Final answer:
The two main types of glaciers are continental glaciers and alpine glaciers. Continental glaciers are large bodies of ice that cover polar regions, while alpine glaciers are smaller glaciers that form in mountainous areas. The environment of continental glaciers is cold and barren, while alpine glaciers form in rugged landscapes with steep slopes and deep valleys. Modern examples include the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Glaciers
Continental glaciers
, also known as ice sheets, are large bodies of ice that cover vast areas of land. They form in polar regions, such as Greenland and Antarctica, where the accumulation of snow exceeds melting. An example of a modern continental glacier is the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Alpine glaciers
are smaller glaciers that form in mountainous regions. They are formed in high elevations where winter snowfall exceeds summer melting. Examples of alpine glaciers include the glaciers in Glacier National Park in Montana, USA.
Environment of Glaciers
Continental glaciers form in polar regions with extremely cold temperatures and little to no vegetation. These regions experience low precipitation and are often characterized by barren landscapes covered in ice and snow.
Alpine glaciers, on the other hand, form in mountainous areas with colder temperatures at higher elevations. These regions can have more vegetation and receive more precipitation compared to polar regions. The environment around alpine glaciers is often rugged, with steep slopes, deep valleys, and rocky landscapes.
Modern Examples
A modern example of a continental glacier is the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This massive ice sheet covers the continent of Antarctica and has a thickness of several kilometers. It is the largest continental glacier in the world.
A modern example of an alpine glacier is the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. This glacier is located in the alpine environment of the Rocky Mountains and is a popular tourist attraction.