Final answer:
Glacial calving is the process where a glacier enters the sea, leading to chunks of ice breaking off and forming icebergs. This phenomenon plays a key role in the natural glacier lifecycle and can impact sea levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a glacier enters the sea, a process known as calving occurs. This is the breaking off of chunks of ice at the edge of a glacier, which then form icebergs as they float away into the sea. Calving is a natural part of the glacier life cycle and is influenced by factors such as the glacier's speed, the temperature of the water, and the structure of the glacier itself.
Glacial calving is a powerful process that can have significant effects on the landscape and the global sea level, especially when it occurs rapidly and on a large scale. The breaking off of ice makes a loud, cracking sound, and the resulting icebergs can be gigantic, sometimes even posing hazards to shipping routes.