Vatnayyukyudl - the largest glacier in Europe. Where are the largest cover glaciers

Speaking of the largest glaciers in the world, it is worth mentioning that they exist several types: carot, valley, coating, etc. The overwhelming part of the glaciation on the ground belongs to the glacial caps Antarctica and Greenland, that is, to the coating glaciers. I just wanted to note that the thickness of ice there reaches the grandiose indicators - more than 4 km.

Large ice hats are on the islands Canadian Arctic Archipelago. They are calculated tens of thousands of square kilometers. Behind them follow huge ice fields Spitsbergen.

Approximately 50 percent of the total area North Islands Archipelago New Earth Weave the majestic glaciers. On the territory of almost 20,000 km2 there is a solid ice shell, which has a length of 400 kilometers and a width of 70-75 kilometers. At the same time, ice power is more than 300 meters. Some where the ice goes to fjords or breaks into the sea, forming icebergs.

Vatnayayukyudl (Oh, these Scandinavian names!) - the largest glacier On the island of Iceland. Located in the southwestern part of the island and takes 8% of its territory, or 8 133 km2.

Glacier Joostedalsben - The largest continental Glacier of Mainland Europe, which occupies an area of \u200b\u200b487 km2. Located in Norway. He has more than 50 branches, among which the famous Glytera Brixdalsbien and Nigardswing.

South America

Now from the north of Europe we will be transferred to South America. Patagonian glacier plateto Amazing imagination no less. It consists of two parts: northern, stretching on the territory of 7,600 km2 and southern - on the territory of 12,000 km2. The prevailing heights of the surface - about 1500 m. Rocky tops and mountains are raised among the ice ( highest point - Bertrand, 3270 m). At the level of the glacial plateau drops 7000-8000 mm of precipitation per year. With the plateau flows output glaciers, many on the eastern side enemy in fjords, and in the West - in the lakes. The largest of them Perito-Moreno and Uppsala. The first has an area of \u200b\u200b250 km2. The width of the language is 5 km, medium height - 60 m above the surface of the water. The speed of its movement is 2 m per day. However, the loss of mass is approximately the same, therefore the language of the glacier did not retreat and did not occur for 90 years. The length of the glacier of Uppsala is 60 km, width to 8 km, area 250 km2. Lamo-Archentino lakes Lake Northern Sleeve.

North America

Now again North America. We have already told about the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Another place to accumulate large glaciers is Alaska. Bering Glacier - the largest mountain (tree) glacier North America. Takes the beginning of ice fields on the mountains of Chugach (4116 m) and St. Ilya (5489 m) on Alaska (USA). Length (from the remote source) 203 km, an area of \u200b\u200babout 5800 km2. It turns out on the lowland coast of the Bay of Alaska, where the foothill ice blade is about 80 km long and a width of 43 km.

Malaspina - Prejections Glacier on southern coast Alaska, between the Bay of Yakutat and Isice Bay. Area of \u200b\u200b2,200 km2. Educated by several glacial flows descending from the mountains of St. Ilya. The power supply is served by a Seward glacial pool, located at an altitude of 1500-2000 m. Since the 30s of the 20th century, the glacier is reduced, retreats from the shore of the ocean, leaving the end of the final moraine shaft, gradually barding the coniferous forest.

No less ambitious Alaska glaciers Hubbard (length 122 km) and Colombia (Length 66 km, pl. 1370 km2). Extensive firgo fields of the latter lie at the heights of about 3,600 m, and the main barrel of the glacier width of 4 km reaches Pacific Ocean In the Bay of Prince William.

Alpine valley glaciers

Before that, we talked about the glaciers of high latitudes having food at relatively small heights. And now we will pay attention to the glaciers located in the highest mountain Systemsah in the world. These are typical mining and valley glaciers. Although most of them have a complex tree structure, many tributaries, but they differ primarily by a long valleal language.

As not strange, the highest mountain range on Earth has relatively small glaciers. Hymalaev glaciersin not exceeding the lengths of 30 km (Gangotri Glacier - 26 km, Zima Glacier - 25, Rongbuck Glacier - 19 km).

The largest number of large glaciers is in the Karakorum mountain system. These include Baltoro, Siachen, Biafo. We turn to them a little later, and now we will pay attention to one of the most interesting and largest glaciers in the world - Fedchenko.

Pamir

Glacier Fedchenko, the first largest in the CIS and one of the biggest glaciers of the world: its length is 77 km, width - from 1700 to 3100 m. Located in Tajikistan, on the Pamire. The glacier takes his beginning at the foot of the peak of the revolution on the northern slope of the Yazgugule Range and flows along the Eastern Slope of the Range of the Academy of Sciences. The thickness of the ice in the middle part of the glacier reaches 1000 m, the total area of \u200b\u200bglaciation and snowfields - 992 km2. The upper end of the glacier is located at an altitude of 6280 m, and the lower - by 2900 m, the height of the snow line is 4650 m. From the glacier flows the Seldar river.

The history of the opening of the glacier leaves even at the end of the XIX century. In 1871, the first Russian expedition arrived at Pamir, led by A.P. Fedchenko (famous natural scientist and researcher of Turkestan). The expedition outlined the general scheme of the ridges of the Pamir, in more detail by investigating the Zaalai ridge and opening the highest peak of this ridge (now Lenin peak is 7134 m). Then the expedition opened a huge glacier, which is now named Fedchenko. In the pool of this glacier are located highest peaks Pamirs, his inseptive height and inaccessibility attracting the attention of domestic and foreign climbers. In the heads of the glacier, there is a peak of revolution (6974 m), almost anywhere in the glacier can see the highest mountain peak former USSR And the second in the Pamire - Peak of Communism (7495 m). Near the peak of communism there are Peak Russia (6852 m) and the peak of Gero (6595 m). Currently, the Hydrometeorological Observatory is currently located on the Fedchenko glacier (more than 4,200 m).

Karakorum

As already mentioned, the greatest number of large alpine glaciers is located in the Karakorum mountain system. These include: Siachen, Baltoro, Biafo. Baltoro Located in the central caracorum to the southeast of Chogri (K2) - the second highest top of the world (8611). Length of the glacier 62 km, area 750 km2. According to some given data, the area of \u200b\u200bthe glacier is 1227 km2 and if these indicators are true, then they are more than at the Fedchenko glacier (992 km2). Siachen - Valley tree-shaped glacier in Karakorum (India). Length is 76 km, area of \u200b\u200babout 750 km2. Condes from the eastern slope of the condes ridge at the junction with the Caucarum waterproof ridge at altitudes up to 7000 m. The glacier flows to the east, it is partially covered in a large extent (in places in full) with a case of rock fragments; ends at an altitude of 3550 m. Glacier Biafo. Located on the southern slope of Karakorum. Length about 68 km, area 620 km2.

Tien Shan

Southern Inalchek - The largest Tien Shan glacier and the second size of the Mountain Glacier of the CIS countries after the Fedchenko glacier on the Pamir. It is located between the ridges of Tengritag and Cocaltau. Its length is 58.9 km, area of \u200b\u200b567.2 km2. The glacier originates in the Khan-Tengri district, and its language is lowered to 2800 m. Southern Inilchak flows several kilometers to the north, and then sharply turns to the West. The thickness of the ice in the lower parts of the language is 150-200 m. Powerful left tributaries of the glacier, which occur in the northern spurs of the Kokshaltau Ridge, have its own names: asterisk, wild, proletarian tourist, Komsomolets (from East to West). If you look at the glacier from above, then it looks like a white-blue tree with longitudinal dark stripes of median moraine on its main trunk and a series of bright branches of different lengths and thickness. The largest of the glaciers-tributaries are the glaciers asterisk and wild.

Alps

Big Alachian GlacierLocated on the southern slope of the Bern Alps in Switzerland - the largest glacier in the Alps, covers an area of \u200b\u200b87 km2, and taking into account the area of \u200b\u200bfour firboans that feed it - about 117 km2. The overall length of the Alech glacier is about 24 kilometers. Thickness up to 900 m.

Caucasus

Bezengi - The complex valley glacier, the largest in the Caucasus. Located on the northern slope of the main ridge at the foot of the Bezengian Wall. Sun down from the vertices of Shhara and Dzhangitau to a height of 2080 m and serves as the main source of the River Cherkotengsky. Length is 17.6 km, pl. 36.2 km2. The firnaya line at an altitude of 3600 m. The lower 5 km of the glacial language is covered with chips. From 1888 to 1966, the language retreated 1115 m, currently continues to retreat. More than 10 of his former tributaries turned into independent glaciers. For Bezengi, the glaciers of the breath are followed (length 13.3 km, area 34.0 km2) and Karagom (length 13.3 km, area 26.6 km2).

Altai

All Alading Altai combined no more than one of the largest valley glaciers in the world. Although it can be said about the Caucasus. But even in this case, the biggest glaciers of Altai are impressive. Glacier Potanina (Potanina-Musen-Gol) has an area of \u200b\u200b38.5 km2, 11.5 km long. Its extensive snowfield is surrounded by five vertices located in the form of a horseshoe. On the right, the Potanina Glacier takes 2 glacial tributaries - the upper smaller and lower larger glacier Alexandra (A.V. Potanina). On the left side of the glacier there is a single little influx. The tongue of the Potanina glacier has a small slope; Cracks are only in the middle course. Descends to a height of 2900 m, the lower part is covered with moraine. Melting waters come to the pool of the Tsagan-Gol River. Opened glacier V.V. Sapozhnikov in 1905 and named it in honor of G.N. Potanina.

Taldurin Glacier (Big Taldurinsky) Lies on the elephants of the South Chui Range. Length is 7.5 km, area 28.2 km2. The height of the end of the glacier is 2450 m. The ice thickness reaches 175 m. It is the largest glacier in the territory of the Russian Altai. Takes the beginning of 7 sources in the circus, in the frame of which the vertices rise about 4000 m with a height of about 4000 m (Iikut et al.). It has a narrow way out to the northeast, in the valley of the Talturi River.

Glacier Sapozhnikov (Mensu) - The largest altai ridge in Katunsky Ridge (descends from Beluhi slopes) its length is 10.5 km, area - 13.2 km2.

Vatnajökudvl Vatnajökull is the largest ice hat in Iceland, covering 8% of the territory of the island. The Watnayokud glacier is located in the southwest of Iceland and is a popular place for hiking excursions in glaciers and ice caves.

Facts about the glacier Vatnajökull Vatnajökull

  • Surface: 8 100 km2
  • Medium thickness: 400 - 600 m
  • Maximum thickness: 1000 m
  • Height: 1400 - 1800 m
  • Highest Peak: 2,200 m (Hvannadalshnjúkur)

Information about the glacier Vatnajökull Vatnajökull

The Watnaiokully glacier is located on the territory of the Large National Park of Vatthenokudl, which covers the former National Parks of Skaftooth, in the southwest, and Yokulsargloufur, in the north. The highest point of the Vatnayokolel glacier is a hwannadalshnyukur, which lies on the top of the Stratovulkan, known as Öræfajökull.

Under the glacier are some of the most active volcanoes In the country, the most noticeable of which are Grimsawn, Öræfajökull and Bárðabunga. Volcanic activity in the region occurred during the centuries, and many geologists believe that it will continue in the near future. If their calculations are correct, it means a significant volcanic activity for Vatnayokoled over the next half a century.

The glacier boasts more than 30 languages \u200b\u200bof the glacier, which leak out of ice hats, but remain limited on the sides of the valley. Main languages \u200b\u200bGlaciers Vatnayokudvl: Dingudezhokul in the north, Breadrimkurkhokul and Schyarrajokul in the south. In the West, you can find Languages \u200b\u200bSíðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull.

Glaciers are in constant motion under the weight of the ice. Every year, new ice caves appear due to melting and movement of ice, which soon disappear.

Ice caves in Vatnayokud

Everyone who has seen photos of ice caves knows that it is worth seeing. Since the Vatnayokud is the biggest glacier in Europe, it is one of best placesTo see this natural miracle - ice caves. Every year, visitors get the opportunity to see a natural ice cave in National Park Vatnayokud.

Ice caves are formed only in winter, when the glacial rivers disappear and water freezes. Their location, forms and dimensions are constantly changing, which makes them a characteristic and unique spectacle.

If you plan to experience luck and see the ice cave in Iceland, please do it under professional guidance - weather and circumstances can represent a big risk!

Glaciers played important to replenish all rivers of the world. 16 million square meters. km - such a total area, it is about 11% of all sushi. They contain huge stocks fresh water. In Russia, their huge number, area of \u200b\u200babout 60 thousand square meters. km. Glaciers of Russia are divided into two types, according to the method of their education:

  • Cover. This is the overwhelming majority of all glacial systems in the country. These include the ice of Franz Joseph, New Earth, Northern Earth and other Islands of the Arctic. The average thickness on the islands in the Arctic Ocean is from 100 to 300 meters. They store huge stocks of fresh water.
  • Mountain glaciers in Russia. Their share in the total area is only 5%. These are the ice accumulations of the mountain ranges of the Caucasus, the Urals, Kamchatka. For their formation, you need two conditions: negative air and precipitation temperatures. Often, if rains often go in the mountains, they are accompanied by warm weather.

Variety of glaciers

Classifications of glaciers, including mountain, there is a lot. What kind of varieties can you meet in our country?

  • Snow spots. Snow accumulation in gentle valleys and slopes.
  • Glaciers stepe-shaped slopes. The snowy mass is going to the shadow foot of the mountain and feeds on the devoted avalanches.
  • Hanging glaciers. Located on steep slopes, as if having a hanging over it. They are small, but are dangerous, as they can break down.
  • Carry glaciers. Snow masses in the cornities of the valleys, with a steep back wall.
  • Glaciers of volcanic peaks. Occupy the peaks of the mountains.
  • Purchase glaciers. They have a common start - the top of the ridge, but the ranks in opposite to it.
  • Norwegian type. This type of glacier is transition from the mountainous to the coating. Ice caps of pla on vertices spread down. Having reached the edge, separate foci descend down.
  • Valley are located in the mountain valleys.

Mountain glaciers of Russia do not remain the same in the area. Some are reduced, others increase, there are also those that change their location by moving. What are the largest Glaciers of Russia? A list of 5 largest mountain systems with perennial ice looks as follows.

Caucasus

This is the largest center for the accumulation of mountain glaciers. On the Russian part i.e. In the north of its slope, huge masses are concentrated, a total area of \u200b\u200b1400 sq. Km. This is more than 2,000 glaciers. Basically they are small, up to 1 square meters. km in diameter. The largest glacier in Russia is a complex in Kabardino-Balkaria, an area of \u200b\u200bover 120 square meters. km. Another major snow peak in the Caucasus - Top extluous volcano Kazbek. It is here that more than 60% of all the Idges of the Caucasus are concentrated. A feature is their highlight character. Russian part of snow vertices Big Caucasus It is located on its northern slope, it is more smooth and extended, unlike southern. There are more than 70% of the ice of the Great Caucasus. The southern slope is cool and incisive, on it 30% of snow Caucasian Gor.. IMPORTANT VALUE OF THENATION OF THIS RANGE has for powering rivers that take the beginning here. It is white, Zelenchuk, Laba - and - Ardon, Urum, Baksan. Caucasian mountain glaciers retreat and their area is reduced. Although such a decrease is insignificant, the nutrition of rivers suffers from it. During the century, the snow line level rose by 70-75 cm. Sometimes there is a short-term onset of ice in some areas.

Altai

In the second place in the list of the biggest mountain glaciers in the country there are snow Altai. Here, in the south of Siberia, about 1,500 foci, which occupy an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 900 square meters. km. The largest glaciations in Katuan, South Chui and the North Chui ridges. Large masses are focused on the grief of Belukha, where the Great Altai River Katun and her tributaries originates. These places have become the most beloved and popular with climbers on all Altai. Here is the Glacier to the Akké. Some believe that he has a special energy, and charges her visitors. Another snowy peak of Altai - Aktra. Mountain is famous for the colossal temperature difference. In the summer there is a non-supported heat, and in winter - harsh cold. For this, the actra is considered the local point of the cold. Temperature here lowers up to minus 62ºС. But even despite such heavy climatic conditions, there are many wishes to see these glaciers of Russia. Pictures of their landscapes just fascinate.

Kamchatka

The modern glaciation of the peninsula has a significant scale. Snow masses are larger here than in the Caucasus. There are about 450 more than 900 square meters. km. The main concentration of them on the Middle Range and the Klyuchevsk Group. Glaciers of Russia in Kamchatka have interesting feature. They are referred to as the so-called caldera, due to the method of education. They are formed in calderars and craters of volcanoes and sills, which are a huge amount on the peninsula. In Kamchatka, the warm season is short, and the snow that falls on the vertices of the horses does not have time to melt. Another feature of the snow kamchatka is their low location. Glaciers descend from vertices to a height of 1600 meters. Of great importance in the life of the snow have volcanic eruptions. During the eruption, the glaciers are actively melted and fill the rivers with melt water.

Koryak Ridge

It is called still located on Far East, captures the Chukotka Autonomous District and Kamchatka Territory. The total number of glaciers here is 1330, and their area is more than 250 sq. km. Koryak Highlands consists of short ridges and grooves, which stretch from the northeast to the southwest. Glaciers of Russia in the Far East elongated, up to 4 km long. They are very low, much lower than the snow line, at the level of 700-1000 meters. This is due to climatic conditions and the close location of the Cold Sea. Another glacier in Russia - - its highest point is at the level of 2562 meters.

Mountains Suntar Hayat

These Glaciers of Russia are located in the territory of Yakutia and Khabarovsk Region. Here they have 208 pieces, with a total area of \u200b\u200bover 200 kV km. The ridge reached for 450 km, and the highest point of him - Mount Cape Haya - at the level of almost 3000 meters. In addition to mountain glaciers, there are about 800 square meters. km Tyrynov. This is so called a large multi-year floor, which is formed during the freezing of groundwater.

The thickness of such ice is usually about 8 meters. Santar Hayat is a watershed such large rivers Siberia, as an indigilian, Aldan, and the rivers of the Swimming pool of the Sea of \u200b\u200bOkhotsk.

These stunning pictures of British tourists show what looks inside the largest glacier in Europe. Its area is about 8 200 sq. Cm, and the thickness is 1,000 meters in the thick place. In 2008, the glacier and its surroundings were announced by the National Park.

1. Watnayekyudl - the largest glacier on the island of Iceland and occupies as many as 8% of its territory. Also, this is the largest glacier in Europe in terms of ice, on the territory he is the third (after the Glacier of the North Island and the Eustfonna Glacier). (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

2. The average ice thickness here is 400 m, the maximum is 1000 m. Whole kilometer! (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

3. Under the glacier, as under many Iceland glaciers, there are several volcanoes. (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

4. In Southeast Iceland, where glaciers are located, the ice cave season lasts from November to March, but some of them are unsafe all year round. (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

"Some ice caves are filled with water inside, and you can only get there in the coldest time in winter when the water in the lakes freezes. Other caves are very unstable and dangerous even in the winter, and there should not go there: Beauty is deceptive. "

6. Here is amazingly beautiful! (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

7. The glacier feeds several glacial lakes, including Okulsurloon - the largest glacial lagoon in Iceland. (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

8. A few more photos of the biggest glacier in the volume of ice in Europe. (Photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

9. (Photo by EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

10. (photo EINAR RUNAR SIGURDSSON):

Glaciers are an extraordinary miracle of nature, which slow pace moves along the surface of the Earth. This accumulation eternal ice At its path, it captures and transfers rocks, forming peculiar landscapes, such as moraine and kara. Sometimes the glacier stops moving and the dead ice is formed.

Some glaciers, moving for a short distance in large lakes Or the sea, form a zone where the split occurs and as a result - drifting icebergs.

Geographical object (value)

Glaciers occur in those places where the accumulated mass of snow and ice significantly exceeds the mass of melting snow. And after many years in such a region, a glacier will be formed.

Glaciers are the most huge storage facilities on Earth. Most glaciers accumulate water in the winter season and give it to her waters. Such water is especially useful in the mountainous regions of the planet, where such water is used by people who live in areas where a small amount of atmospheric precipitation falls. Also, the melting waters of glaciers are sources for the existence of a vegetable and animal world.

Characteristics and types of glaciers

According to the method of movement and visual outlines, the glaciers are classified into two types: coating (continental) and mountain. Cooking glaciers occupy 98% of the total area of \u200b\u200bthe planetary glaciation, and the mountain - almost 1.5%

Mainland glaciers - Giant shields of giant sizes, which are located in Antarctica and Greenland. Glaciers of this type have flat-convexal outlines that do not depend on typical relief. Snow accumulates in the center of the glacier, and spending takes place mainly on the outskirts. The ice of the coating glacier moves in the radial direction - from the center to the periphery, where the ice is taking place, which is afloat.

Mountain type glaciers are small sizes, but different forms that depend on their content. All of the glaciers of this type are pronounced, plots of food, transportation and melting. Power supply is carried out with the help of snow, avalante, a bit sublimation of water evaporation and snow transfer wind.

The biggest glaciers

The biggest in the world is the Lambert Glacier, which is located in Antarctica. Length is 515 kilometers, and the width ranges from 30 to 120 kilometers, the depth of the glacier is 2.5 km. The entire surface of the glacier is raised with a large amount of cracks. The glacier was opened in the 50s of the twentieth century Australian cartographer Lambert.

In Norway (Svalbergen Archipelago), the Austfonna Glacier is located, which leads to the list of the largest glaciers area of \u200b\u200bthe Old Continent (8200 km2).

(Glacier Vatnayekyudle and Volcano GrimoD)

In Iceland, there is a Glacier Vatnayekyudle, which ranks second in Europe in the area (8100 km2). The largest in Mainland Europe is the Unitary Clear Glacier (1230 km2), which is a wide plateau with numerous icy processes.

Melting of glaciers - causes and consequences

The most dangerous of all modern natural processes is the melting of glaciers. Why is this happening? Currently, the planet is heated - this is the result of emissions into the atmosphere of greenhouse gases, which are produced by humanity. As a result, rises and average temperature on the ground. Since ice is a storage of fresh water on the planet, its reserves with intense global warming sooner or later will end. Also, glaciers are climate stabilizers on the planet. Due to the amount of ice, which melted, there is a uniform dilution of the freshwater with water of salt water, which has a special impact on the level of humidity, the level of precipitation, temperature indicators and in the summer, and in the winter season.

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