glacier systems

Question 1

inputs

Answer 1

1) snow (from precipitation or avalaches)
2) condensation of water vapur from the air which then freezes
3) deposistion of water vapur from the air. (where vapour turns directly into ice crystals without passing through the liquit stage)
4) bits of rock collected when the glacier carves away at the landscape

Question 2

stores

Answer 2

1) the main store is ice in the glacier itself
2) meltwater is stored on and within the glacier
3) rock is also stored in or on the glaceirs

Question 3

flows

Answer 3

1) meltwater flows through glaciers to channel storage at the base of glaciers
2) debris flow through glaciers

Question 4

outputs

Answer 4

1) ice can melt and flow out of the glacier as meltwater
2) surface snow can melt and evapourate
3) snow can be blown away by strong winds
4) with glaciers that end at see or a lake, blocks of ice fall from the snout (the front) into the water to create iceburgs

Question 5

what is the

glacial mass balance relationship

Answer 5

the glacial mass balane is the relationship between a glaciers inputs and outputs

Question 6

where is there more accumulation

Answer 6

there is more accumulation than ablation in the upper part of a glacier

zone of accumulation

Question 7

where is there more ablation

Answer 7

there is more ablation than accumulation un the lower part of the glacier

zone of ablation

Question 8

where is the glacier at equilibrium

Answer 8

the glaciers equilibrium point is where the accumulation and ablation is equal

middle of glacier

Question 9

positive regime/mass balance

Answer 9

if there is more accumulation than ablation over a year, the glacier has a positive regime/mass balance

Question 10

negative regime/mass balance

Answer 10

when there is less accumulation over a year and the glacier shrinks and retreats

Question 11

negativie feedback mechanisms

Answer 11

negative feedback mechanisms minimise the impact an input oe output has by counteracting it.

eg if the size of the ice input increases, a glaciers movement may speed up so that more meltwater and ice are output at its snout and the mass of the glacier remains constant

Question 12

positive feedback

Answer 12

the resonse to a change makes the change even greater

eg: ice has a high albedo so it reflects lots of the suns enegry. if glaciers retreat, there is less ice - less of the suns energy is reflected and more is absorbed, so the temp rises and the glacier retreats further