What do glaciers cause?

Answer 1

Glaciers are formed when snow accumliates over a long period of time, often in a hollow. As the snow builds up the pressure builds up causing the snow to compact so much it is turned to ice.

The ice only becomes a glacier when it starts to move, usually this movement is due to gravity.

There are two types of glacier, valley glaciers and ice sheets. As you can imagine valley glaciers are formed in valleys where a river has frozen. These can often lead to the formation of ribbon lakes, hanging valleys, U-shaped valleys and truncated spurs.

Ice sheets are simpley large glaciers that can be anywhere, some are small, others are the soze of continents. As they move they can cause plucking and abrasion. As well as this they can cause corries and drumlins, amongst other things.

Answer 2

Snowfall at their point of origin. As the overlying snow becomes heavier, the snow below becomes more dense and turns into ice. The weight of the ice causes the glacier to flow downhill from its point of origin, usually near the top of a mountain range.

Answer 3

The causes of the major global glacial events are unknown. The events appear to be related to the position of the continents, which significantly affects both ocean circulation and global climate. Once a glacial event has begun small regular changes in the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface appear to influence the advances and retreats of the continental glaciers.

Answer 4

when it snows, not all of the snow melts in some places. then the next time it snows it builds on top of that. after hundreds of years with this proses you get a glacier