The melting of glaciers has been a common phenomenon increasing rapidly for centuries, leaving mother earth iceless. The increase in energy consumption through various human activities leads to excessive emission of carbon dioxide greenhouse and other gases. The rise in average global temperature and heat melt glaciers, causing them to retreat in the valleys they flow, as analyzed by Brian Colombana. When glaciers melt, the plants and animals reclaim the landscape without snow, leading to a rise in the sea level.
Understanding glaciers
Glaciers contain a humongous amount of ice that is resulted from the majority of freshwater supply throughout the globe. Glaciers in different continents spread in various directions. Valley glaciers, on the other hand, are surrounded by mountains on all sides flowing down. The flowing of glaciers impacts the surrounding landscape as they pass by.
Melting of glaciers
The rapid melting of glaciers causes snow to disappear. It increases the water flow, thereby creating valleys with rivulets. Such a water body is known as glacial lakes. It may give rise to dangerous floods, also known as mountain tsunamis and flash floods. The retreating of glaciers can damage natural dams if people try to block the flow of water.
The rise in sea level
Studies of the geological survey prove that the melting of glaciers and ice sheets leads to a significant rise in the sea level. While mountain glaciers contribute very little water, the complete melting of the snow can raise sea level by half a meter. However, some continents have the largest ice sheet resulting in flooding of the coastal cities with water content, says Brian Colombana.
Glacial deposits
The retreating of glaciers causes them to move over various landscapes while carrying rocks, rubble, and soil. As the glacier moves down the mountains, it leaves behind glacial deposits in the new landscape. The moraines included in the Glacier deposit have several meanings. One of which is a pile of material carrying from one landscape to another.
Climatic impact
The thawing of glaciers in specific Polar Regions slows down the ocean currents, thereby altering the climate throughout the world. Such a phenomenon results in extremes of temperature and environment globally.
Debris deposits
The glacial melt in the mountains causes the deposition of debris by displacing the rocks and soil. Such deposits of material include varves and moraines.
Solutions to minimize glacial melt
According to the research of Glaciologists, several efforts on the part of humans can help prevent glacial melt. The creation of varves from glacial melt forms a bed of deposited material over glacial lakes.
Here are a few strategies through which individuals can contribute to this goal:
• By building long dams in front of continents containing the majority of glaciers, humans can save the earth from floods.
• Every individual must minimize their consumption of energy that leads to the emissions of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, thereby causing the climate to change.
Several studies of glaciology suggest that glacial melt can reduce by manufacturing more ice. Such action requires pumping of ice from under the glaciers and spreading the same on the ice caps.