Chapter 9 - Ice & Glaciers, Wind & Deserts Flashcards
What is a glacier?
A mass of ice that moves over land under its own weight, through the action of gravity.
What are alpine glaciers?
(Mountain or valley glaciers) they are glaciers that occupy valleys in mountainous terrain, most often at relatively high altitudes.
What are continental glaciers?
Ice caps, they are glaciers that can cover whole continents and reach thicknesses of a km or more.
What is known as the calving process?
It is a process by which glaciers flow out over water and break up, creating icebergs.
What is known as ablation?
It is the set of processes by which ice is lost from a glacier.
What is the equilibrium line?
It is the line on the glacial surface where there is no net gain or net loss of material.
What are known as striations?
Fine, parallel, scratches created by bits of rock that have become frozen into the ice at the base of a glacier.
What is known as abrasion?
Erosion by the scraping of ice or included sediment on the surface underneath.
What is known as till?
Sediment that has been deposited directly from the ice.
What is known as outwash?
Till that has been transported and redeposited by the meltwater.
What is a moraine?
A landform made of till.
What is a terminal morraine?
Where a glacier begins a long-term retreat.
What are ventifacts?
Wind made rocks.
What is known as deflation?
It is the wholesale removal of loose sediment by the wind.
What is a dune?
A low mound or ridge that is usually made of sand.
