4.1 Glaciated Landscapes And The Glacial System

Question 1

What is a glaciated landscape?

Answer 1

A landscape which is distinctive in that its characteristics are exclusively linked to glaciation

Question 2

What is in the foreground?

Answer 2

An active glacier

Question 3

Example of an active glacier?

Answer 3

Mer de glace, France.

Question 4

Is there vegetation in the foreground?

Answer 4

• trees

- some traces of vegetation beginning to take hold of side valleys

Question 5

What is a glacial system?

Answer 5

This is where several components integrate to function as a system.

Question 6

Inputs in a glacial system

Answer 6

• snow

- avalanches

Question 7

Outputs

Answer 7

• liquid water - melting of ice close to snout
• calving
• sublimation
• evaporation

Question 8

What is calving?

Answer 8

Huge chunks of ice break off to form icebergs.

Question 9

When a glaciers mass is combined with the force of gravity what energy is generated?

Answer 9

Potential energy

Question 10

What is the potential energy converted into to carry the glacier?

Answer 10

Kinetic energy

Question 11

What processes are carries out as a result of movement from kinetic energy?

Answer 11

• erosion
• transportation
• deposition

Question 12

What is the main store in a glacial system?

Answer 12

• snow

- ice

Question 13

How often does variation in magnitude occur?

Answer 13

Seasonally

Question 14

Which regions are seasonal variations in magnitude most common in?

Answer 14

Temperate regions

Question 15

Over how many years have the stores of many world glaciers shown a decline in mass?

Answer 15

30

Question 16

why has there been a decrease in glacier mass?

Answer 16

• recent trends in climate change

- and global warming

Question 17

what do flows/transfers include?

Answer 17

• evaporation
• sublimation
• melt water flow
• processes of glacial movement: internal deformation and basal sliding

Question 18

where are flows and transfers more active?

Answer 18

warmer environments where there are significant seasonal variations in temperature.

Question 19

where are flows and transfer less active?

Answer 19

• coldest environments

- e.g. Greenland

Question 20

dynamic equilibrium

Answer 20

found in a glacial system - an equilibrium line can be drawn on the boundary line of the accumulation zone (input zone) and the ablation zone (output zone).

Question 21

how is the equilibrium line balanced?

Answer 21

as the balance shifts, the equilibrium line will move up or down the glacier, hence the term ‘dynamic’ equilibrium.