Ice Age

By: Paige Amsberry

Iowa Under Ice

1.8 million years ago, during the Pleistocene Era, glaciers covered all of Iowa. One of the glaciers that covered Iowa was called the Wisconsinan Glaciation, and it is also the most recent glacier that covered Iowa. Changes in the position of the North Pole and changes in the earth's tilt affected how much solar radiation the earth received, so it resulted in heat loss. Formation of mountain carbon dioxide reduced the insulating effect of the earth's atmosphere, and it also resulted in heat loss.

More About Glaciers

If all of the glaciers melted, the sea level would rise about 230 feet. The ocean would then cover all of the coastal cities, but cities like Denver would survive since they are in the middle of the country. Glaciers help us because they indicate global warming and sudden climate changes. Tons of fresh water are added to the water everyday, but if all of the glaciers melted, the people depending on glaciers for fresh drinking water wouldn't get it anymore.