Distribution of cold environments

Question 1

When was the last ice age?

Answer 1

Pleistocene era, spanning from 2.5 million years ago to 11,700 years ago.

Question 2

What were the main two periods?

Answer 2

There were two main periods, glacial and interglacial

Question 3

What happened during the last glacial period?

Answer 3

Colder temperatures, causing glacial advances and sea levels to fall

Question 4

What happened in the last interglacial period?

Answer 4

Warmer temperatures, causing glacial retreats and sea levels to rise

Question 5

What is an example of negative feedback?

Answer 5

Size of ice input increases, a glacier may speed up so that more water and ice are output, the mass of the glacier remaining constant

Question 6

What is an example of positive feedback?

Answer 6

Ice has a high albedo. if glaciers retreat there is less ice, less of energy is reflected, so temps rise and glaciers retreat

Question 7

What is a polar environment?

Answer 7

• Includes many other cold environments within the polar environment and commonly found in Antarctica and Greenland
• Typically never above 10 degrees celsius
• Winters usually below -40 and can reach -90
• Precipitation is low

Question 8

What is a Periglacial (Tundra) environment?

Answer 8

• An area or permanently frozen ground (permafrost), including areas such as Russia, Canada, Scandinavia and Alaska
• Precipitation fairly low (below 380mm)
• Soil is thin
• Plants grow slowly and not very tall

Question 9

What is an Alpine environment?

Answer 9

• Mountainous areas for example the European Alps and the Southern Alps in New Zealand
• Cold winters and mild summers
• Tend to be above the altitude of the treeline

Question 10

What is a glacial environment?

Answer 10

They are found at the edges of ice sheets, particularly in areas such as the Himalayas and Andes