3.1.4.3 Geomorphological Processes Flashcards
2 ways the rigid upper layer of ice travels
Uniformly
Quickest
2 ways the plastic lower layer ice travels
None uniformly
Slowest at base
Why are glaciers slower st valley walls and base
Friction
What movement doesn’t exist in cold base glaciers
Basal slip
What’s the main movement in cold based glaciers
Internal flow
When does internal flow occur
Occurs when ice crystals orientate themselves in the direction of the glaciers movement and slide past each other
3 stages to internal flow
Jumble of ice crystals
Ice crystals align under pressure
Ice crystals now slide over one another
Why do ice crystals align in internal flow
Pressure
7 movements in warm based glaciers
Basal flow/slippage Regelation slip Creep extending flow Compressing flow Surges Rotational flow
When does basal sliding occur
When the overlying ice’s weight + friction. With bed and sides cause ice to melt
Encourages ice to move as it isn’t frozen to its base + meltwater acts as lubricant
What causes the ice to melt at the bottom of the glacier for basal flow
Pressure and friction
What 2 processes help basal flow
Regelation slip
Creep
What happens in regelation slip
Obstacles to the ice flow (small<1m) create added pressure on the ice as it begins to move over them ;causing melting which aids the passage of ice over the obstacle
What happens on the upside of the glacier in regelation slip
PMP decreases so it’s warmer and ice melts (higher pressure)
What happens on the downside of the glacier in regelation slip
PMP increases
So it’s colder
Water refreezes (lower pressure)
What are overcome by creep
Larger items
What happens in creep
The ice acts like plastic and moulds itself around the obstacle as the ice crystals change shape/deform
What’s creep all due to
Stress concentrations around larger obstacles on the bedrock floor
When does compressing flow occur
Where there’s a reduction in gradient of valley floor
What happens to the ice in compressing flow
Ice decelerates
Thickening of ice mass
What’s at it’s maximum in compressing flow
Ice erosion
When does extending flow occur
When the valley gradient become steeper