Glacier Ice Formations
Alaska’s Glaciers
One aspect Alaska is known for is its abundance and variety of glaciers. This region has thousands of micro-ecosystems that amount to some amazing macro effects. During the last glacial period, about 20,000 years ago, we can observe areas like the Great Lakes as aftereffects. We can see in the more northern and arctic regions that glaciers still exist and that ecosystems help them persist.
Types of Glaciers
Ice Fields
An ice field is a type of glacier that forms when snow accumulation (winter) exceeds melt (summer). Ice fields are large areas of ice. On the other hand, there are also ice caps, another large mass of ice, a bit smaller than what we would see in an ice field.
Mountain (Alpine) Glacier
Mountain glaciers, also called alpine glaciers, are masses of ice that form in mountain regions. In other words, mountains surround the ice. Where mountains surround ice, we can see glaciers more clearly as a ‘river of ice.’ Often, alpine regions have cooler temperatures due to altitude, fluctuations in weather systems, and sun exposure. Snow and ice accumulation do well in this environment.
Valley Glacier
Valley glaciers typically have an accumulation point at the base of nearby mountain ranges. From this, ice forms and normally works with gravity to move down valleys. They continue to etch into the land below as they slowly carve away at mountainsides and contribute to the valley formation and changes.
Piedmont Glaciers
Piedmont glaciers are similar to valley glaciers in that they typically flow in a valley shape. Where a Piedmont glacier differs is that it usually has a constricting point in the valley landscape. This tight space creates a sort of bottleneck. The ice will spill out after this point into a more lobe-like shape than a valley glacier.
Tidewater Glaciers
Tidewater glaciers do occur in the coastal regions. They start on the land and eventually spill into the ocean. Tidewater glaciers are where we can observe more ice caving due to the influence of the sea and water eroding at the ice sheets. Tidewater glaciers often produce fjords and ice shelves. These glaciers do have far more activity than their land-based counterparts.
Hanging Glaciers
Hanging glaciers are fascinating as they typically sit alongside or above an already existing glacier. These ice masses hang over and only partially connect with parts of the main glacier. This glacier type resembles an ice fin suspended in mid-air. They appear high up and descend only partway to more solid glacier ice and abruptly stops.
Cirque Glaciers
Cirque glaciers occur more often in mountainous regions. These are bowl-shaped glaciers that have made an impression on the rock’s surface. This bowl-like shape creates one of nature’s most beautiful ice amphitheaters.
The Beauty of Glaciers
Beyond the variety of glaciers is the natural beauty each one displays, as well as the many reasons why glaciers are so vital to the Earth. The thousands of glaciers worldwide are among our cleanest and best-stored water sources. Hopefully, at a sustainable rate, glacier meltwater can continue to provide vital nutrients to the land and bodies of water.
Glaciers are the base of many food chains and a primary reason for the abundance of resources in regions where they occur. Today, hydroelectric technology enables glaciers to serve as a renewable power source. From irrigating crops to providing clean drinking water and so much more, we need to respect and maintain this essential resource.
