What Do Glaciologists Do?

Glaciology is the study of snow and ice and their physical properties. More specifically, glaciologists analyze the formation, movement, and effects of the different kinds of glaciers, for example, alpine and arctic glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and ice shelves.

Why are glaciologists so important?

Glaciologists measure the glaciers themselves and the effect they have on the rest of the landscape. An important part of glaciology is measuring the health of glaciers. ... Glaciers are always gaining ice from snow, avalanches, refrozen meltwater or by freezing water vapour from the air. This is known as accumulation.

How do glaciologists investigate glaciers?

Glaciology and Climate Change

Research into glaciers and ice sheets is based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, where staff use observational data, laboratory experiments and numerical models to understand the dimensions and flow of ice masses, and to assess the impact of climate change.