1 \u2013 A glacier is formed from compacted layers of snow , that slowly deforms and flows due to gravity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 \u2013 Glaciers play a crucial role in storing up and slowly releasing water , making it available during the dry season when there is almost no rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3 \u2013 In general , glaciers store water in winter and release it in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4 \u2013 Glacier ice is the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth , and second only to oceans as the largest reservoir of total water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 \u2013 69 % of all the freshwater on earth is frozen as glaciers , ice or snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6 \u2013 Even though snow only falls in certain parts of the world , it plays an important role in Earth\u2019s hydrologic cycle , and provides irrigation for crops and drinking water for communities that may be far downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 \u2013 Glaciers are the sources for many rivers , they provide drinking water and water for agriculture and industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8 \u2013 Ice and snow are also important in temperate and tropical areas. The slow melt from glaciers provides water to rivers and groundwaters supporting agriculture , domestic water supplies , hydroelectric power stations , and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9 \u2013 Globally , the amount of fresh water locked up in poles and glaciers is staggering. Of that roughly 3 percent of the earth\u2019s total of fresh water , around 69 percent is frozen in the poles and glaciers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10 \u2013 Glaciers are the source for the cold ocean currents in the global ocean conveyor belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11 \u2013 If all of the glaciers in the world and the land ice melted , sea level would rise , according to certain scientists , approximately 70 meters (230 feet) worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
12 \u2013 Glaciers keep our world from getting to hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
13 \u2013 For example The glaciers in north India and Pakistan are a major source of fresh water to the rivers benefiting millions of people downstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
14 \u2013 The polar ice caps regulate our global ocean circulation , so large ice sheets play a vital role in our climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n