Book 20, Question 106
How Does a Glacier Form High on a Mountain?
A glacier forms in high places where more snow falls in winter than melts in summer. Year after year, the snow piles up and gets squashed by its own weight. Eventually it turns into ice that slowly flows downhill, like a very slow river.
More fun facts
- Glaciers form where summers are too cold for all the snow to melt.
- Each year a new layer of snow builds up.
- Over time, the layers press down and turn to ice.
- When the ice gets heavy enough, it flows under its own weight.
- Glaciers start on land and slowly move downhill.
Sources: National Park Service, NASA, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Why does a glacier move?
It gets so heavy it flows under its own weight.