please help me!
2006-12-17 03:48:40 · 5 answers · asked by angie s 2 in Environment
Do not overthink this. A glacier is heavy and there is a down hill pull. It might be slow but it can throw to the side dirt, rock, and even chip away at solid rock cliffs. The web site below has some more information about glaciers.
A glacier moves as a solid rather than as a liquid, as is indicated by the formation of crevasses (see crevasse). The center of a glacier moves more rapidly than the sides and the surface more rapidly than the bottom, because the sides and bottom are held back by friction. The rate of flow depends largely on the volume of ice in movement, the slope of the ground over which it is moving, the slope of the upper surface of the ice, the amount of water the ice contains, the amount of debris it carries, the temperature, and the friction it encounters. Glaciers are always in movement, but the extent of the apparent movement depends on the rate of advance and the rate of melting. If the ice melts at its edge faster than it moves forward, the edge of the glacier retreats; if it moves more rapidly than it melts, the edge advances; it is stationary only if the rate of movement and the rate of melting are the same.
2006-12-17 03:55:35 · answer #1 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once a mass of compressed ice reaches a critical thickness, around 18 meters thick, it becomes so heavy that it begins to deform and move. The sheer girth of the ice, combined with gravity's influence, causes glaciers to flow very slowly. Ice may flow down mountain valleys, fan across plains, or in some locations, spread out to the sea. Movement along the underside of a glacier is slower than movement at the top due to the friction created as it slides along the ground's surface.
Glaciers periodically retreat or advance, depending on the amount of snow accumulation or albation that occurs. This retreat or advance refers only to the position of the terminus, or snout, of the glacier. Even as it retreats, the glacier still deforms and moves downslope, like a conveyor belt. For most glaciers, retreating and advancing are very slow occurrences, noticeable only over a long time.
2006-12-17 03:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by Sherri 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The earth is ever changing and ever moving. As the Earth spins, the ocean waves move and push the glaciers.
2006-12-17 03:50:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
pressure creates heat which melts the bottom layer and ice floats on water.
2006-12-17 06:29:15 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they are floating in water.
2006-12-17 03:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by whitebeanner 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋