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A large body of glacial ice astride a mountain, mountain range, or volcano is termed an ice cap or ice field. [ 10 ] Ice caps have an area less than 50,000 km 2 (19,000 sq mi) by definition. Glacial bodies larger than 50,000 km 2 (19,000 sq mi) are called ice sheets or continental glaciers. [ 11 ]
In rough water, fresh sea ice is formed by the cooling of the ocean as heat is lost into the atmosphere. The uppermost layer of the ocean is supercooled to slightly below the freezing point, at which time tiny ice platelets (frazil ice) form. With time, this process leads to a mushy surface layer, known as grease ice.
Glaciology (from Latin glacies 'frost, ice' and Ancient Greek λόγος (logos) 'subject matter'; lit.'study of ice') is the scientific study of glaciers, or, more generally, ice and natural phenomena that involve ice. Glaciology is an interdisciplinary Earth science that integrates geophysics, geology, physical geography, geomorphology ...
The flow of liquid water and ice transports minerals across the globe. It also reshapes the geological features of the Earth, through processes including erosion and sedimentation. The water cycle is also essential for the maintenance of most life and ecosystems on the planet. Human actions are greatly affecting the water cycle.
The ocean is a major driver of Earth's water cycle. Ocean water represents the largest body of water within the global water cycle (oceans contain 97% of Earth's water). Evaporation from the ocean moves water into the atmosphere to later rain back down onto land and the ocean. [ 68 ]
Deposition (geology) Map of Cape Cod showing shores undergoing erosion (cliffed sections) in yellow, and shores characterized by marine deposition (barriers) in blue. [1] Deposition is the geological process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to a landform or landmass. Wind, ice, water, and gravity transport previously weathered ...
Meltwater is water that melts off of glaciers or snow. It then flows into a river or collects on the surface forming a melt pond, which may re-freeze. It may also collect under ice or frozen ground. Meltwater provides drinking water for a large proportion of the world's population, as well as providing water for irrigation and hydroelectric ...
An iceberg is a piece of freshwater ice more than 15 meters (16 yards) long [ 1 ] that has broken off a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open water. [ 2 ][ 3 ] Smaller chunks of floating glacially derived ice are called "growlers" or "bergy bits". [ 4 ][ 5 ] Much of an iceberg is below the water's surface, which led to the ...