The largest glacier in the world. The most beautiful largest glaciers in the world

Speaking about the largest glaciers in the World, it is worth mentioning that they exist of several types: cirque, valley, cover, etc. The vast majority of glaciation on Earth belongs to ice caps Antarctica and Greenland, that is, to the ice caps. I would only like to note that the thickness of the ice there reaches grandiose indicators - more than 4 km.

Large ice caps are found on the islands Canadian Arctic Archipelago. They number in tens of thousands of square kilometers. They are followed by huge ice fields. Svalbard.

Approximately 50 percent total area north island archipelago New Earth conquered the majestic glaciers. On the territory of almost 20,000 km2 there is a continuous ice shell, which has a length of 400 kilometers and a width of 70-75 kilometers. The thickness of the ice is more than 300 meters. In some places, the ice goes into the fjords or breaks into the sea, forming icebergs.

Vatnajökull(oh those Scandinavian names!) is the largest glacier on the island of Iceland. It is located in the southwestern part of the island and occupies 8% of its territory, or 8,133 km2.

Glacier Jostedalsbreen- the largest continental glacier in mainland Europe, covering an area of 487 km2. Located in Norway. It has over 50 branches, including the famous Briksdalsbreen and Nigardsbreen glaciers.

South America

Now from the north of Europe we will be transported to South America. Patagonian Ice Plateau no less striking. It consists of two parts: the North, spread over the territory of 7,600 km2 and the South - on the territory of 12,000 km2. The prevailing surface heights are about 1500 m. Rocky peaks and mountains rise among the ice (the highest point is Mt. Bertrand, 3270 m). At the level of the glacial plateau, 7000–8000 mm of precipitation falls annually. Outflowing glaciers flow from the plateau, many on the east side end in fjords, and on the west in lakes. The largest of them Perito Moreno and Uppsala. The first has an area of 250 km2. The width of the tongue is 5 km, average height- 60 m above the water surface. The speed of its movement is 2 m per day. However, the mass loss is about the same, so the tongue of the glacier did not retreat or advance for 90 years. The length of the Uppsala Glacier is 60 km, the width is up to 8 km, and the area is 250 km2. It descends into the northern arm of Lake Lago Argentino.

North America

Now back to North America. About Canadian arctic archipelago we have already said. Another gathering place big glaciers is Alaska. Bering Glacier- the largest mountain (tree-like) glacier North America. It originates from the ice fields on the mountains Chugach (4116 m) and St. Elias (5489 m) in Alaska (USA). The length (from the most remote source) is 203 km, the area is about 5800 km2. It comes out on the low coast of the Gulf of Alaska, where it forms a foothill ice lobe about 80 km long and 43 km wide.

Malaspina- foothill glacier south coast Alaska, between Yakutat Bay and Ice Bay. The area is 2200 km2. Formed by several glacial streams descending from the mountains of St. Elijah. The feeding area is the Seward glacial basin, located at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Since the 30s of the 20th century, the glacier has been shrinking, receding from the ocean shore, leaving a shaft of terminal moraine, gradually overgrown with coniferous forest.

No less grandiose are the glaciers of Alaska Hubbard(length 122 km) and Colombia(length 66 km, area 1370 km2). The vast firn fields of the latter lie at altitudes of about 3600 m, and the main stem of the glacier, 4 km wide, reaches Pacific Ocean in Prince William Bay.

High mountain valley glaciers

Before that, we talked about high-latitude glaciers that feed at relatively low altitudes. Now let's turn our attention to the glaciers located in the highest mountain systems ah world. These are typical mountain-valley glaciers. Although most of them have a complex tree structure, many tributaries, they differ, first of all, in a long valley tongue.

Oddly enough, the highest Mountain chain on earth has relatively small glaciers. Glaciers of the Himalayas in do not exceed the length of 30 km (Gangotri glacier - 26 km, Zemu glacier - 25, Rongbuk glacier - 19 km).

Largest number large glaciers located in the Karakorum mountain system. These include Baltoro, Siachen, Biafo. We will turn to them a little later, and now we will pay attention to one of the most interesting and largest glaciers in the world - Fedchenko.

Pamir

Fedchenko Glacier, the first largest in the CIS and one of the largest glaciers in the world: its length is 77 km, width - from 1700 to 3100 m. It is located in Tajikistan, in the Pamirs. The glacier originates at the foot of the Revolution peak on the northern slope of the Yazgulemsky ridge and flows along the eastern slope of the Academy of Sciences ridge. The ice thickness in the middle part of the glacier reaches 1000 m, the total area of glaciation and snowfields is 992 km2. The upper end of the glacier is at an altitude of 6280 m, and the lower end is at 2900 m, the height of the snow line is 4650 m. The Seldar River flows out of the glacier.

The history of the discovery of the glacier goes back to the end of the 19th century. In 1871, the first Russian expedition led by A.P. arrived in the Pamirs. Fedchenko (a well-known naturalist and researcher of Turkestan). The expedition charted general scheme ridges of the Pamirs, having explored the Zaalai ridge in more detail and discovered the highest peak of this ridge (now Lenin Peak - 7134 m). At the same time, the expedition also discovered a huge glacier, now bearing the name of Fedchenko. In the basin of this glacier are highest peaks Pamir, with its height under heaven and inaccessibility, attracting the attention of domestic and foreign climbers. In the upper reaches of the glacier is the peak of the Revolution (6974 m), almost anywhere on the glacier you can see the highest mountain peak former USSR and the second in the Pamirs - the peak of Communism (7495 m). Near Communism Peak are Russia Peak (6852 m) and Garmo Peak (6595 m). At present, the highest hydrometeorological observatory in the world (more than 4200 m) is located on the Fedchenko glacier.

Karakoram

As already mentioned, the largest number of large high-mountain glaciers is located in the Karakoram mountain system. These include: Siachen, Baltoro, Biafo. Baltoro is located in the Central Karakoram to the south-east of the city of Chogori (K2) - the second highest peak in the world (8611). The length of the glacier is 62 km, the area is 750 km2. According to some data, the area of the glacier is 1227 km2, and if these figures are correct, then they are larger than those of the Fedchenko glacier (992 km2). Siachen- a valley tree-like glacier in the Karakorum (India). The length is 76 km, the area is about 750 km2. It flows down from the eastern slope of the Konduz ridge at the junction with the watershed ridge of the Karakorum at altitudes up to 7000 m. The glacier flows to the east, for a large extent it is partially (in some places completely) covered with a cover of rock fragments; ends at an altitude of 3550 m. Biafo Glacier located on the southern slope of the Karakorum. The length is about 68 km, the area is 620 km2.

Tien Shan

Southern Inylchek- the largest glacier in the Tien Shan and the second largest mountain glacier in the CIS countries after the Fedchenko glacier in the Pamirs. It is located between the Tengritag and Kokshaaltau ridges. Its length is 58.9 km, area is 567.2 km2. The glacier originates in the Khan Tengri region, and its tongue descends to 2800 m. The southern Inylchek flows several kilometers to the north, and then turns sharply to the west. The thickness of the ice in the lower parts of the tongue is 150-200 m. The powerful left tributaries of the glacier, lying in the northern spurs of the Kokshaaltau ridge, have their own names: Asterisk, Wild, Proletarian Tourist, Komsomolets (from east to west). When viewed from above, the glacier looks like a white-blue tree with longitudinal dark stripes of median moraines on its main trunk and a series of light branches of different lengths and thicknesses. The largest of the tributary glaciers are the Zvyozdochka and Dikiy glaciers.

Alps

Great Aletsch Glacier, located on the southern slope of the Bernese Alps in Switzerland - the most big glacier in the Alps, covers an area of 87 km2, and taking into account the area of four firn basins that feed it, about 117 km2. The total length of the Aletsch Glacier is about 24 kilometers. Thickness up to 900 m.

Caucasus

Bezengi- a complex valley glacier, the largest in the Caucasus. It is located on the northern slope of the Main Range at the foot of the Bezengi wall. It descends from the peaks of Shkhara and Dzhangitau to a height of 2080 m and serves as the main source of the Cherek-Bezengi river. Length 17.6 km, sq. 36.2 km2. Firn line at an altitude of 3600 m. The lower 5 km of the glacial tongue are covered with melted debris. From 1888 to 1966, the language retreated by 1115 m, and is currently continuing to retreat. More than 10 of its former tributaries have turned into independent glaciers. Bezengi is followed by the Dykh-Su glaciers (length 13.3 km, area 34.0 km2) and Karaugom (length 13.3 km, area 26.6 km2).

Altai

The entire Altai glaciation taken together is nothing more than one of the largest valley glaciers in the world. Although the same can be said about the Caucasus. But even in this case, the largest glaciers of Altai are impressive. Potanin Glacier(Potanin-Musen-Gol) has an area of 38.5 km2, a length of 11.5 km. Its vast snow field is surrounded by five peaks arranged in the form of a horseshoe. On the right, the Potanin glacier receives 2 glacial tributaries - the upper smaller and the lower larger Alexandra glacier (A.V. Potanina). There is a single small tributary on the left side of the glacier. The tongue of the Potanin glacier has a slight slope; there are cracks only in the middle reaches. It descends to a height of 2900 m, the lower part is covered with moraine. Melt water enters the Tsagan-Gol river basin. Glacier V.V. Sapozhnikov in 1905 and named after G.N. Potanin.

Taldurinsky glacier (Big Taldurinsky) lies on the elephants of the South Chuya Range. Length 7.5 km, area 28.2 km2. The height of the end of the glacier is 2450 m. The thickness of the ice reaches 175 m. It is the largest glacier in the Russian Altai. It originates from 7 sources in the circus, in the frame of which peaks rise about 4000 m high (Iiktu and others). It has a narrow exit to the northeast, to the valley of the Taltura River.

Sapozhnikov Glacier (Mensu)- the largest in the Katunsky ridge of Altai (descends from the slopes of Belukha), its length is 10.5 km, area - 13.2 km2.

The most unique, famous glaciers.

The length of the glacier is approximately 62 km, it is the longest glacier in the world outside the polar regions. The glacier is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Baltoro is surrounded by the Karakoram mountains and is located between the Baltoro Muztag ridge from the north and the Masherbrum ridge from the south, the most high mountain in this area K2 (8611 m). The lower part of the glacier is located at an altitude of 3400 m above sea level, followed by the melting zone of the glacier, which gives rise to the Biafo River.

concentrated in Antarctica the largest number ice, and, consequently, reserves fresh water on the planet. The maximum thickness of ice on the continent is 4800 meters, the average thickness of ice covering the continent is 2600 meters. Moreover, in the central part of Antarctica, the thickness of the ice is greater, and less towards the coast. Ice seems to flow from the continent into the ocean. Having reached the ocean, the ice breaks off into large pieces called icebergs.
The volume of glaciers is 30,000,000 square kilometers, which is 90% of all ice on the planet.

The Kilimanjaro glacier does not belong to the largest glaciers, but its uniqueness is that it is located near the equator in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro glacier formed 11,700 years ago. Since 1912, it has been noticed by observations that the area of the glacier began to gradually decrease.
By 1987, the area of the glacier had decreased by more than 85% compared to 1912.
Now the absolute area of the glacier is less than 2 square kilometers. km. According to calculations scientists glacier will disappear completely by 2033.

Glacier Aletsch (Aletschgletscher)

The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps. Its length is 23 km., The area of the glacier is 123 square kilometers. The glacier includes 3 adjoining small glaciers. Max Depth ice is 1000 meters. The glacier has been a listed property since 2001 world heritage UNESCO (Object No. 1037bis).

Harker Glacier is located on the island of South Georgia in the southern part of Atlantic Ocean. The uniqueness of the Harker Glacier is its method of formation. This glacier is a tidal glacier. Discovered in 1901 by a Swedish expedition led by Otto Nordenskiöld and Carl Anton Larsen. The glacier is quite stable in its area and volume, although its shape changes over time.

Jostedalsbreen Glacier

The Jostedalsbreen Glacier is the largest glacier in continental Europe. The length of the glacier is 60 km., The area is about 487 square kilometers. Like most other glaciers in the world, Jostedalsbreen is gradually decreasing in size and volume. In 2006, one of the branches of the glacier was reduced by 50 meters in a few months.

Vatnajökull Glacier

The Vatnajökull glacier is located in Iceland, is the largest glacier in Europe, so, its area is 8100 square kilometers, the volume of the glacier is estimated at 3100 cubic kilometers. The glacier covers volcanoes, inside the glacier there are caves formed by geysers - hot springs of water. The maximum ice thickness is about 1000 meters.

Hubbard Glacier - located on the border of Alaska and Canada. The glacier was discovered in 1895. The length of the glacier is 122 kilometers. The glacier rests on Yakutat Bay. The height of the ice in the bay reaches 120 meters above sea level, the width of the glacier near the bay is from 8 to 15 kilometers, depending on the season.

The Franz Josef Glacier is located in New Zealand. The length of the glacier is 12 kilometers, it was discovered in 1859. The glacier has phases of increase and decrease; after 2010, it entered an active phase of decrease (retreat).

The Perito Moreno Glacier is located in the southwestern part of the province of Santa Cruz, in Argentina.
The length of the glacier is about 30 km, the area of the glacier is 250 km. square. The glacier moves along the slopes of the mountains to Lake Argentino at a speed of about 2 meters per day. Periodically, the glacier covers the lake, dividing it into 2 parts. Water in the southern part of the lake due to rivers and streams begins to rise compared to northern part. The level difference is more than 30 meters, under the influence of water pressure, the isthmus collapses, and water flows rush to the northern part of the lake.

Importance glaciers play to replenish all the rivers of the world. 16 million sq. km - such is their total area, this is about 11% of the entire land. They contain huge reserves of fresh water. There are a huge number of them in Russia, with an area of about 60 thousand square meters. km. Glaciers in Russia are divided into two types, according to the method of their formation:

Integumentary. This is the vast majority of all glacial systems in the country. These include the ice of Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya and other Arctic islands. The average thickness on the islands in the North Arctic Ocean- from 100 to 300 meters. They store huge reserves of fresh water.
Mountain glaciers of Russia. Their share in the total area is only 5%. These are glacial accumulations of the mountain ranges of the Caucasus, the Urals, Kamchatka. For their formation, two conditions must be met: negative air temperatures and precipitation. Often, if it often rains in the mountains, then they are accompanied by warm weather.

Variety of glaciers

There are many classifications of glaciers, including mountain glaciers. What varieties of them can be found in our country?

Snow spots. Accumulation of snow in gentle valleys and slopes.
Glaciers of stepped slopes. The snow mass gathers at the shady foot of the mountain and is fed by avalanches.
Hanging glaciers. They are located on steep slopes, as if hanging over it. They are small in size, but they are dangerous, as they can break down.
Car glaciers. Snow masses in armchair-like valleys, with a steep back wall.
Glaciers of volcanic peaks. They occupy the tops of the mountains.
Transitional glaciers. They have a common beginning - the top of the ridge, but the stakes are in opposite directions from it.
Norwegian type. This type of glaciers is transitional from mountain to cover. Ice caps of plateau-like peaks spread downwards. Having reached the edge, they go down in separate foci.
Valleys are located in mountain valleys.

The mountain glaciers of Russia do not remain the same in area. Some shrink, others grow, and there are those that change their position as they move. What are the largest glaciers in Russia? List of 5 largest mountain systems with multi-year ice as follows.

Caucasus

This is the most big center accumulation of mountain glaciers. On the Russian part i.e. on its northern slope, huge masses are concentrated, with a total area of 1400 sq. km. This is more than 2000 glaciers. Basically they small size, up to 1 sq. km in diameter. The largest glacier in Russia is a complex in Kabardino-Balkaria with an area of over 120 sq. km. Another major snowy peak in the Caucasus is extinct volcano Kazbek. It is here that more than 60% of all ice in the Caucasus is concentrated. A feature is their alpine character. Russian part snow peaks Greater Caucasus is located on its northern slope, it is smoother and more extended, in contrast to the southern one. Here, more than 70% of the ice of the Greater Caucasus. The southern slope is steep and steep, it has 30% snow Caucasus mountains. The glaciation of this ridge is important for feeding the rivers that originate here. These are Belaya, Zelenchuk, Laba - and - Ardon, Urukh, Baksan. The glaciers of the Caucasus Mountains are retreating and their area is shrinking. Although this decrease is insignificant, the feeding of the rivers suffers from it. Over a century, the level of the snow line has risen by 70-75 cm. Sometimes there is a short-term advance of ice in some areas.

Altai

In second place in the list of the largest mountain glaciers in the country are the snows of Altai. Here, in the south of Siberia, there are about 1,500 hearths, which occupy an area of more than 900 square meters. km. The largest glaciations are on the Katunsky, South-Chuysky and North-Chuysky ridges. Large masses are concentrated on Mount Belukha, where the great Altai river Katun and its tributaries. These places have become the most favorite and popular among climbers throughout Altai. Here is the Akkem glacier. Some believe that he has a special energy, and charges his visitors with it. Another snowy peak of Altai is Aktru. The mountain is famous for its enormous temperature difference. In summer there is unbearable heat, and in winter - severe cold. For this, Aktru is considered a local cold point. The temperature here drops to minus 62ºС. But even despite such difficult climatic conditions, there are a lot of people who want to see these glaciers in Russia. Pictures of their landscapes are simply mesmerizing.

Kamchatka

The present-day glaciation of the peninsula is significant. The snow masses here are larger than in the Caucasus. There are about 450 of them, with a total area of over 900 square meters. km. Their main concentration is on the Sredinny Ridge and the Klyuchevskaya group. Russian glaciers in Kamchatka have interesting feature. They are classified as so-called caldera, because of the method of formation. They are formed in calderas and craters of volcanoes and hills, of which there are a huge number on the peninsula. In Kamchatka, the warm season is short, and the snow that falls on the tops of the hills does not have time to melt. Another feature of the snows of Kamchatka is their low position. Glaciers descend from the peaks to a height of 1600 meters. Great importance in the life of the snows have volcanic eruptions. During the eruption, the glaciers actively melt and fill the rivers with melt water.

Koryak Range

It is also called Located on Far East, captures Chukotka autonomous region And Kamchatka Krai. Total number There are 1330 glaciers here, and their area is more than 250 sq. km. The Koryak highland consists of short ridges and ridges that stretch from the northeast to the southwest. Russian glaciers in the Far East are elongated, up to 4 km long. They are located very low, much lower than the snow line, at the level of 700-1000 meters. This is explained climatic conditions and the proximity of the cold sea. Another glacier in Russia - - its highest point is at 2562 meters.

Mountains of Suntar-Khayat

These glaciers of Russia are located on the territory of Yakutia and Khabarovsk Territory. There are 208 of them here, with a total area of over 200 square kilometers. The ridge stretched for 450 km, and its highest point - Mount Cape Khaya - at a level of almost 3000 meters. In addition to mountain glaciers, there are about 800 sq. km tyrynov. This is the name of a large perennial icing, which is formed when groundwater freezes.

The thickness of such ice is usually about 8 meters. Suntar Khayata is the watershed of such major rivers Siberia, like Indigirka, Aldan, and rivers of the Sea of Okhotsk basin.

Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Iceland, covering 8% of the island. The Vatnajokull glacier is located in the southwest of Iceland and is popular place For walking tours on glaciers and ice caves.

Facts about the Vatanjokull Glacier Vatnajökull

Surface: 8,100 km2
Average thickness: 400 - 600 m
Maximum thickness: 1000 m
Height: 1400 - 1800 m
Highest peak: 2,200 m (Hvannadalshnjúkur)

Information about the Vatanjokull Glacier Vatnajökull

The Vatnajokull glacier lies within the larger Vatnäjokull National Park, which encompasses the former national parks of Skaftafell, to the southwest, and Jokulsarglufur, to the north. Highest point glacier Vatnajokull is Hvannadalshnyukur, which lies on top of a stratovolcano known as Öræfajökull.

Beneath the glacier are some of the most active volcanoes in the country, the most notable being Grimsvotn, Öræfajökull and Bárðabunga. Volcanic activity has been occurring in the region for centuries, and many geologists believe it will continue to do so in the near future. If their calculations are correct, this means a significant volcanic activity for Vatnajokull over the next half century.

The glacier boasts over 30 glacier tongues that flow from ice caps, but remain limited to the sides of the valley. The main tongues of the Vatnajokull glaciers are Dingujokull in the north, Breidramerkurhokull and Skiyarrajokull in the south. To the west, the languages Síðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull can be found.

Glaciers are in constant motion under the weight of the ice. Every year, due to the melting and movement of ice, new ice caves appear, which soon disappear.

Ice caves in Vatnajokull

Anyone who has seen pictures of ice caves knows that it is worth seeing. Since Vatnajokull is the largest glacier in Europe, it is one of the the best places to see this natural wonder - ice caves. Every year visitors get the opportunity to see the natural ice cave V national park Vatnajokull.

Ice caves only form in winter when the glacial rivers disappear and the water freezes. Their location, shapes and sizes are constantly changing, making them a distinctive and unique sight.

If you plan to try your luck and see an ice cave in Iceland, please do so under professional guidance - the weather and circumstances can be a big risk!

Glaciers are an extraordinary miracle of nature that slowly moves along the surface of the Earth. This cluster eternal ice on its way captures and carries rocks, forming peculiar landscapes, such as moraines and kars. Sometimes the glacier stops moving and the so-called dead ice is formed.

Some glaciers, advancing a short distance in big lakes or seas, form a zone where a split occurs and, as a result, drifting icebergs.

Geographic feature (value)

Glaciers form in those places where the accumulated mass of snow and ice significantly exceeds the mass of melting snow. And after many years, a glacier will form in such a region.

Glaciers are the largest reservoirs of fresh water on earth. Most glaciers accumulate water during the winter season and release it as melt water. Such waters are especially useful in mountain regions planets where such water is used by people who live in areas where there is little rainfall. Also, the melt waters of glaciers are sources for the existence of flora and fauna.

Characteristics and types of glaciers

According to the method of movement and visual outlines, glaciers are classified into two types: integumentary (continental) and mountainous. Cover glaciers occupy 98% of the total area of planetary glaciation, and mountain glaciers - almost 1.5%.

Continental glaciers - ice sheets giant size which are located in Antarctica and Greenland. Glaciers of this type have flat-convex outlines that do not depend on the typical relief. Snow accumulates in the center of the glacier, and snow is spent mainly on the outskirts. Ice cover glacier moves in a radial direction - from the center to the periphery, where the ice that is afloat breaks off.

Mountain-type glaciers are small in size, but of different shapes, which depend on their content. All glaciers of this type have pronounced areas of feeding, transportation and melting. Food is provided with the help of snow, avalanches, a little sublimation of water vapor and the transfer of snow by the wind.

The largest glaciers

The largest in the world is the Lambert Glacier, which is located in Antarctica. The length is 515 kilometers, and the width ranges from 30 to 120 kilometers, the depth of the glacier is 2.5 km. The entire surface of the glacier is indented big amount cracks. The glacier was discovered in the 1950s by the Australian cartographer Lambert.

In Norway (the Svalbard archipelago) there is the Austfonna glacier, which is the leader in the list of the largest glaciers in the Old Continent (8200 km2).

(Vatnajokull Glacier and Grimswad Volcano)

Iceland is home to the Vatnajökull glacier, which ranks second in Europe in terms of area (8100 km2). The largest in mainland Europe is the Jostedalsbreen glacier (1230 km2), which is a wide plateau with numerous ice outgrowths.

Melting glaciers - causes and consequences

The most dangerous of all modern natural processes is the melting of glaciers. Why is this happening? Currently, the planet is heating - this is the result of the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which are produced by mankind. As a result, it increases average temperature on the ground. Since ice is the storage of fresh water on the planet, its reserves will run out sooner or later with intensive global warming. Also, glaciers are climate stabilizers on the planet. Due to the amount of ice that has melted, uniform dilution occurs fresh water saline waters, which has a special effect on the level of air humidity, precipitation, temperature in both summer and winter seasons.