Dictionary Glacial Environments

Permafrost

Is ground that stays frozen all year long—even in the summer! Sometimes, plants grow on top of permafrost, but their roots can’t go deep because the ground is frozen underneath!

If you go to really cold and dry places and dig deep into the ground, you’ll find something called permafrost. It’s like a big, icy layer of soil that stays frozen for a long time, sometimes even thousands of years!

Because of permafrost, it’s hard for trees to grow in those areas. In the summer, the top layer of the soil melts just a little, allowing small plants like shrubs to grow.

Think of permafrost as a giant freezer that keeps ancient plants and animals from long ago all safe and preserved. But now, because of climate change, this frozen layer is starting to melt.

When permafrost melts, it can make the ground unstable, which might cause landslides or mudslides that can hurt roads and homes. It also releases gases like methane that have been trapped for a long time, making global warming even worse.

Iceworms

Are tiny, squishy worms that live in glaciers and snow! They love the cold and can’t survive in warm places. If they get too warm (above freezing), they can melt—just like ice!

Ice worms are tiny creatures that live inside glaciers! They are like little earthworms and are only about 1 to 2 centimeters long. They love cold temperatures and eat algae and bacteria that grow on snow and ice. Ice worms have a special liquid in their bodies that keeps them from freezing, so they can live happily at 0°C.

Here are some fun facts about ice worms:

  • Super Tough: They can’t survive in heat! If it gets too warm, they melt.
  • Where They Live: You can find them in glaciers in North America,
    especially in pools that form in the summer.
  • How They Move: They have small, hook-like bristles on their bodies that help them grip the ice and move around.
  • They Love Company: Ice worms often gather in big groups at the bottom of pools, especially when it’s time to breed.

In short, ice worms are like little superheroes of the ice!