distinguish between valley glacier and continental glacier,snowline and snowfields
Answers
Answer:
Continental ice sheets and glaciers are formed from the continental ice caps, the ice
outgrowths from the ice caps breaks out as glaciers and ice sheets. Only ice caps in the present time are Greenland and Antarctica. As the glacier approaches warmer waters, it starts melting slowly.
Valley glaciers are formed in mountainous regions across the world that are above the snow line. They are formed by accumulation of snow in the shaded slopes over time to form large masses of ice and snow. It is supported by snowfall regularly to replenish
the gap produced due to movement of the glacier away from the mountain.
Valley glaciers interact with the mountains and other landforms in their course to give rise to different landforms and are an active participant in erosion, transportation
and deposition of materials. Continental ice sheets on the other hand do not
participate in these processes.
Valley glaciers are more dynamic in their formation. As the glacier slopes downwards, it is dependent on regular snowfall to maintain the glacier. The continental ice sheets on the other hand are offshoots of the ice caps.
Any increase in temperature due to climate change would have it effect first on the Valley glaciers as they would be effected at their source as ice formation would be reduced; and also at the destinations as melting of snow would be faster. While continental ice sheets would also be effected, it would not be as pronounced as
the effect on the valley glaciers.
Answer:
Valley and continental glaciers differ mainly in area, thickness and speed of movement. The primary difference between the two types of glaciers is size. Continental glaciers cover large swaths of land and extend over 50,000 km, meanwhile valley glaciers are confined to mountains and don't exceed lengths of 100 km.