Final answer:
Global latitude and altitude significantly influence where glaciers can form, with cold temperatures near the poles and at high elevations promoting the accumulation of snow into ice over time. Other factors like wind systems, ocean currents, and geographic positioning further impact climate conditions necessary for glacier formation and maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global latitude and altitude are crucial factors determining where glaciers form. Glaciers typically develop in areas where the accumulation of snow exceeds its melt over many years. At high latitudes, nearer to the poles, cold temperatures persist year-round, allowing snow to accumulate and compress into ice over time, forming glaciers. Similarly, high altitudes, such as mountain ranges, contribute to glacier formation because temperatures generally decrease with elevation, leading to cooler conditions conducive to the accumulation and preservation of ice. Factors such as wind systems, ocean currents, the position on a continent, and mountain barriers also influence temperature, precipitation, and the distribution of climate regions, subsequently affecting glacier formation and size.
In areas like the north central and northeastern U.S., glaciers have dramatically shaped the landscape, affecting soil composition and creating distinct topographies. Climate change poses significant threats to existing glaciers, as rising temperatures lead to increased melting. The disappearance of glaciers not only alters habitats and water availability but can also raise ocean levels and potentially disrupt global climate patterns, making the understanding of their formation and maintenance critically important.