All About Glaciers

Glaciers

Glaciology is the study of glaciers and their processes. Glaciers are such an amazing phenomenon, they even have their own science! They’re really important, and seem to be one of the things we take advantage of. We use them for water, and electricity. Did you know, that if all glaciers were to melt, sea levels would rise 70 meters worldwide? This would cause flood, and property damage. All coast lines would be underwater! Thus begins the “glacial controversy”. Are glaciers needed? Do they cause more harm than damage? Would we be better off without them? Well, regardless of our opinion, due to global warming, glaciers are slowly melting. Humans are the cause of this, and we should unrelentingly strive to better it for future generations.

Andean Glaciers are an example of this . In May of 1970, an earthquake triggered an ice Glaciers are destructive to nature and humanity. They are known to cause flash floods. The avalanche, unleashing a flash flood that killed 20,000 people. Glaciers may also threaten agriculture. Due to the loss of glaciers and resulting warmer weather, the bark beetle population has surged immensely. This has resulted in the loss of 33 million acres of trees in British Columbia. During seasonal melts, many cities succumb to intense floods. The excessive monsoon rains that killed 2000 people in Pakistan are proof of this. Since we depend on Glacial water, if the Andean glaciers alone were gone, it will affect the water supply of up to eight million people! This proves, that once again, glaciers are hazardous to mankind.

All over the world, humans take advantage of glaciers. One main use of glaciers is harnessing their water for hydroelectricity. Meltwater serves as the main source of power in South Asia. Glaciers are also a source of freshwater, and as such, humans can melt the glaciers and after a filtration process, can drink it. This water can also be