glacier

Question 1

mean specific mass balance

Answer 1

(annual balance of entire glacier)/(glacier area)

Question 2

transformation of snow to ice

Answer 2

snow –> granular ice –> firn –> glacial ice

Question 3

dry snow zone

Answer 3

no melt occurs even in the summer

Question 4

percolation zone

Answer 4

some surface melt, causing meltwater to percolate into colder snowpack

Question 5

wet snow (soaked) zone

Answer 5

all of the snow deposited since the end of the precious summer has been raised to 0C

Question 6

Area accumulation ratio: AAR

Answer 6

(accumulation area)/(total area)

Question 7

how is accumulation measured?

Answer 7

1. stake measurements of surface snow height

2. pit measurements or shallow cores

Question 8

AAR for balanced glaciers

Answer 8

0.5-0.8

Question 9

how to measure GIC mass balance

Answer 9

1. Direct measurement of change in elevation with time (altimeters)
2. Measurement of mass change with time (GRACE)
3. Estimation of mass fluxes (SAR-derived velocities and ice thickness from altimetry)

Question 10

glacier flow speed is governed by

Answer 10

1. Surface slope
2. Ice thickness
3. Internal temp.
4. Basal lubrication

Question 11

2 types of glacier motion

Answer 11

1. internal deformation

2. sliding