Glaciers
Overview
Though they are relatively limited in their distribution today, glaciers have had a great effect on our world, helping to carve out incredible features of land and changing the way we look at science. They are indicators of climate and encourage us to be good stewards of our world, as well as offer an opportunity to address safety for those who might visit one.
Participants of this honor will have an understanding of how a glacier forms, the physics behind how they move and how their study is important for conservation. They will also learn about landforms, various terms related to the study of glaciers and how they relate to Biblical views of a worldwide flood and the aftermath.
Requirements
1. What is a glacier? Why is the study of glaciers important and how are glaciers studied today?
2. Create a game (such as a matching game, board game, trivia, etc.) that explores and defines the following terms as they relate to glaciers:
- a. Crevasse
- b. Firn
- c. Glacial drift
- d. Glacial erratic
- e. Glacial lake
- f. Icefall
- g. Kettle lake
- h. Névé
- i. Paternoster lake
- j. Plucking
- k. Serac
- l. Subglacial stream
- m. Tarn
- n. Terminus
3. How are glaciers formed? Where can they be found? On a map, highlight the places glaciers can be found today.
4. Name the two major types of glaciers and two subtypes of each.
5. On a diagram of a glacier, label the following parts and how they work together to cause glacial movement:
- a. Accumulation zone
- b. Ablation zone
- c. Equilibrium line
6. Explain how a glacier advances and retreats.
7. Know the difference between valleys formed by rivers and streams, and valleys formed by glaciers.
8. Describe the two main ways in which glaciers can move.
9. Draw, photograph, model, or describe the following landforms created by glaciers:
- a. Arête
- b. Cirque
- c. Col
- d. Drumlin
- e. Esker
- f. Fjord
- g. Glacial horn
- h. Kame
- i. Nunatak
- j. Outwash fan
- k. Roche moutonnée
- l. Striation
- m. Trim line
10. What is a moraine? Name and describe three types of moraines.
11. With your class, discuss safety while on or around glaciers.
12. Evidence of glaciers that have since disappeared can still be seen all over the world. From a Biblical viewpoint, discuss with your class how these might have been formed.
13. When something is caught in a glacier, it is often preserved like a time capsule for decades or even hundreds of years, giving us great opportunities to study the past. Creatively present one of these discoveries to your group.
14. Do two of the following:
- a. Visit a glacier or a place where glaciation has occurred and discuss with your group or write a 200-word report about what you saw. Include any landforms that you saw.
- b. Watch a video about glaciers and discuss with your group or write a 200-word report about what you saw.
- c. Draw or paint a picture about something you had fun learning about while studying glaciers.
- d. Talk with your group, write about, or make a short video about a real glacier study or conservation project.
Answer key & resources
Investiture Achievement
This honor is required, suggested or listed as an option in:
Adapted from AY Honors/Glaciers on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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