suurjäätiköt

Suurjäätiköt, also known as ice sheets, are massive bodies of glacier ice that cover large areas of land, typically exceeding 50,000 square kilometers. They are distinct from ice caps, which are smaller and often found in mountainous regions. Currently, the only two major ice sheets on Earth are the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the Greenland Ice Sheet. These vast ice masses play a crucial role in Earth's climate system.

The formation of ice sheets is a slow process that occurs over thousands of years. Snow accumulates in cold regions, and over time, the weight of the overlying snow compresses the lower layers into ice. This ice then begins to flow under its own gravity, moving outwards from the center of accumulation. The immense size and thickness of ice sheets mean they can significantly influence sea levels. If an ice sheet melts completely, it would raise global sea levels by many meters, with catastrophic consequences for coastal populations worldwide.

Ice sheets are also important indicators of climate change. Scientists study their thinning, melting rates, and ice flow dynamics to understand the impact of rising global temperatures. The dynamic behavior of these ice sheets, including the calving of icebergs into the ocean, is a subject of intense research. Variations in their size and extent throughout Earth's history are linked to past glacial and interglacial periods.