Glacier terminus

The location of the terminus is often directly related to glacier mass balance, which is based on the amount of snowfall which occurs in the accumulation zone of a glacier, as compared to the amount that is melted in the ablation zone.

The position of a glacier terminus is also impacted by localized or regional temperature change over time.

The end of the glacier terminus is measured from a fixed position in neighboring bedrock periodically over time.

The difference in location of a glacier terminus as measured from this fixed position at different time intervals provides a record of the glacier's change.

But there are many conditions that alter this typical shape, including the presence of thermal fields and various stresses that cause cracking and melting feedback resulting in glacial calving and other diverse forms.

A glacial terminus
Satellite view of changing glacier termini in the Bhutan-Himalaya, showing glacial lakes formed by the retreating termini on the surface of the debris-covered glaciers over the last several decades.