Why should glaciers move faster in warm weather than in cold weather?

Question

I am studying Dynamic Processes in Earth Science, and I need help with my homework. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

Well in warm weather, they move faster since the the ice melt and makes the ice more slippery. And when its is slippery the glacier moves because it doesnt have anyhwere to hold on. So in cold weather its all tight and has a lot of friction.
Hope this helps you

Answer 2

To be called a glacier, a mass of ice must be capable of motion. Glacial movement occurs when the growing ice mass becomes too heavy to maintain its rigid shape and begins to flow by plastic deformation. In most mountain glaciers, flow of ice begins with accumulations of snow and ice greater than 20 meters.
Flow rates within the various regions of a glacier are not uniform. From directly above, the middle of the glacier appears to flow with the greatest speed

The velocity of flow of glacier ice is influenced by a variety of factors. Some of the more important factors are the gradient of the valley floor, the temperature and thickness of the ice, and the constriction caused by the valley walls. The movement of ice over the ground in most temperate glaciers is enhanced by a process known as basal sliding. The immense pressure caused by the weight of the overlying glacial mass causes the ice making contact with the ground to melt because of pressure, despite subzero temperatures (pressure melting). The melting ice then forms a layer of water that reduces the friction between the glacial ice and the ground surface. This water then facilitates the movement of the ice over the ground surface by producing a layer with very little friction. Because of basal sliding, some glaciers can move up to 50 meters in one day. However, average rates of movement are usually less than 1 meter per day. Cold glaciers tend to move very slowly because there is no basal sliding. Movement in these glaciers takes place mainly due to internal slippage of the ice over the ground.

Answer 3

One of the modes of glacial movement is by freeze/thaw. In this process ice melts during the warm part of the day and refreezes later. The refrozen water will be significantly downslope to the original position. This freeze/thaw will occur more efficiently during warmer periods.

Also, there may be some actual sliding of the bottom surface of the glacier, and this sliding occurs best when water is available. However, sliding is only local, I think.