Alaska's Amazing Glaciers
Alaska's Amazing Glaciers
Have you ever seen a river of ice? Alaska is home to giant, slow-moving rivers of ice called glaciers. These aren't just any ice cubes; they are massive, powerful forces of nature!
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge, thick sheet of ice that moves very slowly over land. Glaciers are formed over many years when snow falls, and the weight of more snow on top presses the bottom layers into ice. It's like making a giant ice sandwich!
How Big Are They?
Some of Alaska's glaciers are as big as small countries! The Malaspina Glacier, for example, covers an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. These glaciers can be hundreds or even thousands of feet thick. That's taller than many skyscrapers!
How Glaciers Move
Glaciers move downhill because of gravity. They creep along very slowly, sometimes only a few inches or feet each day. As they move, they carve out valleys and shape the land. Imagine a giant ice plow shaping the Earth!
Did you know?
- Glaciers are made of freshwater.
- They store about 75% of the worldâs freshwater.
- Glaciers can create lakes when they melt, because of the landforms they create as they move.
Why Glaciers Matter
- Glacier:
- A large, slow-moving mass of ice.
- Gravity:
- The force that pulls things toward the Earth.
- Climate Change:
- Changes in Earth's temperature and weather patterns.
- freshwater:
- Water that does not contain salt, found in lakes, rivers, and ice, which is safe for drinking.
- landforms:
- Natural shapes or physical features on the surface of the Earth, such as valleys, mountains, and hills.
- ecosystem:
- A community of living plants and animals interacting with each other and their environment.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is a glacier made of?
- 2Where are many giant glaciers located?
Where this passage belongs
About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
âAlaska's Amazing Glaciersâ is a informational reading passage about Glaciers, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (348 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.