2.2

Question 1

Describe the global distribution of high latitude (polar ice sheet) glaciers.

Answer 1

Polar ice sheets can be found at areas of high latitudes. This includes areas such as Central Greenland and Antarctica, which are found in the Arctic circle.
- These areas contain permanent ice, with polar ice sheet in Antarctica stretching approx. 12,000km.

Question 2

Describe the global distribution of high latitude tundra (Periglacial)

Answer 2

Periglacial landscapes can be found at high latitudes, with many also found in the Northern Hemisphere. These are above Tropic of Cancer, including Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia. These vary between permanently frozen ground and those that thaw in Summer.
- Periglacial land in Northern Russia stretches around 7,500km long.

Question 3

Describe the global distribution of high altitude (alpine glacial) glaciers

Answer 3

Alpine glacial areas can be found on every continent, bar two – Antarctica and Africa.

These areas are at high altitudes, leading to cold conditions. These can be seen in Europe, at the European Alps, Himalayas, Northern Rockies and Andes. This stretches around 3000 km long in the west of South America.

Question 4

Distribution of ice-sheets:

Present day vs Pleistocene

Answer 4

• Ice cover at the Pleistocene maximum was more than 3 times greater than present day.
  —> This includes North America and Europe growing in thickness of around 3000m

Question 5

What is the Cryosphere?

Answer 5

This is the frozen part of the hydrological system, which consists sea ice, ice lake, ground ice (permafrost) and snow cover.

Question 6

Why is the cryosphere important?

Answer 6

• It is important for the exchange of mass and energy between cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.
• Important as snow and ice reflect heat from the sun - called the albedo effect
• It is also important as it is a water store
• Very visible and sensitive barometer of climate change - as it constantly grows/retreats

Question 7

What does a constrained/unconstrained ice mass mean?

Answer 7

Constrained ice mass - an ice mass in which its topography is determined by the shape of surrounding land.

Unconstrained ice mass - an ice mass in which its topography isn’t determined by the shape of surrounding land.

Question 8

Name 7 types of ice mass

Answer 8

Ice sheet 
Ice cap 
Ice field 
Valley glaciers
Piedmont glacier
Cirque glacier (Corrie)
Ice shelf

Question 9

Explain one approach to classifying ice masses

Answer 9

The largest ice masses are found in high latitude areas (e.g. ice sheet) Lower latitudes we typically find smaller ice masses (e.g. Cirque glaciers)