Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Glaciological Research

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Glaciological Research 1. Glacier vs. Iceberg While both glacier and iceberg are masses of ice, they differ in location. A glacier is a large body of ice that forms on land, often in mountainous regions, while an iceberg is a floating mass of ice that has broken off from a glacier and is found in the ocean. Remember, glaciers are on land, and icebergs are in the water. 2. Ablation vs. Accumulation Ablation and accumulation are two processes that affect the mass of a glacier. Ablation refers to the loss of ice through melting, evaporation, or calving, while accumulation is the gain of ice through snowfall. These processes are crucial in determining whether a glacier is advancing or retreating. 3. Firn vs. Ice Firn and ice are both forms of compacted snow, but they differ in density. Firn is the intermediate stage between snow and ice, with a density higher than fresh snow but lower than solid ice. Over time, as the firn gets buried and compressed, it transforms into dense glacial ice. 4. Crevasse vs. Bergschrund Crevasse and bergschrund are features commonly found on glaciers, but they have distinct characteristics. A crevasse is a deep crack or fissure in the ice, often caused by the movement of the glacier. On the other hand, a bergschrund is a crevasse that forms at the headwall of a glacier, separating the moving ice from the stagnant ice above. 5. Serac vs. Nunatak