What is the Difference Between Glacier and Iceberg?

Glaciers and icebergs are both enormous masses of ice, but they have distinct differences in their formation, location, and structure:

Glaciers:

• Glaciers are large sheets of ice that can extend for miles, formed by the accumulation of snow and ice over hundreds of years.
• They are located in mountainous regions, such as valley glaciers, or in polar regions where snow never melts.
• Some of the Earth's glaciers are so massive that global sea levels will rise significantly if they melt.
• Glaciers move downslope under the influence of their own weight, a process called glacier flow.

Icebergs:

• Icebergs are smaller pieces of ice that have broken off (or calved) from glaciers and now drift with the ocean currents.
• They originate from large continental glaciers in the polar regions.
• Icebergs usually have a lifespan of between three and six years, as they slowly melt once they reach warmer water.
• The submerged part of an iceberg is called a "bummock," while the visible part on top is called a "hummock".

In summary, glaciers are large, slow-moving sheets of ice formed over hundreds of years, while icebergs are smaller pieces of ice that have broken off from glaciers and float on the ocean surface. The main difference between the two is their formation process and location. Glaciers are formed by the accumulation of snow and ice, while icebergs are created when chunks of glaciers break off and float in the water.

Comparative Table: Glacier vs Iceberg

The main differences between glaciers and icebergs are their formation process, location, size, and lifespan. Here is a table comparing the two:

In summary, glaciers are large ice sheets formed over centuries from accumulated snow and are located in mountainous regions, valleys, and polar regions. Icebergs, on the other hand, are smaller chunks of ice that break off from glaciers and float in the ocean. They come in various shapes and have a shorter lifespan compared to glaciers.