Glacial system outputs

Question 1

How does material leave the glacial system?

Answer 1

Material leaves the system in the form of water vapour (through evaporation and sublimation), water (through surface melting), ice (the result of calving) rock debris and via aeolian processes as the wind can readily remove sand and silt sized sediment at ice-margins.

Question 2

How does energy leave the glacial system?

Answer 2

Energy leaves the glacial system in the form of heat.

Question 3

Define the term sublimation?

Answer 3

Sublimation is a direct change from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid stage.

Question 4

Define the term calving?

Answer 4

Calving refers to the breaking away of blocks of ice from an ice sheet or glacier into water.

Question 5

Define the term aeolian?

Answer 5

Aeolian is a term applied to the action of wind.