3.1.4.1 Glaciers as Natural Systems Flashcards
What’s a system
An assemblage of interrelated parts that work together by way of some driving process
A series of stores/components that have flows/connections between them
What are the elements of a system
Things that make up the system of interest
What are the attributes of a system
Perceived characteristics of the elements
The relationships in a system
Descriptions of how the various elements work together to carry out a process
3 types of systems
Isolated systems
Closed systems
Open systems
What’s an open system
Where matter + energy can be transferred from the system across the boundary into the surrounding environment
What’s a glacier
A mass of ice that flows downhill due to gravity
What 4 things does an open glacial system have
Inputs, outputs, flows and stores
How does snow turn into clear glacial ice over years
Snow falls and survives summer melt
Layers trap air and are compressed (nevee)
Meltwater percolates into nevee and freezes forming glacial ice over 20-40 years
Inputs in a glacial system
Snow from precipitation
Snow and ice from avalanches
Debris
Where do inputs occur in a glacial system
Accumulation zone
What’s the main output of a glacial system
Meltwater
Where does meltwater leave a glacier
At the snout where it is warmer
What process can cause ice to be an output
What does it leave the glacier in the form of
Calving
Icebergs
2 other outputs of a glacier
Evaporation and sublimation of water vapour
Debris from deposition
