* Glaciers are always melting: Glaciers are constantly losing ice through melting and sublimation (evaporation of ice). This is a natural process.
* Ice Ages are characterized by large-scale glacial expansion: During Ice Ages, glaciers advance and cover vast areas of land. This is because global temperatures are lower, and more snowfall accumulates than melts.
So, the answer to your question is:
* Yes, glaciers melted during Ice Ages, but they also advanced and grew. The key is that the rate of snowfall and accumulation exceeded the rate of melting during Ice Ages, resulting in a net increase in glacial ice.
* Glaciers also melt during interglacial periods, when temperatures are warmer. This is when glaciers retreat, shrinking in size and sometimes disappearing entirely.
Think of it like this:
* Ice Age = More Snowfall & Accumulation > Melting (Glaciers grow)
* Interglacial Period = More Melting > Snowfall & Accumulation (Glaciers shrink)
It's important to note that we are currently in an interglacial period within the Quaternary Ice Age. This means that glaciers are still retreating, but we are also experiencing the effects of human-induced climate change, which is accelerating the rate of glacial melt.
