Hey there! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of glaciers with Squeaks and the SciShow Kids team. Did you know that the biggest glacier in the world is in Antarctica? Let’s learn more about these giant ice cubes on Earth!
Glaciers are like huge ice cubes that form in places where it’s so cold that snow doesn’t melt away in the spring. Every year, more snow falls in the same spot, and over time, it gets packed down. After many years, sometimes over 100, this packed snow turns into thick ice. The ice becomes so heavy that it starts to move slowly across the ground, and that’s what we call a glacier.
Nowadays, glaciers are found in a few places, like high up in the mountains or in super cold areas like Antarctica. But a long time ago, much of the Earth was covered in glaciers. Even though many glaciers have melted, they left behind clues that tell us they were once there.
As glaciers move, they pick up dirt, sand, and even big rocks, scraping them against the Earth. When the glacier melts away, these signs, like scratches and big holes, remain. Scientists call these scratch marks “glacial striations.” Sometimes, glaciers carve out large chunks of land, which can fill with water and become lakes, like the Great Lakes in North America.
We can create a model to see how glaciers work! You’ll need an ice cube tray, small rocks, sand or dirt, water, modeling clay, a freezer, and a grown-up helper. First, put some sand, rocks, or dirt in the bottom of the ice cube tray and fill it with water. Freeze it to make mini-glaciers.
Next, roll out some modeling clay to make a flat surface. Once the mini-glaciers are frozen, place them on the clay and press down hard as you slide them across. This simulates how glaciers move and change the land.
When glaciers move, they leave behind piles of sand and dirt called moraines. These piles become part of the land, and trees and plants can grow on them. For example, parts of Cape Cod in Massachusetts are made from glacial moraines!
Glaciers have left clues all over the world. Maybe you can find some where you live! Look for lakes or moraines, or try making your own glacier model at home. Keep exploring and discovering new things with Squeaks and the SciShow Kids team!
Remember to subscribe to SciShow Kids for more fun learning adventures. See you next time!
Glacier Scavenger Hunt: Take a walk in your neighborhood or a nearby park with a grown-up and look for signs that glaciers might have been there a long time ago. Can you find any rocks with scratches or big holes in the ground? These could be clues left behind by glaciers! Draw a picture of what you find and share it with your friends or family.
Mini-Glacier Experiment: Try making your own mini-glacier at home! Follow the instructions from the article to create mini-glaciers using an ice cube tray, sand, rocks, and water. Once your mini-glaciers are ready, use them to see how they can move and change the clay surface. What happens to the sand and rocks as the ice slides across the clay? Write down or draw your observations.
Imagine a Glacier’s Journey: Pretend you are a glacier moving across the land. What do you see and feel as you slowly travel? Do you pick up rocks and dirt along the way? Write a short story or draw a comic strip about your journey as a glacier. Share your story with your class or family to show them what you’ve learned about glaciers!
