Glacial Systems and Landscapes

Question 1

Accumulation

Answer 1

Addition of mass to a glacier

Question 2

Ablation

Answer 2

Loss of mass from the glacier
(Meltwater, avalanches, evaporation)

Question 3

Glacial budget

Answer 3

Difference between total accumulation and ablation for one year

Question 4

Positive glacial budget

Answer 4

Accumulation exceeds ablation, so the glacier advances

Question 5

Open system

Answer 5

Matter and energy can be exchanged across the system’s boundaries

Question 6

Closed system

Answer 6

Only energy (not matter) can be exchanged across the boundary

Question 7

Positive Feedback

Answer 7

The inputs of a process are amplified by the outputs

Question 8

Negative Feedback

Answer 8

The inputs of a process are nullified by the outputs

Question 9

Glacier

Answer 9

Large mass of ice constantly moving under the pressure of its own weight

Question 10

Mass Balance

Answer 10

Difference between total accumulation and ablation for any one time

Question 11

Snout

Answer 11

End of the glacier where melting occurs

Question 12

Basal Slippage

Answer 12

Layer of meltwater acting as a lubricant to help ice slide over bedrock

Question 13

Macro scale glaciers

Answer 13

Over 50,000 km^2

Question 14

Meso scale glaciers

Answer 14

Under 50,000 km^2

Question 15

Dynamic Equilibrium

Answer 15

State of balance where process causing the balance are continual (always occurring)

Question 16

Polar Environments:
Location

Answer 16

High latitudes at the poles (66 degrees North and South) at Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle

Question 17

Polar Environments:
Temperature

Answer 17

North Pole:
Summer 0 degrees C
Winter -40 degrees C

South Pole:
Summer -30 degrees C
Winter -60 degrees C

Question 18

Polar Environments:
Climate, Vegetation and Soils

Answer 18

Below freezing temperatures
Little rainfall (<100 mm per year)
Only adapted mosses and lichen grow
Soil is low in nutrients and limits further plant growth

Question 19

Alpine Environments:
Location

Answer 19

High altitude, mountainous regions

Question 20

Alpine Environments:
Temperature

Answer 20

Temps fluctuate annually
Summer above 10 degrees C
Winter -15 degrees C

Question 21

Alpine Environments:
Climate, Vegetation and Soils

Answer 21

More snowfall in winter than polar environments
Adapted animals live at high altitudes
Adapted nutrient rich vegetation grows in soil

Question 22

Pressure melting point (PMP)

Answer 22

Temperature at which ice melts under pressure. The deeper the ice means more pressure on the base from mass above, creating more friction and a lower PMP

Question 23

Periglacial Environments: Location

Answer 23

On the edge of cold environments - polar, alpine
Areas of permanently frozen ground (permafrost) - continuous, discontinuous, sporadic, isolated
Active layer thaws in summer

Question 24

Periglacial environments: Temperature

Answer 24

Temps consistently below freezing
Summer temps thaws active layer

Question 25

Periglacial Environments: Climate, vegetation and soils

Answer 25

Vegetation more than polar regions - only highly adapted plants
Poor soils and slow nutrient cycle - waterlogged soil in summer
Deoxygenated plants - nutrients leached out

Question 26

Warm based glaciers

Answer 26

Alpine, fluctuating warmer temps and lots of melt water (erosion from basal sliding and internal deformation)
Summer - base temps below 0 degrees
Winter - -10 degrees

Question 27

Cold based glaciers

Answer 27

Polar - consistently dry and cold, little meltwater
Internal deformation only, little basal sliding
Summer - <-10 degrees base temp
Winter - <-10 degrees base temp