Cryosphere

Question 1

What are two key factors to consider regarding mass balance of glaciers?

Answer 1

1) Temperature changes (cooler = less ablation, warmer = more ablation). TEMP = BOTH ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEAN
2) Precipitation changes (more precip = more accumulation, less precip = less accumulation)

Temperature can override precipitation changes

Question 2

When considering mass loss, what needs to be accounted for?

Answer 2

ABLATION

• Surface mass loss (due to atmospheric processes)
• Basal mass loss/dynamic mass loss (ocean processes)

REDUCED ACCUMULATION, with same rate of ablation, can = mass loss