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The zone of fracture experiences tension hen the glacier moves over irregular terrain. This tension results in gaping cracks called crevasses. Crevasses can be 50 meters deep. They are often hidden by snow and make travel across glaciers dangerous.

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Why do crevasses form in the upper portion of a glacier but not below a depth of about 50 meters?

Crevasses form on the upper portion of the glacier because when a glacier moves over irregular terrain, the zone of fracture is subjected to tension, which forms the crevasse. The reason why it may not form below the depth of 50 feet is because plastic flow seals them off.


A glacier will begin to flow when it reaches what critical thickness?

Slope and temperature play a very important role here, the steeper the slope and the higher the temperature, the easier the glacies flows. That being said, a glacier typically starts to flow when it reaches a thickness of between say 50 and 200 meters, depending on slope and temperature. The speed at which it flows is then several meters per year to several tens of meters per year, again depending on slope and temperature.


Is it true that due to the force of friction a glacier will start to move downhill once the layer of snow and ice is more than about 30 to 40 meters deep?

Yes, the force of friction between the glacier and the ground is one of the factors that allows glaciers to move downhill under their own weight. This movement occurs once the thickness of the glacier reaches a critical depth where the force of gravity overcomes the frictional resistance. Once this threshold is reached, the glacier will start to flow downslope.


Can you watch a glacier move?

Glaciers move very slowly over time due to gravity and pressure from accumulating ice. While you may not see noticeable movement in real-time, time-lapse photography can capture the gradual flow of a glacier over days, months, or years. Observing changes in glacier position, shape, and crevasses can indicate their movement.


By how much is the North Moraine Hill Glacier moving each year?

Glaciers can move at different rates depending on various factors, such as temperature, slope, and ice thickness. On average, glaciers can move anywhere from a few centimeters to a few meters per day. To determine the specific rate at which the North Moraine Hill Glacier is moving each year, a study or monitoring of the glacier's movement would need to be conducted.

Related Questions

What is the area of Sperry Glacier?

The area of Sperry Glacier is 874,120.9872384 square meters.


How many meters deep is the Lambert Glacier?

According to its Wikipedia entry: "Lambert Glacier is a major glacier in East Antarctica. At about 60 miles wide, over 250 miles long, and about 2,500 m deep, it holds the Guinness world record for the world's largest glacier."


Why do crevasses form in the upper portion of a glacier but not below a depth of about 50 meters?

Crevasses form on the upper portion of the glacier because when a glacier moves over irregular terrain, the zone of fracture is subjected to tension, which forms the crevasse. The reason why it may not form below the depth of 50 feet is because plastic flow seals them off.


How big is the Bering Sea?

The Bering Glacier is the largest (5200 sq km) and longest (190km) glacier in North America. It is 800 meters thick


In 2010 a glacier was 171 meters away from a road every year since then it has moved 3 meters closer to the road at this rate in what year will the glacier meet the road?

It will take 57 years, so it will meet it in 2067.


What is the average height of a Glacier?

The average height of a glacier can vary greatly depending on factors such as location, climate, and size. However, most glaciers range in height from a few meters to several hundred meters. Some of the largest glaciers, like those in Antarctica and Greenland, can reach heights of over 3,000 meters.


What is the largest interior glacier?

The world's largest glacier is the Lambert glacier in Antarctica , according to the United States Geological Survey.The glacier is more than 60 miles (96 km) wide at its widest point, about 270 miles (435) long, and has been measured to be 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) deep at its center.


A glacier will begin to flow when it reaches what critical thickness?

Slope and temperature play a very important role here, the steeper the slope and the higher the temperature, the easier the glacies flows. That being said, a glacier typically starts to flow when it reaches a thickness of between say 50 and 200 meters, depending on slope and temperature. The speed at which it flows is then several meters per year to several tens of meters per year, again depending on slope and temperature.


What is the average thickness of a glacier?

The average thickness of glaciers decrease every year due to global warming and the melting of the polar ice caps. The average thickness of the Himalayan glacier is 85 and 175 meters thick.


When does the snow and ice that make up glacier begin to move downhill?

Once snow and ice reach more than 30 to 40 meters gravity begins to pull the glacier downhill.I hope I helped you!!! =)


A glacier moves at the rate of 43.0 meters per year how far will it move in four centuries?

1 century = 100 years 4 centuries = 400 years (43 meters/year) x (400 years) = 739,600 meters, IF the rate remains constant throughout the 4 centuries.


Once the depth of snow and ice reaches more than 30 to 40 meters the force of friction begins to pull a glacier downhill true or false?

True. As a glacier's depth increases beyond 30 to 40 meters, the force of friction will eventually overcome the glacier's ability to resist movement, causing it to flow downhill under the influence of gravity. This movement is what allows glaciers to slowly advance and shape the landscape.