PHYSICAL WORLD ESCI 243  -  NICHOLS COLLEGE ONLINE COURSE

Professor Mauri S. Pelto, 508-213-2168 peltoms@nichols.edu   

Glaciers and Sea Level Rise

Home Page Plate Tectonic Setting Earthquakes Volcanic Hazards Glaciers-Sea Level Rise Coastal Management
Water Resources Groundwater Management Global Warming Fossil Fuel Resources Alternative Energy Sources River Types-Flooding
Glaciers are an important water resource in mountain regions adjacent to populated areas such as the Himalayas, Andes, Alps, Canadian Rockies, North Cascades.  Glaciers hold more than 75% of the world's freshwater. Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, frozen in place instead of dammed in place.

Readings:

Concept Questions: 

1.  What is the difference between an ice sheet and an alpine or mountain glacier?

2.  What is an ice shelf and how is it distinguished from the rest of an ice sheet?  As an ice shelf shrinks how does it impact sea level? What has happened to the Larsen Ice Shelf recently? Ice shelves

3.  How have the world's alpine glaciers responded to global warming to date? Note table on page 201.Glacier Retreat

Assignment:  Examine the impact of global warming on North Cascade glaciers.  Pay attention to the pages at this site on Global Warming, Death of a Glacier and Glacier Runoff.    How will water resources be affected by this change?  How quickly is this change occurring?