deglaciation

[ dee-gley-shee-ey-shuhn, -see- ]

noun

, Geology.

1. the gradual melting away of a glacier from the surface of a landmass.

deglaciation

/ dē-glā′shē-ā′shən /

1. The uncovering of land that was previously covered by a glacier. Deglaciation occurs when a glacier melts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deglaciation¹

First recorded in 1890–95; de- + glaciation ( def )

Example Sentences

"If this continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s," the authors explained.

From Salon

“If this continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s,” it warned.

From New York Times

“Their current retreat rates are higher than the global average. If this continues, it will lead to total deglaciation by the 2040s,” it says.

From Seattle Times

"What makes 79N so important is the way it's attached to the interior ice sheet, and that means that one day - if the climate warms as we expect - this region will probably become one of the major centres of action for the deglaciation of Greenland."

From BBC

Atmospheric warming, ocean warming, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, deglaciation, desertification, eutrophication—these are just some of the byproducts of our species’ success.

From The New Yorker