* Direct wave action: When waves hit a glacier, they can break off pieces of ice. This process is called calving. Calving can occur at any time of year, but it is most common in the summer when the waves are bigger.
* Meltwater: When the sun shines on a glacier, it melts the ice. This meltwater can then flow down the glacier and into the ocean. Meltwater can also cause cracks to form in the glacier, which can weaken it and make it more vulnerable to calving.
* Submarine melting: Submarines with the capability can melt Arctic Ocean's thick sheet of winter ice into open water in a matter of seconds or minutes while travelling underwater. Glaciers can also melt from below when they come into contact with warm ocean water. This process is called submarine melting. Submarine melting is a major contributor to glacier retreat in many parts of the world.
The combination of these three processes is causing glaciers to retreat at an alarming rate. In some parts of the world, glaciers are retreating by as much as 100 meters per year. This retreat is having a number of negative consequences, including rising sea levels, the loss of habitat for polar animals, and changes to the global climate.
Here are some specific examples of how the ocean is gnawing away at glaciers:
* In Alaska, the Bering Glacier is retreating at a rate of about 150 meters per year. This retreat is being caused by a combination of calving, meltwater, and submarine melting.
* In Greenland, the Jakobshavn Isbrae is retreating at a rate of about 40 meters per year. This retreat is being caused by a combination of calving and submarine melting.
* In Antarctica, the Pine Island Glacier is retreating at a rate of about 100 meters per year. This retreat is being caused by a combination of calving, meltwater, and submarine melting.
The retreat of these and other glaciers is a serious threat to the global climate. Glaciers store vast amounts of fresh water, and when they melt, this water enters the ocean. This can cause sea levels to rise, which can damage coastal communities and infrastructure. Glacier melt can also change the ocean's circulation patterns, which can have a global impact on climate.
It is important to take action to address the retreat of glaciers. We can do this by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, which will help to slow the rate of global warming. We can also support policies that protect glaciers and the habitats of polar animals.
