Given our current geologic era, how are the glaciers moving?

Glaciers are massive, slow-moving rivers of ice that flow under the influence of gravity. In the current geologic era, glaciers primarily move downhill towards lower elevations, which typically leads them towards oceans or valleys. This movement occurs as the ice within the glacier becomes dense, and due to gravity, it flows from regions of accumulation (where snow builds up) to areas of ablation (where ice melts or sublimates).

In the context of the current era, glaciers do not move uphill into the mountains; instead, they are retreating or moving downwards as they respond to changing temperatures and climate conditions. The flow is facilitated by the melting of the ice at the base, which creates a lubricating layer that allows for movement. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of glaciers in relation to climate change and sea level rise, as they are indicators of global temperature changes.