Glaciers [UPSC Geography Notes GS1]

Glaciers are a bulk of ice moving under its weight. It is an important geographical term for students preparing for the IAS Exam or any other Government Exam. 

Geography is a significant part of the General Studies Paper-1 in the UPSC Syllabus.

Students choosing their Optional Subject as Geography for  UPSC Mains Exam can also find this article useful.

What is Glacier?

Glaciers are a bulk of ice moving under its weight. It forms in areas where the amassing of snow goes beyond its ablation over many years. 

  • They are generally seen in the snow-fields. 
  • This largest freshwater basin covers around 10 percent of the land surface of the Earth.
  • According to the topography and the location of the glacier, it can be categorized as Mountain Glacier (Alpine Glaciers) or Continental Glacier (Ice Sheets).  
  • The Continental Glacier moves outward in all directions whereas the Mountain Glacier moves from a higher to a lower altitude.

Types of Glaciers

Glaciers can be distinguished in two major categories based on its type:

Alpine Glaciers Ice Sheets
  • Alpine glaciers are formed on the mountainsides and they usually move downwards through the valleys. 
  • There are times when an alpine glacier also deepens the valleys by pushing away the dirt, soil, and other materials.  
  • These glaciers are found in high mountains.
  • Ice sheets form broad domes and usually spread out in all directions.
  • When the ice sheets spread, they cover all the areas such as valleys, plains, and mountains with a thick blanket of ice. 
  • The continental glaciers are the largest ice sheets and cover most of Antarctica and islands of Greenland.

Glacial Landforms

Glaciers have played a prominent role in the shaping of landscapes in the mid and high latitudes of alpine environments. The major landforms made by glaciers are:

  1. Glacial Erosional Landforms
  2. Glacial Depositional Landforms
Glacial Erosional Landforms Glacial Depositional Landforms
The major erosional landforms made by glaciers are:

  • Cirque
  • Horns and Serrated Ridges
  • Glacial Valleys/Troughs
The major depositional landforms made by glaciers are:

  • Esker
  • Outwash plains
  • Drumlins

Glaciers in India

Glaciers in India relevant to UPSC can be listed as follows:

Name  State Mountain Range
Batura Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Khurdopin Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Hispar Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Biafo Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Baltoro Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Chomolungma glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Diamir Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Siachen Glacier Jammu & Kashmir Karakoram Mountain Range
Gangotri Glacier Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand Himalayas
Milam Glacier Uttarakhand Trishul peak of  Pithoragarh
Pindari glacier Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand Upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas
Zemu Glacier Sikkim Eastern Himalaya Located on Kanchenjunga peak

Gangotri Glacier 

This is an important glacier in India.

  • Largest Glacier in Uttarakhand.
  • Source of the Ganges. (River Bhagirathi)
  • The Gangotri glacier originates at the northern slope of Chaukhamba range of peaks in Garhwal Himalayas.
  • Gangotri is not a single valley glacier, but a combination of several other glaciers.

Carbon Deposits on Gangotri

  • The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is an Autonomous Institute administered by the Department of Science and Technology. 
  • They have the Chirbasa station at a height of 3,600 m and Bhojbasa station at a height of 3,800 m.
  • They research the number of carbon deposits on the important glaciers of the Himalayas. Gangotri being the source of the Ganges is one of the most important Glaciers in the country. 
  • According to recent data from the research, the concentration of Black Carbon present on the Gangotri Glacier has doubled when compared to the results of the past few years.
  • The primary reason for this is the agricultural burning and forest fires in the nearby regions.

Students can note this point as an important prelims fact for the UPSC Prelims under the segment UPSC Environment and Ecology.

Glaciers UPSC Geography Notes:- Download PDF Here

FAQ about Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Glof

Q1

Why is the danger of glacial lake outbursts increasing every year?

The average temperature in the mountains rises by 0.056 Celsius every year. Therefore, the threat of glacial lake outbursts is increasing every year.
Q2

What are some of the potential consequences of a glacial lake outburst flood?

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods pose a risk downstream communities and infrastructure. They have killed hundreds to thousands of people in mountain regions (e.g. the Himalayas), and destroyed roads, bridges, and hydroelectric developments
Related Links
Geographical Indications Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers
Maps Types of Wind – UPSC Geography Notes
UPSC 2022 UPSC Geography Notes Free Download

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*