The largest glacier in the world is the title. ice worlds

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.

Totten is one of the most big glaciers within East Antarctica, and the most voluminous mass of ice in the world. Given that 2016 was named one of the hottest years ever, is it any surprise that scientists claim that Totten has begun to melt at a record rate?

The scale of melting

An international team of researchers published a report in the journal Science Advances that says that anomalously warm ocean water at a speed of 220,000 cubic meters per second is flooding the base of the glacier. This is enough to cause the melting of 73 billion tons of ice per year.

The melting of huge glaciers like Totten is causing sea levels to rise rapidly. To make matters worse, meltwater from the glacier destroys the ice at the edge of the continent, and more and more masses of water flow freely into the sea.

The ice area of ​​the Totten catchment corresponds to the size of Spain. If all this ends up in the ocean, global sea levels will rise by 3.5 meters.

The work of scientists

Scientists from the University of Tasmania and the University of Texas at Austin were able to gather this data by steering their research vessel into one of the crevices carved into the seashore. Having made their way under Totten, they were able to see the extent of erosion in real time for the first time.

Like many of Greenland's glaciers, Totten is eroding from below. sea ​​water, which becomes increasingly warm and sour. This is directly related to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the oceans. warm water always results in the erosion of glaciers, but there are certain structural configurations that increase the likelihood that the entire ice structure will collapse.

How does erosion happen?

The Totten Glacier is deeply rooted below sea level. It is located on a relatively solid rock base. In some places this rock is flat, but in others its slopes are quite steep. If the underbelly of a glacier erodes at the point where it is solely on a sloping area, it will move at an abnormal speed.

As a recent study has shown, a sloping zone can be found in the middle of the current region of the glacier. IN last time the glacier was balanced about 3.5 million years ago. Then the level carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was about 400 parts per million, that is, identical to that which is observed today.

So this is really terrible news. This huge glacier is really falling apart and may soon begin its inexorable and irreversible slide into the sea. At least this should convince skeptics who consider climate change a hoax.

Global warming threatens to melt the glaciers. In the news now and then they talk about the threat of the disappearance of one or another icy river. In the meantime, you should hurry up and see a selection of the most beautiful glaciers in the world.

1. Biafo Glacier, Pakistan

Due to its secluded location in the heart of a highland region in northern Pakistan, the Biafo Glacier has remained virtually untouched by civilization. Traveling to the huge "Snow Lake" along the edge of the ice plain will require several days, which, due to the magnificence of the surrounding flora and fauna, will not seem boring. Hiking is best done in good physical shape. Otherwise, there is a great opportunity, instead of contemplating the pristine beauty of nature, to admire only the earth under your feet.

2. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

IN national park There are as many as 13 glaciers in Lago Argentino, but the Perito Moreno glacier is recognized as the most beautiful of them. The icy river, whose height is 60 meters, divides alpine lake Argentino into 2 parts: the Rich Sea and the South Sea. Making their way through the glacier along the channel, the waters of these seas gradually destroy it, and thanks to this, tourists can admire the view of huge blocks of ice falling into the water. On the territory of the reserve you can meet guanacos, rhea ostriches and even a condor - the largest bird in the world.

3. Glacier Bay, Alaska

Glacier Bay - giant national park, which is located on southeast coast Alaska and is under the protection of UNESCO. Walking tours practically absent on the territory of the reserve - inspection of glaciers is carried out from an airplane or helicopter. However, you can watch the sparkling ice without leaving the hotel, which is located right on the territory of the park. In addition, icebergs that have broken off from the edge of the glacier and reared up ice blocks can be admired by taking a cruise along the coast. In the surrounding waters of the reserve, you can stumble upon whales, walruses and even dolphins, and bears and deer live in coastal forests.

4. Furtwängler Glacier, Tanzania

Since the beginning of the century, the glacier, located almost on the equator, has been gradually melting and, according to scientists' forecasts, will completely disappear by 2020. Furtwängler is located at an altitude of more than 5000 meters, with north side Kilimanjaro near its summit

5. Pasterze Glacier, Austria

The Pasterze, the largest of the 925 Austrian glaciers, is also slowly disappearing and, according to predictions, by 2100 less than half of its current size will remain. In the meantime, this seemingly motionless 9-kilometer-long icy river slowly descends from a height of 3500 meters to the foot of the Glosgrokner mountain.

6. Vatnajokul Glacier, Iceland

Iceland's largest glacier accounts for approximately 80 percent of the island's total ice cover, which takes its name from the frozen water. His cracked huge fields spread over 8300 square kilometers. Competing with the cold beauty of ice is the lava frozen in the intricate curves of the nearby volcanic landscape. Favorite tourist activities: descending into ice crevices, rock climbing on a glacier, snow rafting and swimming in thermal springs ice caves.

7. Yulong Glacier, China

Scientists have more than once foreshadowed the disappearance of China's southernmost glacier, but systematic observations of its movement, which have been carried out since 1982, refute pessimistic forecasts: depending on climate fluctuations, the glacier retreats several hundred meters up, then descends again. The lower border of the glacier is currently located at an altitude of about 4200 meters above sea level, and getting to it is not so easy due to the strong rarefied air.

8. Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, New Zealand

Frozen waterfall flowing down from western slope In the Southern Alps, glaciers come so close to subtropical evergreen forests that their proximity seems completely unnatural.

9. Athabasca Glacier, Canada

Another rapidly melting glacier, which is considered the most beautiful in North America, lost for Lately almost half of its volume. Currently, it has a length of only about 6 kilometers. Such a rapid melting turned into the fact that the glacier is constantly in motion and therefore it is strictly forbidden to walk along it alone, without a guide.

10. Antarctic

And, of course, most of the ice and snow can be seen in Antarctica, which, probably, was the reason for the increased popularity of the continent due to global warming. If in the 1990s 6-7 thousand people traveled here during the season, then last year the number of tourists reached 45,000, in connection with which the number of incidents that harm the ecology of the region increased. Therefore, quite recently, 28 countries conducting scientific activities in Antarctica signed an agreement to limit tourism to the mainland.

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 plateau-like peaks spreads down. 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 most large glaciers Russia? List of top 5 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 total area 1400 sq km. This is more than 2000 glaciers. Basically they small size, up to 1 sq. km in diameter. Most big glacier in Russia - this is a complex in Kabardino-Balkaria, with an area of ​​​​over 120 square meters. 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 the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug 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 on the territory of Russia - - its most highest point is located at the level of 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 large Siberian rivers as the Indigirka, Aldan, and the rivers of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk basin.

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"fish" powers of the world. The country has the largest alpine lake in the world. By natural conditions is divided into 3 parts: Costa, Sierra, Selva. The country has huge copper reserves. The Quechua and Aymara Indian peoples live in the country. Two state languages: Spanish and Quechua.

1. The region is located in the southern part of Altai; on its territory is highest peak Siberia - mountain _____. Unusually picturesque landscapes of this region with beautiful lake _____ are classified as objects of the world natural heritage. (____).
2. The region is located in the south of the West Siberian Plain. From the confluence of the rivers ___ and ____ originates here largest river Western Siberia- ____. This is the breadbasket of the entire region. The production of tractors, agricultural machinery, and wagons has been developed. Significant reserves of salts are concentrated in the lakes of the Kulunda steppe: table salt and Glauber's (mirabilite). (____).
3. The largest coal mining ___ basin is located here, iron and polymetallic ores are also mined. The enterprises of the Siberian Metallurgical Base are concentrated in the region. In the south, in Mountain Shoria, a small Turkic-speaking people ___ lives. (___).
4. The center of the region is the easternmost millionaire city in Russia, the largest in Siberia science Center. This is an important agricultural region of Siberia. The only hydroelectric power station in the region was built on the ____ river. Here is the largest in Western Siberia drainless weakly salted lake ___. (___).
5. Various landscapes are common in the region: from taiga to steppe. The center of the region - the city of a millionaires - is located on largest tributary Ob - the river ___. Mechanical engineering, petrochemistry and oil refining are developed. This is a large agricultural region. (___).
6. On the territory of the region there is the world's largest ____ swamp. Regional center located on the river of the same name - a tributary of the Ob. The famous economic geographer N.N. Baransky was born here. The largest timber industry complex is located in the region. (___).
7. The largest area of ​​the country, which includes two autonomous regions where the main centers of oil and gas production are located. Main city- the first Russian city in Siberia. (___).
8. The largest in terms of population and quantity big cities autonomous region of the country. This is the oil center of Siberia and all of Russia. Here is the largest oil field - ___. Two thirds of the territory of the district is occupied by swamps. The timber and fishing industries, fur trade, and woodworking are well developed. (___).
9. More than 90% of Russian gas is produced here and the world's largest gas fields are located: ____ and ____. Most of the territory is tundra and forest-tundra. The main city until 1933 was called Obdorsk; this is one of the basic centers for the development of the north of Siberia. (___).

4) What is the level of urbanization Foreign Europe?

5) The only colonial possession on political map peace?

6) Where is Europe's largest natural gas field located?

7) High natural population growth in Europe is characterized only by ...?

8) The second most important branch of Europe's specialization?

9) The unconditional trendsetter is ...?

10) the first place in Europe in the production of woolen fabrics is ...?

11) The largest universal port in the world?

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13) The largest and most modern of the metallurgical plants built in seaports, located...?