Exploring KS3 Geography: Glaciers
What are glaciers?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land. Glaciers are vast areas of ice that have been formed owing to many years of snowfall that has compacted. It is interesting to note that glaciers only form in certain areas as more snow falls onto these areas and compacts forming into ice. These topics offer an interesting and exciting opportunity to expand KS3 Geography themes.
According to National Geographic: “Glaciers fall into two groups: alpine glaciers and ice sheets.
Alpine glaciers form on the sides of mountains and move downward through valleys. Sometimes, alpine glaciers create or deepen valleys by pushing dirt, soil, and other materials out of their way. It is interesting that Alpine glaciers can be found in high mountains of every continent except Australia (although there are many in New Zealand). The Gorner Glacier in Switzerland and the Furtwangler Glacier in Tanzania are both typical alpine glaciers. Alpine glaciers are also know as valley glaciers or mountain glaciers.
The Ice sheets, unlike alpine glaciers, are not limited to mountainous areas. They form broad domes and spread out from their centers in all directions. As ice sheets spread, they cover everything around them with a thick blanket of ice, including valleys, plains, and even entire mountains. The largest ice sheets are called continental glaciers, spread over vast areas. Today, continental glaciers cover most of Antarctica and the island of Greenland.” (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/glacier/)
Glacial melting:
Those who study glaciers widely accept that they have been hugely impacted by climate change. As a result, whilst not in the Arctic region, an article about Himalayan glacier indicates the melt has doubled since 2000. According to the article in the Guardian: “The melting of Himalayan glaciers has doubled since the turn of the century”. Regarding this scientists have revealed more than a quarter of all ice has been lost over the last four decades. Resultingly the accelerating losses point to a “devastating” future for the region, upon which a billion people depend for regular water.” (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/19/himalayan-glacier-melting-doubled-since-2000-scientists-reveal)
Evidence for global warming – glacial retreat
There is a useful video from the BBC which an be used to raise topics of long-term and short term climate change. Why not discuss the evidence for climate change? For example old paintings can be used to show evidence for climate change. Explain why glaciers advance and retreat. Explain the importance of meltwater. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zntrkqt
What are glaciers? Additional information
If you would like to know more then there is a useful guide on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zftycdm/revision/2
There is useful additional glacier information on the National Geographic Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/topics/glaciers/?q=&page=1&per_page=25
Image: One of our school groups walikng on the Sólheimajökull Glacier in Iceland. For more details on trips focusing on KS3 Geography: glaciers, get in touch using the contact form, via live chat or over the phone.