Glacial system throughputs

Question 1

Give some examples of material throughputs?

Answer 1

Material throughputs include the movement of snow, ice, meltwater and rock debris through the system.

Question 2

Give some throughputs of energy?

Answer 2

Throughputs of energy include gravitational energy in the form of kinetic energy as ice moves downhill, the release of frictional heat energy as ice movement leads to an increase in ice temperature and the release of latent heat energy when meltwater within a glacier refreezes.

Question 3

What is regulation flow?

Answer 3

Regulation flow - Ice melts under pressure up-ice side of a small obstacle (stoss) and freezes again on the down-ice side (lee), when the pressure is reduced. This process occurs where obstacles are small enough to enable the latent heat released by the lee-side refreezing to be conducted to the stoss side to promote further melting.

Question 4

How quickly are materials and energy throughput through the glacial system?

Answer 4

Materials and energy are throughput through the glacial system at a variety of rates.