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How do earthquakes affect mountainous areas and glaciers?

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Earthquakes can have several effects on mountainous areas and glaciers. In mountainous regions, earthquakes can trigger landslides, rockfalls, and avalanches. The shaking from earthquakes can destabilize slopes, leading to the movement of rocks and debris down the mountainsides. This can pose a significant hazard to communities living in or near mountainous areas.

In terms of glaciers, earthquakes can cause icequakes, which are seismic events that occur within glaciers. These icequakes can lead to the fracturing and breaking of ice, potentially causing glacier calving (the breaking off of ice chunks from the glacier) or glacier surges (rapid movement of glaciers). Additionally, earthquakes can also trigger glacier avalanches, where large masses of ice and snow slide down the mountainside.

Overall, earthquakes can have a significant impact on the stability and dynamics of mountainous areas and glaciers, potentially leading to hazards for both the environment and nearby communities.
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