1b. Glaciated landscapes influenced by physical factors Flashcards
1
Q
What 3 ways could climate influence the glaciated landscape?
A
- wind/aeolian processes
- precipitation
- temperature
2
Q
Climate: influence of wind/aeolian processes ?
A
- moving force causes erosion, transportation and deposition (mostly fine material)
3
Q
Climate: influence of precipitation? Rates at high altitudes and latitudes?
A
- main input of of snow, sleet, rain
- high latitude = low prec.
- high altitude = high prec.
- Seasonal variations means a varied mass balance (little seasonal variation in Antarctica)
4
Q
Climate: influence of temperature? At high latitudes & latitudes?
A
- if temps rise above 0°C, ablation occurs
- high altitude = long periods in summer months of melting
- high latitude = temps may never rise above 0°C (explains why ice sheets are so thick)
5
Q
What 2 ways could geology influence the glaciated landscape?
A
- lithology
- structure
6
Q
Geology: influence of lithology?
A
- physical & chemical composition of rocks
- weak lithology = bonds are weak, vulnerable to erosion eg. clay
- strong = highly resistant, more likely to form glacial landforms eg. basalt
7
Q
Geology: influence of structure?
A
- properties of individual rock types such as jointing, bedding, faulting
- eg. chalk is permeable (absorbs water into air spaces)
8
Q
Influence of latitude?
A
- high latitude (Arctic) have cold, dry climate with little seasonal variation of precipitation
- ice sheets (like Greenland and Antarctica)
9
Q
Influence of altitude?
A
- higher precipitation inputs
- more variable temperatures
- dynamic valley glaciers
10
Q
Influence of relief on glacier movement?
A
- steeper relief = greater force of gravity, more energy glacier has to move downslope
11
Q
Influence of aspect on microclimate and glacier movement?
A
- if aspect faces away from the sun, receives less solar energy, less melting
- causes positive mass balance (glacier advances) - more erosive power
- opposite for facing sun
