What are the differences between warm and cold based glaciers?

Cold based glaciers:

Are frozen to the bedrock all year round as the temperature of the ice stays at zero degrees constantly

Tend to move via internal deformation as there is no water for basal sliding to occur

Move slowly- causing less erosion to occur

Found at high latitudes

Examples of cold-based glaciers are the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets


Warm based glaciers 

Are not frozen to the bedrock all year round

The temperature of these glaciers is not constantly below freezing so water exists within the ice

The water acts as a lubricant so basal sliding can occur

As basal sliding can occur, warm based glaciers have a faster rate of movement than cold based glaciers and so carry out more erosion

Warm based glaciers tend to be found at lower latitudes

Examples include glaciers found in mountain ranges such as the Alps

Answered by Joanna H. Geography tutor

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