What changes happen to Earths surface when a glacier melts?
The area around the former glacier will be warmer; bare rock absorbs the sun’s heat while the snow and ice reflect it. On a large scale, this could translate into higher global temperatures. Melting glaciers on a large scale contribute to rising sea levels as more water is dumped into oceans. The absence of glacial ice will also cause massive problems for people who get their water from mountain river systems as their main source of water dries up.
