Climatology

Chapter 8

What is meant with retreat and advance of glaciers?

Glaciers periodically retreat or advance, depending on the amount of snow accumulation or evaporation or melt that occurs. This retreat and 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
 
Glaciers lose ice mass every year, to melting and sublimation. They are dynamic systems. Glaciers grow (advance) and shrink (retreat) as a result of precipitation, melting and sublimation—all while slowly sliding down their valleys. Local and global climate changes cause the changes this dynamic system.

Diskussion