Iowa on Ice
By Libby Dix
Long Ago There Lived an Ice Age...
There were many glaciers that slid across Iowa over the course of several ages. The reason there were ice ages in the first place is because there were large areas of land by our poles that were perfect for ice formation. Then, formation mountains created major climate change. Add in a decrease of carbon dioxide and you have found yourself a great recipe for making A LOT of ice.
Go to http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/exhibits/mammoth/learn.htm to check out more!
SO OLD
Glaciers covered Iowa a long time ago! The last ice age, called the Wisconsinian, was 50,000 years ago. Fast forward 33,000 years later, and a glacier called the Des Moines Lobe came through Iowa and traveled all of the way down to where Des Moines would be. That glacier retreated about 14,000 years ago.
PRETTY COLORS
When you take a look at glaciers, you may notice that some glaciers are different colors. Glacial ice that appears blue is extremely dense from years of getting compressed (air pockets get squished). After that, the ice does not absorb as much red light, so the ice looks blue when the sun reflects off it.
THAT IS SOME TASTY CORN
Many people think Iowa, and they think corn. If it wasn't for glaciers, however, the soil you can find here would not be the same. Glaciers brought till with them- loose gravel and soil- which is the cause of the really good soil here. This is also a reason that people know Iowa has been covered by glaciers.
DID YOU KNOW?
If all of the water frozen in glaciers melted, the sea level would be 70 meters- that's 230 feet!
To learn more cool facts about glaciers, go to:
Glaciers are Rather Common
Experts don't know exactly how many times Iowa has been covered by glaciers, but they do know it has been anywhere between 4 and 11 times. Within these glaciers, Iowa has been shaped and reshaped to become the beautiful place it is today.