Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 18 - Section 18.1 - Glaciers: A Part of Two Basic Cycles - Concept Checks - Page 540: 3

Answer

Valley glaciers: Valley glaciers, also known as alpine glaciers, form in mountain valleys and flow downhill. They are typically narrow and have a V-shaped cross-section. Valley glaciers can be found in regions with high elevation and cold temperatures, such as the Alps and the Rocky Mountains. Ice sheets: Ice sheets, also called continental glaciers, are vast expanses of ice covering large continents. They are much larger than valley glaciers and can extend thousands of kilometers. Ice sheets are found in Greenland and Antarctica. Due to their immense size, ice sheets can exert significant pressure on the underlying land, causing it to sink and form basins. Piedmont glaciers: Piedmont glaciers occur when a valley glacier spills onto a relatively flat plain or lowland. As the glacier reaches a broader area, it spreads out and forms a fan-shaped lobe. Piedmont glaciers are common in regions with varying topography, such as Alaska and Patagonia. Hanging glaciers: Hanging glaciers are glaciers suspended on steep slopes or cliffs. They typically form in cirques, which are bowl-shaped depressions on the sides of mountains. Hanging glaciers can detach from the main ice mass and hang precariously above valleys or slopes. These glaciers are often seen in high mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas and the Andes.

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