Glacial Landscapes

Question 1

Why are glacial landscapes so important? (10)

Answer 1

• freshwater
• maintain sea levels
• provides fertile ground
• Tourism
• Climate indicator
• Climate regulation
• energy production
• insight into the past
• provides ecosystems and habitats
• Space

Question 2

Why is glacial freshwater important?

Answer 2

• in summer/when the glacier melts, meltwater streams provide freshwater

Used for:
- drinking water
- irrigation water for agriculture

Question 3

What is the glaciers role in maintaining sea levels?

Answer 3

When glaciers melt, freshwater enters the ocean.
- increased volume of water means that water level is higher
- this leads to flooding

Question 4

How does a glacier create fertile ground and why is it important?

Answer 4

As a glacier retreats, it leaves behind it a ground moraine made of a mix of clay, silt, sand and gravel called till.
- this mixture has a good range of nutrients and can maintain moisture while allowing for proper drainage and aeration

• this is excellent for agriculture. Food can be grown in the fertile ground which creates a reliable food supplgy

Question 5

What kinds of tourism can come from glaciated areas and why is it important?

Answer 5

Includes:
- ski resorts
- mountain activities
- natural beauty areas

Important because it brings money into the local economy, and is a major source of income for most glaciated areas.
- can create jobs and therefore the multiplier effect

Question 6

How can an energy supply be established from a glaciated area?

Answer 6

The meltwater streams can be used to power hydroelectric dams
- renewable energy = good for the planet
- creates jobs

Question 7

How can glaciers be climate indicators?

Answer 7

Increased glacial melting shows rising temperatures, and tracking the retreat of glaciers over many years can show the extent and speed of climate change.

Question 8

How can glaciers regulate the climate?

Answer 8

1. As glaciers melt, they release freshwater into the surrounding oceans
   - reduces the salinity of the ocean
   - increases acidity of the ocean

freshwater = less dense. This changes the patterns of ocean currents eg the gulf stream.
- warmer, less dense water sinks less
- so less water is transferred in the deep ocean currents
- so less water can be pushed in the currents

2. The loss of ice decreases albedo, so less solar energy will be reflected back out into space
   - this leads to warmer temperatures near the ground, and the planet warms

Question 9

How do glaciers provide an insight into the past?

Answer 9

• The advance and retreat of glaciers show the Earth’s changing climate
• LOTS of ice deep in the glacier = compressed. Glacial ice is very old - you can get ice cores that can show composition of gases from thousands of years ago
• gives climatic records

Question 10

Why are glacial ecosystems important?

Answer 10

• provides habitats for endangered cold weather species

Glacial meltwater delivers nutrients and minerals into rivers, lakes, and oceans
- drive phytoplankton blooms
- phytoplankton = bottom of food chain, so other life on higher trophic levels in the food chain can now be sustained

Gradual glacial meltwater also sustains stream habitats for plants and animals

Question 11

Why is the space provided by glacial landscapes important?

Answer 11

The space near or the space left behind form a glacier can have many different land uses

eg: agriculture, tourism, infrastructure