Glaciation

Question 1

Inputs of a glacier

Answer 1

• precipitation
• water
• snow

Question 2

outputs of a glacier

Answer 2

-evaporation
-carving

Question 3

stores or components of a glacier

Answer 3

• water
• ice

Question 4

flows and transfers of a glacier

Answer 4

-meltwater

Question 5

Open system

Answer 5

Both energy and matter can leave - inputs and outputs of both
E.g. drainage basin

Question 6

Closed system

Answer 6

Matter can’t leave a close system - can only cycle between stores
E.g. carbon cycle

Question 7

Is a glacier an open or closed system

Answer 7

Open

Question 8

Positive feedback loops

Answer 8

Enhance and speed up processes promoting rapid change

Question 9

Negative feedback loops

Answer 9

Perform regulatory functions working to establish balance and equilibrium

Question 10

Glacier snout

Answer 10

Lowest end of the glacier

Question 11

Ablation

Answer 11

Where snow melts

Question 12

Accumulation

Answer 12

Where snow builds up

Question 13

Positive feedback in glaciers

Answer 13

Ice has an high albedo, if glaciers retreat there is less ice, so less of the suns energy is reflected and more is absorbed so temperatures rise and glaciers retreat further

Question 14

Negative feedback in glaciers

Answer 14

If the size of the ice input increases, a glacier may speed up so that more water and ice are output and the mass of the glacier stays constant

Question 15

When would a glacier be in a state of dynamic equilibrium

Answer 15

When the balance is continual (always occurring)

Question 16

Glacial periods

Answer 16

Times with large ice sheets

Question 17

Interglacial periods

Answer 17

Times without large ice sheets

Question 18

Polar

Answer 18

Areas of permanent ice

Question 19

Periglacial

Answer 19

Found at the edge of permanent ice, characterised by permafrosts

Question 20

Alphine

Answer 20

Mountainous areas

Question 21

Glacial

Answer 21

Found at the edge of an ice sheet and in particularly mountainous regions

Question 22

Physical characteristics of cold environments

Answer 22

• altitude : less air/oxygen to hold heat
• low levels of insulation
• high albedo : more ice = colder as 90% of sunlight is reflected on ice
• katabatic winds : strong gusts of cold wind
• coolness of air
• high pressure system : clouds don’t act as insulation
• less direct sunlight due to being on the edge of the globe not net equator

Question 23

Physical characteristics of glacial environment

Answer 23

• vegitation and animals depends on where the glacier is located
• cold climates in high altitudes
• high precipitation

Question 24

How have plants adapted to the tundra

Answer 24

• permafrosts : roots don’t go too deep
• trees groundhugging
• thin pines
• ability to photosynthesis
• slow growth rates
• low albedo of plants surfaces
• reduce transpiration

Question 25

Glacial budget

Answer 25

Balance between accumulation and ablation over a year

Question 26

Temperate (warm based) glaciers characteristics

Answer 26

Water at the surface in summer, may end up at base via fluvio-glacial system