Glacial Processes Flashcards
1
Q
What is basal sliding?
A
When meltwater underneath a glacier allows the glacier to slide over the ground
2
Q
What is rotational flow?
A
When glaciers move in an arc shape when in a hollow
3
Q
What is internal deformation?
A
When the glacier ice bends and warps to flow downhill like a liquid
4
Q
What is internal deformation caused by?
A
Ice crystals shifting past each other - main may cold based glaciers move
5
Q
How does extensional flow occur?
A
- At the head of the glacier there’s a strong gravitational force pulling the ice down,making it move quicker
- the quicker ice causes more tension and causes the ice to fracture into layers that then slip downwards
6
Q
Where and how does compressional flow occur?
A
Lower down the glacier the ice moves due to the less steep valley
The faster ice from the head pushes down on the slower ice + compresses it
The high pressure cause the ice to fracture into layers and slip forward
7
Q
What are the main things that determine the speed of the glacier?
A
- gradient - steeper the quicker
- thickness of ice - thicker the ice faster the flow
- temperature of base of glacier - more melting increases flow
