Starvation (glaciology)

In glaciology, starvation is said to occur when a glacier retreats not because of temperature increases, but due to precipitation being so low that ice flow downwards into the zone of ablation exceeds the replenishment from snowfall. Eventually, the ice will move so far down that it either calves into the ocean or melts.

Related Topics:
Glaciology - Glacier - Temperature - Precipitation - Ocean

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When starvation does occur, however, it can almost always be reversed by slight changes in precipitation, such as are brought about by mountain ranges. Thus, even if glaciers do not cover a lowland due to low precipitation, glaciation is almost certain to occur at higher elevations.

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