As I was reading the book “The Midnight Library“, I came across something called pulsating glaciers. I have heard of glaciers, but not pulsating glaciers. Glaciers are enormous masses of ice that move slowly over land. They form from layers of snow that compress into ice over many years. Most glaciers flow steadily. However, some glaciers behave differently from normal glaciers. They pulse.
Pulsating glaciers, also called surging glaciers, have a unique pattern of movement. Pulsating glaciers alternate between two states. Most of the time, they move slowly or stay almost stationary. Then, suddenly, they surge forward rapidly, covering large distances in a short time. It might move up to tens of meters per day instead of just centimeters. This surge can happen over months or even just weeks.
How do they form?
The process behind pulsating glaciers involves two main phases, like the cyclical pattern.
Quiescent Phase: During this phase, the glacier builds up ice and snow. It might appear inactive, but beneath the surface, stress and pressure are accumulating.
Surge Phase: Pressure builds up internally until the ice becomes unstable. The glacier suddenly moved forward. After the surge ends, the glacier returns to a slower mode. It rebuilds mass for decades until the cycle repeats.
Why do they pulse?
The behavior of pulsating glaciers is complex. It is due to several factors.
Internal Ice Deformation: Ice deep within the glacier may distort, allowing the glacier to move.
Melting water: Water from the glacier can act as a lubricant, making it easier for the glacier to slide.
Sediments: Loose sediments or dirt under the glacier can also help it move quickly during a surge.
Other factors like bed topography, water supply, glacier geometry, and debris cover may also play a role in a cyclical surge.
Where do they occur?
Pulsating glaciers are relatively rare. They make up only a small fraction of glaciers globally. But they cluster in specific regions like Alaska (Variegated Glacier), Canada (Menyanthes Glacier), Svalbard, the Pamirs Mountain range, and even the Karakorum range (Lets explore them later).
Methods to study pulsating glaciers
Satellite imagery: Gives a broad overview and monitors changes over time.
Filed Observations: Scientists conduct field observations on glaciers in order to track and measure their movements.
GPS, drones (for precise data), and seismographs (for detecting ice quakes within the glacier) are all used.
Climate Change and Pulsating Glaciers
With rise in temperature and global warming, there are incidents of change in weather patterns. Climate change has made pulsating glacier behavior more relevant. As the world warms, many glaciers recede and lose mass overall. Surge-type glaciers in some cold environments appear to have become more unstable and surging in recent decades. Some of the reasons include,
Increased Meltwater: As the glacier melts, more water accumulates at its base, potentially triggering surges
Permafrost: Melting permafrost can disrupt glacier beds. This allows the rapid movement of glaciers during surge phases.
The Impact
Landscape Transformation: Rapid surges reshape valleys. They create new landforms like mountains and outwash plains.
Water Systems: Surging glaciers can block rivers, forming temporary lakes that might burst and cause downstream flooding.
Ecosystems: Changes in glacier behavior can the ecosystems. It affects both local flora and fauna, disturbing the normal.
Flood Risks: Sudden surges and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) can damage the banks, people and infrastructure.
Water Resources: Glaciers are a vital source of freshwater. This change of behavior can impact the availability of water for agriculture and drinking.
We can reduce the emissions. Additionally, implementing the monitoring systems and early warning systems for GLOFs can protect communities around the glaciers.
Pulsating glaciers are a fascinating aspect of our planet’s ice systems. As technology advances, we will continue to uncover the mysteries behind these incredible natural phenomena. Moreover, we have to be conscious of our actions making sure that we are not accelerating the melting of glaciers.
Cheers
PS: Glaciers have names!
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