has part melting sublimation process glacial ice ablation process glacial retreat 2019-06-24T17:21:38Z Glacial retreat is usually evident from the recession of the ice margin on land, or calving in the sea, but also from down-wasting. A glacial ice loss process during which the snout (toe) of a glacier shrinks following successive years of negative mass balance. glacier retreat glacial ice loss glacial ice calving process