GlaciersGlaciers

Glaciers:Glaciers: Masses of ice built up over Masses of ice built up over thousands of years.thousands of years.

Alpine GlaciersAlpine Glaciers:: Glaciers that occur in high Glaciers that occur in high altitudes, such as mountains.altitudes, such as mountains.

Continental GlaciersContinental Glaciers:: Glaciers that occur Glaciers that occur on land near the Earth’s poles.on land near the Earth’s poles.

Brain Pop: GlaciersBrain Pop: Glaciers http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystehttp://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsyste

m/glaciers/m/glaciers/

Continental GlaciersContinental Glaciers

A continental glacier covers the A continental glacier covers the entire continent of Antarctica.entire continent of Antarctica.

Another continental glacier covers the Another continental glacier covers the majority of the island of Greenlandmajority of the island of Greenland

Cold air flows off of continental glaciers Cold air flows off of continental glaciers cooling the surrounding areas.cooling the surrounding areas.

Since the air is so cold there is very little Since the air is so cold there is very little precipitation; creating cold harsh desert precipitation; creating cold harsh desert conditions.conditions.

Polar Ice CapsPolar Ice Caps

Large sheet of ice that lies over the Arctic Large sheet of ice that lies over the Arctic Ocean.Ocean.

It is not considered a glacier because it lies It is not considered a glacier because it lies over water not land.over water not land.

Glaciers and Fresh WaterGlaciers and Fresh Water

Glaciers store large amounts of fresh water; Glaciers store large amounts of fresh water; approximately 70% of the Earth’s available approximately 70% of the Earth’s available fresh water.fresh water.

IcebergsIcebergs

Icebergs may break off of the glacier in the Icebergs may break off of the glacier in the waterwater– Causing damage to shipping lanes.Causing damage to shipping lanes.– Also may be beneficial, as it is fresh water and Also may be beneficial, as it is fresh water and

may be towed to where drinking water is may be towed to where drinking water is needed.needed.

Glaciers of OldGlaciers of Old

2 million years ago sheets of ice spread 2 million years ago sheets of ice spread over most of North America and Eurasia.over most of North America and Eurasia.

The remains of the last Ice Age include the The remains of the last Ice Age include the Greenland and Antarctic glaciers. Greenland and Antarctic glaciers.

Melting GlaciersMelting Glaciers

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/ehttp://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/global-warming-environment/glanvironment/global-warming-environment/glacier-melt/cier-melt/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1e8he8qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1e8he8qKXAKXA

Gros MorneGros Morne

Gros MorneGros Morne was declared a World Heritage was declared a World Heritage Site because the underlying geology records Site because the underlying geology records over a billion years of the Earth’s history, over a billion years of the Earth’s history, providing evidence to validate the Theory of providing evidence to validate the Theory of Plate Tectonics.Plate Tectonics.

Landscape RegionsLandscape Regions

The park includes 3 landscape regions:The park includes 3 landscape regions:

– Alpine TablelandAlpine Tableland– Coastal Lowlands Coastal Lowlands – Long Range MountainsLong Range Mountains

AssignmentAssignment1.1. Create a timeline describing the evolution of Gros Morne Create a timeline describing the evolution of Gros Morne

National Park.National Park.

2.2. Using the map on page 144 of the text explain how factors Using the map on page 144 of the text explain how factors such as topography, elevation, geology, exposure, such as topography, elevation, geology, exposure, drainage and climate affect each vegetation type.drainage and climate affect each vegetation type.

3.3. Why do alpine glaciers exist in most of the world’s Why do alpine glaciers exist in most of the world’s continents, while continental glaciation is restricted to continents, while continental glaciation is restricted to Antarctica and Greenland?Antarctica and Greenland?

4.4. How do glaciers modify the Earth’s surface through How do glaciers modify the Earth’s surface through erosion? Through deposition?erosion? Through deposition?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDqspdvvhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDqspdvv9xk9xk

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Describe three effects glaciers have on the Describe three effects glaciers have on the environment.environment.

2.2. What do the melting of glaciers indicate?What do the melting of glaciers indicate?

3.3. Write a paragraph (1/2 page) on why you Write a paragraph (1/2 page) on why you think the melting of glaciers is concerning.think the melting of glaciers is concerning.