Fascinating Facts About Glaciers – The World’s Massive Natural Wonders

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Updated on: Educator Review By: Michelle Connolly

Earth is home to various wondrous natural elements, making it a more exciting place to live. People tend to admire surreal things that have a charming appeal. These things could be anything from deserts, forests, waterfalls, or snow, all outstanding natural elements. 

Speaking of snow, this ice-made element is wondrous to look at and play with, yet there’s more marvel to ice than you know. There are also magnificent wonders known as the glaciers. A glacier is a vast body made of dense ice that forms on land and is usually constantly moving. 

Such wonders cannot be formed anywhere, which is why many people don’t know about them or have never seen them. It’s just like the fact with snow; not all countries have snow cover their lands and streets on Christmas. Let’s walk through an exciting guide for everything you need to know about glaciers. 

Glaciers

The Formation Process of A Glacier

It takes centuries for a glacier to form and be visible. This formation process is relatively slow but never melts and stays permanently. Glaciers are ice, but they occur when lots of snow accumulates over time. This snow starts melting into the water when summer comes around, but some layers remain solid. 

These layers are found below the melted snow; they change into tiny grains of snow that become firm over time and stay packed together. Each year when snow falls and accumulates, this process keeps happening over and over. Eventually, an enormous mass of ice is formed, and gravity pulls it down, making it a large piece of flowing ice. 

Different Types of Glaciers

Glaciers are formations that occur by natural causes. As we previously explained, they come to life from the accumulation of snow crystals. More interestingly, they form in different shapes and types. The best part is that each glacier type can be found in various spots around the world. 

Since they take centuries to be former, it’s safe to say that these natural wonders speak of history. Besides, they’re permanent formations, making them iconic landmarks in the countries where they form. Glaciers form in specific regions on the planet; thus, they may take different forms.

Continental Glacier

A continental glacier is deemed the largest among all the types. It forms at a high altitude, given the extremely low temperature. As the name suggests, this type looks like a colossal mass covering a large land. Continental glaciers have three other types: ice sheets, ice caps, and ice fields. 

The Ice sheets are the largest, occupying over 50,000 square kilometres, and are the most abundant across Antarctica’s region. Second, comes the ice cap, which covers less land compared to the ice sheets. Besides, it’s a mass that takes on the shape of a dome, forming in mountainous regions. Lastly, ice fields, also known as outlet glaciers, originate from ice caps.

Alpine and Cirque Glaciers

This type of glacier is associated with mountains. An Alpine glacier is found in mountainous regions; it forms at a high altitude, where the temperature levels are set perfectly for its formation. Another prominent type is the cirque glacier; it seems like a large bowl, and it forms in either mountain, like the Alpine glaciers, or in the sidewalls of a valley. This type is usually created by eroding, causing a deep depression in the midsection of the original glacier. 

Valley And Piedmont Glaciers

A valley glacier flows downward over a valley. Some believe it’s an Alpine glacier, which usually forms at a high altitude and moves downwards. On the other hand, a piedmont glacier forms at the edge of valleys, embracing the bases of the mountains. It’s safe to say that piedmont glaciers are forerunners for valley glaciers. 

Glaciers Vs. Icebergs

People usually confuse glaciers with icebergs, thinking that they’re both the same thing. However, they’re utterly different things. Well, both ice elements bear a great resemblance to one another, yet they remain two distinct things. For starters, icebergs are huge masses produced of ice that float above the water, known as ice floe or sea ice. Moreover, an iceberg usually melts during even slightly high temperatures.

 On the other hand, glaciers are solid masses that form on land and seem never to melt even when the temperature is a bit altered. Interestingly, glaciers are permanent, although they’re made of ice. Once a glacier is formed, it stays forever, eventually becoming one of the country’s iconic attractions that people observe.

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Iceberg during Daytime

Where Are Glaciers Found? 

Glaciers are made of ice, yet they don’t form everywhere where snow falls. A Glacier only forms in the polar regions, where temperatures drop to insanely freezing levels. Antarctica is home to the world’s greatest majority of glaciers, encompassing around 91%. 

Moreover, the other 9% happen to be scattered over different areas, including Iceland, Canada, and Greenland. The largest glaciers in the world are located in all three locations, being hot tourist attractions where people come from all over the globe for a peculiar hiking experience.

Flade Isblink Ice Cap – Greenland

One of the world’s most enormous glaciers is the renowned ice cap of Flade Ishblink, the largest glacier in Greenland. It’s located on the Crown Prince Christian Land peninsula, covering almost the entire land. Interestingly, many glaciers are deemed tourist attractions and perfect hiking spots, yet the Flade Isblink Ice Cap isn’t suitable for hiking. Its characteristics make it unsafe to venture into. 

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A beautiful view of the massive Glacier in Disko Bay, Greenland

Vatnajokull Glacier (Snæfellsjökull) – Iceland

Vatnajokull Glacier is the world’s largest glacier, and it’s located in Iceland. It serves as a hot tourist destination, and it’s also known as Snæfellsjökull. This glacier lies in the Northern Territory of Vatnajokull National Park and is open for people to visit. It’s also among the best hiking spots, for it overlooks some scenic views you wouldn’t want to miss.

Lambert Glacier – Antarctica

Lambert Glacier is deemed the largest in Antarctica and also the whole world. It makes sense since this region is home to the most significant percentage of glaciers all over the globe. Lambert Glacier sits in East Antarctica and is one of the fast-moving glaciers, where the ice drains through the edge of a well-known ice shelf known as the Amery. 

Necessary Precautions to Take Before Going Glacier Hiking

The largest glaciers in the world may not be suitable for a great hiking experience, except for the Vatnajokull, but other glaciers in different regions can fit the criteria. Glacier hiking is a fascinating experience, yet it can be perilous, jeopardising one’s safety. For that reason, glacier hiking isn’t accessible without professional guidance, and solo trips are prohibited. Besides, some measures should be taken beforehand to ensure safety. 

Heavy-Layered Outfits

It’s freezing cold out there, so you need to make sure you’re prepared to face the freezing frost. Thus, putting on more than a few layers of clothes is essential. Otherwise, the coldness will distract you from enjoying the experience optimally, and you’ll be occupied with keeping yourself warm.

Waterproof Ankle Boots

Glaciers are icy landscapes, so they’re expected to be slippery. One way to make sure you stand firm on the ground is to wear waterproof ankle boots. They’ll keep you warm and reduce the chances of sliding or slipping out. Thermal socks are also great for keeping your feet warm and avoiding frostbite. 

Flexible Clothes

It’s essential to take notice of the items you’re putting on when you’re layering your clothes. Flexibility is needed for a wide range of movement. Otherwise, you may be unable to hold yourself vertically on the ice. Thus, put on a pair of yoga pants or other bottoms with similar elasticity. 

Don’t Forget the Jacket

Last but not least, always take a jacket with you. Places where glaciers form are characterised by altering temperatures and high chances of rainfall, even during the summer. Don’t forget while hiking that you’re around the polar region. So, take the jacket as a cuddly buddy through your brand-new adventure.

The world is full of magnificent natural wonders. All you need is a daringly adventurous soul ready to get out and take in some striking views. The best part about glaciers is that they’re rare and limited to specific regions, yet they’re splendidly beautiful and worth a visit even once in a lifetime.

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