valley glacier

views updated May 08 2018

valley glacier A long, relatively narrow ribbon of ice that is confined between valley walls. The Alpine type is fed by a series of cirque glaciers that show positive net balances (see MASS BALANCE), and is common in the Alps and in the coastal mountains of Alaska, USA. The outlet type is fed by an ice cap or ice sheet. The Vatnajökull ice-cap in Iceland feeds several outlet glaciers.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

valley glacier

views updated May 23 2018

valley glacier A long, relatively narrow ribbon of ice that is confined between valley walls.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

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valley glacier

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