ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Deglaciation

Deglaciation is like when a big ice cream cone starts melting. You know how sometimes when you have a really big ice cream cone, it starts to drip down the sides and make a big mess? That's kind of what happens when glaciers (which are like giant ice cream cones made of snow) start to melt and break apart.

But why would glaciers start melting in the first place? Well, sometimes it's because the temperature around them gets warmer. Just like how your ice cream melts on a hot summer day, glaciers can start to melt if it gets too warm around them. And sometimes, other things like changes in sea level or the movement of the Earth can cause glaciers to start melting too.

When glaciers start to melt, they start to turn into water. And that water has to go somewhere! Sometimes it flows into rivers or streams, and sometimes it goes straight into the ocean. This can cause the level of the water in the rivers, streams, or oceans to rise, which can be bad for people and animals that live nearby.

So why do we care if glaciers start melting and causing deglaciation? Well, aside from the fact that it can cause flooding and other problems, it can also impact the entire ecosystem. When glaciers melt, they can create new habitats for plants and animals. But they can also destroy existing habitats and make it harder for some species to survive.

Overall, deglaciation is a big deal because it can cause a lot of changes in our environment. It's important to understand why it happens and what we can do to prevent it or adapt to it.