Mannerjäätiköksi

Mannerjäätiköksi is a Finnish term that translates to "ice sheet" or "continental glacier" in English. It refers to a vast mass of glacial ice that covers an extensive area of land, typically greater than 50,000 square kilometers. These massive ice sheets are found in polar regions and are crucial components of Earth's climate system.

Currently, the two largest ice sheets on Earth are the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the Greenland Ice Sheet. The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the largest single mass of ice on Earth, covering about 14 million square kilometers and containing 90% of the world's ice. The Greenland Ice Sheet is the second largest and covers about 1.7 million square kilometers, holding about 8% of the world's ice.

Ice sheets play a significant role in regulating global sea levels. When ice sheets melt, the water flows into the oceans, causing sea levels to rise. Conversely, during periods of glaciation, ice sheets can grow and lock up vast amounts of water, leading to lower sea levels. The dynamics of ice sheets, including their growth, movement, and melting, are complex and are influenced by factors such as atmospheric temperature, precipitation, and ocean currents. Studying mannerjäätiköksi is therefore essential for understanding past climate changes and predicting future climate scenarios, particularly concerning sea-level rise.