Deglaciation.

Deglaciation is the uncovering or exposure of a land surface that was previously covered by glacial ice. It results from ice melting or subliming (transforming from solid directly into vapor). Deglaciation, therefore, accompanies the end of a glacial stage. As deglaciation occurs, several processes take effect. Among these processes are meltwater stream flow, development of meltwater lakes, addition of water to the world’s oceans (raising the global sea level), exposure of the land, and rebound of the land (lifting of the land’s elevation as a result of the removal of the weight of the overlying ice). In addition, faunal and floral changes accompany deglaciation in response to changes in landscape and ecology.