Abstract:
A glacier is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. It forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation (melting and sublimation) over many years, often centuries (Cuffy and Paterson, 2010). Glaciers slowly deform and flow due to stresses induced by their weight, creating crevasses, cirques, and other distinguishing features. The movement may be as little as few centimeters a day to much larger or faster.