In many areas, glaciers provide communities and ecosystems with a reliable source of streamflow and drinking water, particularly in times of extended drought and late in the summer, when seasonal snowpack has melted away. Freshwater runoff from glaciers also influences ocean ecosystems. Glaciers are important as an indicator of climate change because physical changes in glaciers—whether they are growing or shrinking, advancing or receding—provide visible evidence of changes in temperature and precipitation. If glaciers lose more ice than they can accumulate through new snowfall, they ultimately add more water to the oceans, leading to a rise in sea level On average, glaciers worldwide have been losing mass since at least the 1970s which in turn has contributed to observed changes in sea level.
In the gallery, you can see for yourself the alarming global comparisons. Identify the glaciers and you will be rewarded with knowing the location of GZ!
S 36 WE.X (A-D) (Y-C) E 147 W.(G-Y) B (G-Z)