Ice is found nowadays in areas of high altitude or high latitude as ice sheets and ice caps. Ice from these ice
fields may overflow into valleys as 'rivers of ice', or glaciers.
The study of glaciers is important because:
- ice sheets which have existed for hundreds of thousands of years contain valuable, 'deep frozen' records of
Earth history:
for example about climate and the composition of the atmosphere
|
 |
- they influence, and are influenced by, our climate
- powerful processes of glacial erosion modify previous drainage patterns and
influence present day scenery, farming and land use
|
 |
- vast quantities of material resulting from this erosion are laid down, by
glacial deposition, as a veneer of superficial deposits covering the newly eroded land surface, again
influencing present day scenery, farming, land use and drainage (including, perhaps, for your school/college
playing fields)
|
 |
- ice sheets were once far more extensive than they are now; by comparing landforms then and now, it is possible to demonstrate quite easily what it took early geologists years to accept. This evidence can also be used to identify the number of glacial advances, their maxiumum advance and the direction in which they travelled.
|
 |
- the processes of erosion and deposition for rivers and glaciers are very
different; direct comparisions between the two can help to explain their respective landforms and deposits
|
 |
Around the fringes of the ice fields are areas which are cold but not covered permanently by snow or ice - the periglacial areas , which include the Tundra of northern Canada and Siberia, and which affected Britain during the Pleistocene interglacial periods.
The main features of glacial erosion and deposition may be illustrated by a relatively small number of examples of
glaciers. It is, however, interesting to look at a much wider ranger of glaciers and ice sheets, partly to test our
understanding of glacial processes and partly to appreciate how many areas of the world boast these magnificent
natural features - while they are still with us; glaciers are good indicators of climate change. Examples of
modern glacial areas include Antarctica, Alaska, Tierra del Fuego; areas of
former glaciation include the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland.
The Study Topics
- Erosion
- Deposition
- Then and Now
- Rivers and Glaciers
- Periglacial Areas
- Glacial Areas
are included in the Geopix "Glaciation" Study Guide.
To order the "Glaciation" Study Guide please visit the Geopix
Online Store
