What percentage of Earth's water is found in glaciers?
Final answer:
Glaciers and ice caps hold about 68.7% of Earth's fresh water, with most freshwater being stored in Antarctica and Greenland. They are essential parts of the water cycle and are vital fresh water reserves that could be affected by global warming.
Explanation:
Approximately 68.7% of Earth's fresh water is contained within glaciers and ice caps, with the vast majority of that - 90% in Antarctica, 9% in Greenland, and the remaining 1% scattered in other alpine regions. Glaciers play a crucial role as they hold about 69% of the world's fresh water, highlighting their importance in the global water cycle and as reserves of fresh water. As the Earth's climate warms, these glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace, which could significantly affect water supplies and sea levels worldwide.
The distribution of water on Earth is predominantly in the oceans, with about 97% being salt water. Freshwater accounts for only 3% of the Earth's water, with glaciers and polar ice caps comprising most of this freshwater. The potential melting of this ice due to global warming poses a serious threat to coastal cities and freshwater systems.