The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. How do mountain glaciers and continental glaciers differ in terms of dimensions, thickness, and movement? (A)

Mountain glaciers are found in mountainous regions and are generally smaller in size compared to continental glaciers. They primarily form in high-altitude areas with cold temperatures and adequate snowfall. The ice in mountain glaciers flows downhill due to gravity.

Continental glaciers are much larger in size and are found mainly in Antarctica and Greenland. They cover vast areas and can be several kilometers thick. The ice in continental glaciers also moves, but its movement is influenced by its weight and the underlying geology of the land.

The dimensions of mountain glaciers are smaller than those of continental glaciers. Mountain glaciers can range from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers in length, whereas continental glaciers can span thousands of kilometers.

The thickness of mountain glaciers varies depending on the terrain and can range from tens of meters to hundreds of meters in depth. In contrast, continental glaciers are much thicker, sometimes reaching several kilometers deep.

Both mountain and continental glaciers move due to the force of gravity, but the movement of mountain glaciers is more pronounced due to the sloping terrain in which they are formed. Continental glaciers move more slowly and in a more uniform manner across the large, flat expanse of land they cover. The movement of continental glaciers can also be influenced by the underlying geology of the land. In conclusion, mountain glaciers and continental glaciers differ in terms of dimensions, thickness, and movement. Mountain glaciers are smaller, thinner, and move more quickly due to the force of gravity and the sloping terrain they are formed in, while continental glaciers are much larger, thicker, and move more slowly and uniformly across vast expanses of land.