received from the glacier park to the economy, in form of income and the employment generated in the area. This study is not only the single example of the economic relevance of a glacier. In reality, there are immense benefits and gains which are still not explored.
Environmentally, glaciers provide nutrients to soils, rivers, lakes and oceans. They are a great source of fresh water and has an important role in maintaining the water balance in climate. They are also important in maintaining the salinity level of the oceans. Infact, if we realise, glaciers are a relevant part of the whole environmental balance of nature. A minor change in this natural equilibrium may disrupt the whole system.
It is very difficult to assess the tangible economic value of a glacier for a nation or state. But it a priceless resource with immense direct and indirect values. Its importance can be analysed from a 2014 report by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz. The report is about the economic gains from Glacier national park in 2014. The report shows the one year benefits received from the glacier park to the economy, in form of income and the employment generated in the area. This study is not only the single example of the economic relevance of a glacier. In reality, there are immense benefits and gains which are still not explored.
Environmentally, glaciers provide nutrients to soils, rivers, lakes and oceans. They are a great source of fresh water and has an important role in maintaining the water balance in climate. They are also important in maintaining the salinity level of the oceans. Infact, if we realise, glaciers are a relevant part of the whole environmental balance of nature. A minor change in this natural equilibrium may disrupt the whole system.
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| Khumbu Glacier- Highest glacier in the world. Image from Google Earth |
Glaciers are relevant socially as well as culturally. They are sites of powerful sacred and symbolic meanings for local communities (Allison 2015). A study by Allison (2015) shows the spiritual connection of the communities in the Peruvian Andes, the Nepalese Himalaya, and the Meili Snow Mountains of Yunnan, China to the glaciers. Glaciers are source of many important rivers which are considered sacred by its masses.
Some Facts about Glaciers -
Largest glacier in the world - Lambert-Fisher Glacier in Antarctica, 400 km long, and up to 100 km wide.Highest glacier in the world - The Khumbu glacier in north-eastern Nepal. Its elevation is 4,900 m at its terminus to 7,600 m at its source.
Oldest glacier – The oldest glaciers ice can be found in Antarctica which is about 1,000,000 years old. In Greenland it is more than 100,000 years old.
