Glaciology

/ɡleɪʃiˈɑlədʒi/ noun

Definition

The scientific study of glaciers, ice sheets, and their physical properties, movements, and effects on climate and landscape.

Etymology

From glacier plus -ology (Greek logos, study). This formal scientific discipline emerged in the 1800s as scientists sought to understand ice ages and frozen landscapes.

Kelly Says

Glaciology discovered something wild: glaciers in the Antarctic were flowing toward the ocean so fast that scientists had to revise their climate predictions and prepare for faster sea-level rise!

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