Glacier ice has similar qualities to other ice, but larger crystals and slower melt rate distinguish it. Glacial movement is described as basal or flow, and retreat occurs when melting exceeds freezing.
Glacier ice is very similar to other forms of ice, although there are some differences. All types of ice share the same qualities of density, viscosity, heat capacity and thermal conductivity. Some things that distinguish glacier ice, such as its larger crystals and slower melt rate, are caused by the way glaciers form. Over time, layer upon layer of continued snow causes the lower layers of snow to begin to break away and form into ice.
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While it is no colder than other forms of ice, glacier ice takes longer to melt. This is because the ice crystals that make up the glacier are larger than the crystals found in normal ice. Ice melts from the outside in, so the larger crystals protect more of the surface during that process, which slows the rate of melting.
Glacial movement is usually described in two ways. Basal movement refers to the gradual advance of the glacier as a whole over land. Glacial flow refers to situations where portions of the glacier move faster than other portions, such as the sides moving at a slower rate than the upper and central areas.
A glacier retreat occurs when the ice begins to melt faster than the ice crystals freeze, giving the impression that the glacier is moving backwards.
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