outlet glacier
Quick Summary
An outlet glacier is a stream of ice flowing from a larger ice mass, such as an ice sheet or ice cap, towards the sea. These glaciers are essentially the seaward extensions of ice streams originating from inland ice fields. They are a significant factor in the dynamics of ice sheets and can contribute to sea level rise through the calving of icebergs. The flow rate of outlet glaciers can be very high, sometimes exceeding 35 meters per day, and their advance or retreat can occur independently of climatic variations. While the melting of mountain glaciers is a known contributor to sea level rise, the exact contribution from outlet glaciers of large ice sheets like Antarctica is still uncertain.123
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glacial landformTypes of glaciers…kilometres, with tonguelike protrusions called outlet glaciers. Viewed by themselves, these are nearly indistinguishable from the lower reaches of a large valley glacier system. Consequently, many of the landforms produced by valley glaciers and continental ice sheets are similar or virtually identical, though they often differ in magnitude. Nonetheless, each…
Read More…kilometres, with tonguelike protrusions called outlet glaciers. Viewed by themselves, these are nearly indistinguishable from the lower reaches of a large valley glacier system. Consequently, many of the landforms produced by valley glaciers and continental ice sheets are similar or virtually identical, though they often differ in magnitude. Nonetheless, each…
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glacierClassification of mountain glaciersOutlet glaciers are valley glaciers that originate in ice sheets, ice caps, and ice fields. Because of the complex shapes of mountain landscapes and the resulting variety of situations in which glaciers can develop, it is difficult to draw clear distinctions among the various types…
Read MoreOutlet glaciers are valley glaciers that originate in ice sheets, ice caps, and ice fields. Because of the complex shapes of mountain landscapes and the resulting variety of situations in which glaciers can develop, it is difficult to draw clear distinctions among the various types…
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