Definitions

Question 0

Glacial

Answer 0

A period of time when masses of ice develop and advance into lower altitudes due to the sustained decline in temperature. Extensive continental ice sheets for during such periods

Question 1

Quaternary period

Answer 1

The latest period in geological time spanning the last 2 million years. It is sub-divided into Pleistocene epoch ( the most recent ice age) and the Holocene epoch (the post-glacial period of the last 10000 years)

Question 2

Interglacial

Answer 2

A period of time, such as present day, when ice still covers part of the earths surface but has retreated to the polar regions

Question 3

Accumulation

Answer 3

The bet gain in an ice mass. The source of accumulation are direct snowfall an avalanching from higher slopes.

Question 4

Sublimation

Answer 4

The transition from the solid state (ice) to gas (water vapour) with no intermediate liquid stage (water)

Question 5

Ablation

Answer 5

The process of wastage of snow or ice, especially by melting

Question 6

Pressure melting point (pmp)

Answer 6

The temperature at which ice under pressure will melt

Question 7

Extensional flow

Answer 7

This is the extension and related thinning of glacier ice in those zones where velocity increases

Question 8

Compressional flow

Answer 8

This is the type of glacier flow whereby a reduction in velocity leads to an increase in thickness of a glacier