Types of Glaciers — Reading Comprehension

Have you ever seen a giant river of ice moving slowly across the land? These are called glaciers, and they are enormous bodies of ice that form over many years where snow falls but never completely melts. Glaciers are powerful forces that can shape mountains, carve out valleys, and carry huge rocks, showing us the effects of weathering and erosion by ice.

There are two main types of glaciers: continental glaciers and alpine (or valley) glaciers. Let's explore these fascinating ice formations.

First, imagine a massive sheet of ice covering an entire continent or a large landmass. These are continental glaciers. They are also known as ice sheets or ice caps. These glaciers are incredibly thick and spread outwards in all directions, smoothing out the land beneath them. The largest continental glaciers today are found in Antarctica and Greenland. They are so big that they can hide entire mountain ranges under thousands of feet of ice! As these vast sheets move, they scrape away at the Earth's surface, grinding rocks and carrying sediment far from its original location, a clear example of erosion.

Next, picture a long, narrow river of ice that flows down a mountain valley. These are alpine glaciers, also called valley glaciers. They form in high mountain ranges where snow accumulates in bowl-shaped depressions called cirques. As more snow falls and compacts into ice, the glacier begins to flow downhill due to gravity. Alpine glaciers are responsible for creating sharp, jagged mountain peaks and U-shaped valleys. They also leave behind piles of rock and debris called moraines along their sides and at their ends.

Both types of glaciers are important for understanding how Earth's surface changes over time. They demonstrate how ice can be a powerful agent of weathering, breaking down rocks, and erosion, moving those broken pieces across the landscape. Studying these slow-moving giants helps scientists learn about past climates and predict future changes to our planet.

Interesting Fact: About 10% of Earth's land area is covered by glaciers, but during the last Ice Age, they covered about 30%!

What are glaciers made of?

Which glacier type forms in mountain valleys?

Glaciers are examples of erosion by ice.

What is the meaning of 'moraines'?

How do continental glaciers spread?

What do alpine glaciers create?

What causes alpine glaciers to flow?

Where are large continental glaciers found?

If a glacier melted completely, what evidence of its past presence might you find?

How would building a city on a glaciated valley differ from a non-glaciated valley?