Definitions Flashcards
Define a tundra climate?
A subsection of the polar climate in which at least one month is above 0 degrees. Trees can’t grow; but specialised plants can. Precipitation is less than 250mm.
Define an ice cap climate?
Another subsection, with no months with an average temperature above 0 degrees. No vegetation whatsoever and none/little precipitation.
Define a periglacial environment
A climate with no dry season, frequently subject to glacial processes. Permafrost commonly occurs.
Define ice sheets?
The largest glacier, covers more than 20,000 km.
Define ice shelves?
Ice sheets in the sea 100-1000km thick
Define ice fields/caps?
Miniature ice sheets which cover less than 50,000km
What are tidewater glaciers?
Glaciers that flow all the way to the ocean.
What are cirque glaciers?
Glaciers found within bowl shaped depressions in mountains.
Outlet glaciers?
Glaciers that flow from ice fields.
Piedmont glaciers?
Glaciers from a mountain that spread out.
Constrained glaciers?
Glaciers trapped by underlying topography.
Define ablation
The removal of snow and ice from a glacier or iceberg by melting or evaporation.
What is the equilibrium line?
The elevation at which accumulation and melting is equal.
What is neve?
Young, granular snow that has been partially melted, refrozen and compacted.
What is firm?
Neve snow that survives a full season of ablation, so is denser.
