Glacial Retreat and Advance

Glacial advance occurs when a glacier moves forward, typically due to an increase in snowfall or a decrease in melting.

Glacial retreat is the opposite of glacial advance and occurs when a glacier moves backward, typically due to a decrease in snowfall or an increase in melting.

Calving is the process of glaciers breaking off into smaller pieces, typically at the terminus of the glacier.

Glacial surging is a sudden, rapid movement of a glacier, typically occurring over a short period of time.

Glacial retreat is primarily caused by an increase in temperature, which leads to increased melting and a decrease in snowfall.

Glacial advance is primarily caused by an increase in snowfall, which leads to a thickening of the glacier and a decrease in melting.

Glacial till is the term used to describe the area of land that was once covered by a glacier.

Glacial moraine is the term used to describe a ridge of sediment that is deposited at the edge of a glacier.

Glacial outwash plain is the term used to describe a plain of sediment that is deposited by a glacier.

Glacial valley is the term used to describe a valley that was carved by a glacier.

Ablation is the term used to describe the process of glaciers melting and releasing water.

Accumulation is the term used to describe the process of glaciers accumulating snow and ice.

Equilibrium line is the term used to describe the balance between accumulation and ablation on a glacier.

Glacial maximum is the term used to describe the point at which a glacier reaches its maximum extent.

Glacial minimum is the term used to describe the point at which a glacier reaches its minimum extent.