What causes glaciers to melt?

Glaciers melt due to rising temperatures, either from natural climate variations or human-induced global warming. Increased air and ocean temperatures accelerate the melting of ice at the surface and the base of glaciers. Soot and dust deposits can also darken the ice, absorbing more sunlight and speeding up the process. Melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels and disrupt ecosystems that depend on stable ice conditions.