Glaciers

Given that glaciers are rapidly melting across the world, it is high time we understood a bit more about them, as most will not be around for much longer. One of the best ways to learn is through simulations, so this is what we are proposing.

Glaciers is a Java-based program that helps you understand how glaciers are formed, how they evolve and how they can disappear. It allows you to customize a wide range of parameters, making it an excellent teaching tool.

It can be difficult to get to grips with certain concepts if you can’t visualize what is being discussed. With this program, however, you can see everything it action as it is being described, making it much easier to both learn and teach these concepts.

This application can prove invaluable for educators, even those who aren’t particularly knowledgeable when it comes to computers. All it takes is a few mouse clicks to set up a simulation and modify the parameters.

There are two parameters that determine the evolution of the glacier: sea level air temperature and average snowfall. Once one of them is modified, you can see how the glacier will change in the coming years, and the speed of these changes can also be controlled.

You can hide or display certain indicators, such as temperature, accumulation rate, glacier thickness and so on. What’s more, the simulation can illustrate how ice moves within the glacier.

Four different graphs can be displayed in separate windows, which highlight the evolution of certain parameters while the simulation is underway.

In short, if you’re interested in glaciers or want to explain various concepts to others, Glaciers is a fantastic program to have at hand. It is very easy to use and can make it much easier to understand how glaciers are formed and how they can disappear.