Ice sheet dynamics describe the motion within large bodies of ice, such those currently on Greenland and Antarctica. Ice motion is dominated by the movement of glaciers, whose gravity-driven activity is controlled by two main variable factors: the temperature and strength of their bases.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-sheet_dynamics
The more variable the amount of melting at surface of the glacier, the faster the ice will flow. The top 50 meters of the glacier form the fracture zone, where ice moves as a single unit. Cracks form as the glacier moves over irregular terrain, which may penetrate the full depth of the fracture zone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-sheet_dynamics
Animation showing glacier changes. This animation shows the average yearly change in mass, in cm of water, during 2003–2010, over Greenland and Antarctica. Regions with large ice loss rates are denoted with the blue and purple colors. There are enormous ice loss rates over substantial regions of both ice sheets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-sheet_dynamics
'At a glacial pace' means 'very slowly'. Unfortunately, studies of moral judgment move at a glacial pace relative to the speed of neural processing.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=glacial%20pace
A glacier (US /ˈɡleɪʃər/ or UK /ˈɡlæsiə/) is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight; it forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation (melting and sublimation) over many years, often centuries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier
A large piece of compressed ice, or a glacier, appears blue as large quantities of water appear blue. This is because water molecules absorb other colors more efficiently than blue. The other reason for the blue color of glaciers is the lack of air bubbles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier
The main cause of flow within glaciers can be attributed to an increase in the surface slope, brought upon by an imbalance between the amounts of accumulation vs. ablation. This imbalance increases the shear stress on a glacier until it begins to flow.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice-sheet_dynamics
The speed of glacial displacement is partly determined by friction. Friction makes the ice at the bottom of the glacier move more slowly than ice at the top. In alpine glaciers, friction is also generated at the valley's side walls, which slows the edges relative to the center.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier
1. (Geological Science) characterized by the presence of masses of ice. 2. (Geological Science) relating to, caused by, or deposited by a glacier. 3. extremely cold; icy. 4. cold or hostile in manner: a glacial look. 5. (Chemistry) (of a chemical compound) of or tending to form crystals that resemble ice: glacial acetic acid.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/glacial
An alpine glacier that fills a valley is sometimes called a valley glacier. A large body of glacial ice astride a mountain, mountain range, or volcano is termed an ice cap or ice field. Ice caps have an area less than 50,000 km2 (19,000 sq mi) by definition. Glacial bodies larger than 50,000 km2 (19,000 sq mi) are called ice sheets or continental glaciers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier
define glacial speed
The speed of glacial displacement is partly determined by friction.