FAQ

What is the largest glacier?

The Antarctic Ice Sheet at 14 million km2. It contains 26.5 million km3 of ice, about 70% of the worlds freshwater.

How many glaciers are there?

Over 200,000 worldwide. Greenland alone has over 30,000. The Alps have about 4,000. Most are unnamed and unmonitored.

Are all glaciers retreating?

No. Most are retreating, but some are advancing. Perito Moreno in Argentina and Hubbard in Alaska are advancing. The Karakoram glaciers are relatively stable. These exceptions are actively studied.

What happens if all glaciers melt?

Sea levels would rise about 70 m if all ice on Earth melted. Just the two ice sheets (Antarctica 58 m + Greenland 7.2 m) account for 65 m. Mountain glaciers add about 0.5 m but affect billions through water supply.