Why do glaciers flow? Why do glaciers also flow

The glacier movement is somewhat similar to the flow of water, fast in the middle and slow on both sides. If you put a row of flower poles across the glacier, it doesn't take long to see that the middle flower pole runs far to the front, and the original straight line of the flower poles becomes an arc that protrudes downstream. Many oceanic glaciers have a very strange arc of arches, which are caused by the different velocities in the middle and on both sides of the glacier during the movement of the glacier.

There are often many fissures on the surface of glaciers, some of which are tens of meters deep. The presence of fissures indicates that the glacier is brittle. However, after hundreds of years of surveys and observations, the crevasses in the glaciers rarely exceed 60 meters deep.

Most fissures close well below this depth. This in turn shows that the lower part of the glacier is plastic, and it can adapt to various external forces "softly" without rupturing. Therefore, the glacier can be divided into two layers, the layer that is prone to fracture on the surface is called the brittle zone, and the lower "soft" layer is called the plastic zone.

The existence of plastic bands is the root cause of glacial flow. In the case of ice, it is conducive to exhibiting plastic deformation because it is easy to achieve the internal sliding of crystals. However, when the external force suddenly increases, it is easy to exceed the breaking strength of the ice, and brittle deformation (fracture) occurs.

Only when the load is slowly applied and the force is applied for a long time can the ice fully show the characteristics of plastic deformation. We know that when an object is subjected to a force for a long time, even if this force is small, it will produce plastic deformation. In the lower part of the glacier, due to the pressure of the upper ice layer and the thrust of the upstream ice, it is always in a state of stress, so that the plasticity of the lower ice layer is more fully expressed.

At the same time, the melting point of the lower ice layer is slightly lower than that of the upper ice layer, which makes the lower ice layer closer to the melting point, so the plastic deformation is easier to achieve. In this way, it is not difficult to understand the appearance of a plastic zone in the lower part of the glacier. However, the surface layer of the glacier lacks the important condition of long-term stress, and when the external force increases suddenly, it is often elastic or brittle deformation, becoming a brittle zone.

Glaciers are distributed below the average annual temperature of 0

Polar regions with cold climates or high altitudes.

Solid precipitation is predominantly in these areas, and the snowflakes that fall accumulate on the ground and become thicker and thicker. The snow melts under the sun's rays, and immediately condenses into ice due to the low temperature around it. Others, under heavy pressure, are compacted and condensed, forming ice. As this ice continues to increase in volume and weight, it eventually becomes glacial ice.

Glacial ice continues to develop, and flow occurs when gravity is greater than ground friction. Sometimes, glaciers also undergo plastic flow under the action of their own gravity.

Glaciers move slowly, usually only a few centimeters per day, and at most a few meters away.

The reason why glaciers will flow: glaciers are accumulated by snowflakes falling on the ground for many years, and because the snow will melt under the sun, but due to the influence of the surrounding low temperature, the melted snow will immediately condense into ice, and some snow will be compacted and condensed under the action of heavy pressure to form ice, when these ice continue to increase in volume and weight, and eventually form glacier ice, and because the glacier ice continues to develop, it will flow when the gravity is greater than the ground friction, but the flow speed of the glacier is very slow. It is usually only a few centimeters per day, and the most is only a few meters away.

Glaciers are a form of water, which is simply the result of a series of changes and transformations of snow. To form a glacier, there must first be a certain amount of solid precipitation, including snow, fog, hail, etc. If there is not enough solid precipitation as a "raw material", it is equivalent to "cooking without rice", and it cannot form a glacier at all.

In the high mountains, glaciers can develop, and in addition to a certain altitude, the mountains are not too steep. If the mountain peaks are too steep, the snow will fall down the slope and will not form snow and form glaciers.

As soon as the snowflakes fall to the ground, they change, and as the external conditions and time change, the snowflakes will turn into spherical snow that completely loses its crystal characteristics, which is called granular snow, and this snow is the "raw material" of glaciers.

Glaciers are not only one of the most magnificent landscapes on Earth, they are a key component of our modern civilization. Intuitive observation will surprise us: glaciers are usually stationary, but in fact, glaciers also flow. So, why do glaciers flow?

First of all, the flow of glaciers is due to gravity. Glaciers are made up of large amounts of ice, and the enormous weight of the ice creates a pressure force on the surrounding ice meander. In addition, the gravitational pull of the earth also exerts an action on the glaciers, causing them to flow downward.

Secondly, the flow of glaciers is also related to temperature. The lower part of the glacier is affected by the heat of the earth, which leads to the melting of the ice. Flowing glaciers carry melted water downstream, increasing the velocity of the glacier.

Finally, the flow of glaciers is also influenced by the friction of topography, water currents, and rocks. These factors have an impact on the speed and direction of the glacier.

Overall, glacier flows are an important part of a natural process that can affect the development and survival of other ecosystems on Earth. Therefore, we need to better understand the flow of glaciers and understand their dynamics in order to protect and make better use of this precious resource.

The reasons for the flow of glaciers are as follows:

1. Surface radiation is the primary reason for the flow of glaciers. The higher the temperature, the stronger the thermal energy will be, and eventually dissipate on the surface, while in the winter when the sun shines less, the heat dissipation will slow down, and the accumulated heat will increase the temperature of the rock surface, resulting in glacier flow activity.

2. Crustal deformation is also a major factor in glacier flow. Due to the uneven deformation of the earth's crust, there will be "small depressions" and "small" landforms on the surface of the earth, and the front of the glacier cover is not at the highest point, and the glacier will flow in the direction of downward inclination. In addition, the deformation of the earth's crust will also cause the glacial ditch to undergo deformation and collapse, which will affect the glacial flow.

3. The slope of the underlying surface and convection are also important reasons for glacier flow. Because the greater the slope of the glacier slope, the faster the rate of glacier flow, and conversely, if the slope is smaller, the rate of glacier flow will also be slower. In addition, convection phenomena can also make the glacial ditch wetter, making it easier for the glacier to flow.

4. The rise of the water level in the upper reaches of the glacier will naturally be a factor that leads to the flow of the glacier, because the water level rises, the force of the glacier will increase, if the water level is maintained within a certain range, the glacier ditch will burst, and the unbalanced force will also appear, so that the glacier will flow phenomenon.

Difference Between Glacier and Iceberg:

1. Different definitions:

1. Iceberg: Iceberg refers to a large piece of freshwater ice that breaks off the seaside end of a glacier or polar ice sheet and falls into the sea.

2. Glaciers: Glaciers are natural ice bodies that have existed on the surface of the polar regions or Zhiqi alpine areas for many years and have a state of movement along the ground.

Second, the formation method is different:

1. Iceberg: At the place where the glacier or ice sheet (shelf) meets the sea, the mutual movement of ice and sea water makes the end of the glacier or ice sheet break into the sea and become an iceberg.

2. Glaciers: Glaciers are formed by ice formation such as compaction, recrystallization, and refreezing of snow cover for many years.

The main reasons for the flow of glaciers are as follows:

1.Gravity: Glaciers are formed by the accumulation of snow, which gradually turns into ice over time, and under the influence of gravity, the glaciers naturally move lower. Gravity increases the pressure above, causing plastic deformation and flow within the glacier.

2.Accumulation and melting: Glaciers maintain their flow primarily through the process of accumulation and melting.

In the alpine regions, snow accumulates and gradually turns into ice. The speed at which a glacier flows is related to the difference between the rate of accumulation and the rate of melting. When the rate of accumulation is greater than the rate of ablation, the glacier flows forward.

3.Lubrication of the rocky bottom: Glaciers are usually located in valleys with the bottom in direct contact with the rocks.

There is a certain friction between the ice and the rocks at the bottom of the glacier, but under pressure, the ice can be melted by heat, water, or forming a lubricating layer, reducing the friction between the glacier and the rock, thereby facilitating the flow of the glacier.

4.Precipitation and glacier cycles: Glaciers are one of the reservoirs of water, which sustains the flow by receiving precipitation as a supplement to water.

Cave precipitation can enter the glacial system in several forms, such as rain, snow, etc. The melted ice water enters the interior of the glacier, increasing its mass and pushing the glacier alongside.

5.Topography of canyons and valleys: Glaciers usually flow along the contours of valleys or canyons, which is related to the shape of the terrain.

The valley topography is usually V-shaped, and glaciers flow along these shapes. The slope and bend of the terrain also affect the speed and direction of flow of glaciers.

In summary, the flow of glaciers is caused by a combination of factors. Gravity, accumulation and ablation processes, lubrication, precipitation and topography all play an important role in the flow of glaciers. These factors interact to allow glaciers to exhibit flowing properties.