Basal ice

Basal ice is the layer of ice that forms at the base of a glacier or ice sheet. This layer can melt slightly or stay at the melting point due to pressure, allowing water to exist between the ice and the underlying ground. This basal water acts as a lubricant, enabling the glacier to slide more easily over the terrain. The behavior and amount of basal ice influence how fast a glacier moves and how it erodes the landscape beneath it. Understanding basal ice is important for studying glacier dynamics and predicting how glaciers respond to climate change.