Locked Away in Ice
Locked Away in Ice is a Grade 5 science skill from Amplify Science (California) explaining why most of Earth's freshwater is inaccessible. The majority of freshwater is frozen in glaciers and ice caps located in polar regions and on high mountain peaks—places too remote for everyday use. This solid ice holds our planet's largest freshwater reserves yet remains effectively unavailable to most life. Covered in Chapter 1, this skill deepens students' understanding of global freshwater scarcity by showing that scarcity is about accessibility, not just total quantity.
Key Concepts
Even the small amount of freshwater we have is hard to get. Most of Earth's freshwater is "locked up" in solid ice.
Huge sheets of ice called glaciers and ice caps hold the majority of our freshwater. Because these are located in freezing polar regions or on high mountain peaks, this water is largely inaccessible for people to use.
Common Questions
Where is most of Earth's freshwater stored?
Most of Earth's freshwater is frozen in glaciers and ice caps in polar regions like Antarctica and Greenland, and on high mountain peaks around the world.
Why can't we use the freshwater locked in glaciers?
Glaciers are in extremely remote, freezing locations that are not practically accessible. Melting them at scale would also have major consequences for sea levels and ecosystems.
Approximately what fraction of freshwater is frozen in ice?
About 69% of Earth's freshwater is locked in glaciers and ice caps, making it the largest freshwater reservoir but largely inaccessible for human use.
How does Locked Away in Ice connect to East Ferris's water problem in Amplify Science Grade 5?
Chapter 1 establishes that global freshwater is already scarce and hard to access. Ice storage is one major reason—even a planet with freshwater can face shortages if that water is physically unavailable.
What happens to glacier ice as Earth's temperature rises?
Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt faster than they reform. The meltwater flows into oceans where it mixes with salt water, reducing accessible freshwater while raising sea levels.