- Ice sheets cover large land masses, such as Antarctica and Greenland.
- Ice is typically thousands of meters thick.
- Glaciers flow outward from a central ice dome.
- Continental glaciers can erode and transport vast amounts of sediment.
- Continental glaciation can have a profound impact on climate, sea level, and ecosystems.
Alpine Glaciation
- Glaciers are confined to mountainous areas.
- Ice is typically hundreds of meters thick.
- Glaciers flow from high elevations to lower elevations.
- Alpine glaciers can erode and transport large amounts of sediment.
- Alpine glaciation can have a significant impact on local climate, water resources, and ecosystems.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Continental Glaciation | Alpine Glaciation |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Large land masses | Mountainous areas |
| Thickness of ice | Thousands of meters | Hundreds of meters |
| Flow of ice | Outward from a central ice dome | From high elevations to lower elevations |
| Erosional power | High | Moderate |
| Impact on climate | Profound | Significant |