Massive Ice: Glaciers Facts

November 21st, 2007

Interesting Glacier Facts: 

How much of Earth is covered with glaciers?
Roughly 10% of Earth is covered in glacier ice.

How much of Earth’s fresh water do glaciers hold?
Glaciers hold a suprising 75% of the world’s fresh water.

Why do glaciers appear to be blue?
Glaciers appear to be blue because ice asorbs all other colors and reflects blue.

Why don’t we use glaciers for a fresh water source?
In matter of fact, we do use glaciers for fresh water. In the state of Washington alone, glaciers provide 1.7 trillion gallons of water each summer due to melting.

What would happen if all the glaciers melted?
If the glaciers melted, the world’s sea level would rise by 230 feet.

For more information about glaciers, please visit National Snow and Ice Data Center.

Entry Filed under: Land