Glaciers Flashcards
What is a glacier?
A glacier is a large mass of ice often shaped like a river that flows very slowly, under the force of gravity. Usually down slopes and across the land.
What is an ice sheet?
An ice sheet is a thick layer of ice that covers more than 50,000 sq km. It completely covers the landscape including mountains and valleys.
When was the last ice age
2.6 million years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago.
What is erosion
Erosion = the wearing away of the land
What is weathering?
Weathering = when rock/ice is exposed to weather conditions which cause it to change
What is Freeze-thaw weathering?
Freeze-thaw weathering: when water in cracks freezes and expands…this eventually makes a rock shatter.
What is transportation?
Transportation is the moving or carrying something. For example a glacier can carry rocks and stones.
What is Supraglacial Transportation?
Supraglacial Transportation – Sediment transported on the top of the glacier
What is Englacial Transportation?
Englacial Transportation – Sediment is transported inside the glacier.
What is Subglacial Transportation?
Subglacial Transportation – Sediment is transport on the bed (bottom) of the glacier.
What is a hazard
Hazard is where you are in danger or at risk
What is a resource?
Resource is something we get from a glacier that benefits us
What is an Arête
It a knife-sharp ridge
What is a Pyramidal Peak
Multiple carries built up together
Tarn
Glacial melt water
Corrie (Cym)
A mountain a with a deep depression in the side
What is a U-Shaped Valley
A glacier has passed through a V-Shaped Valley
What is Abrasion
Where rocks scrape against the floor
What is plucking
Plucking is when rocks get picked from the ground by glaciers
What is Freeze-Thaw Weathering
When water freezes and melts to break away rocks
What is Supraglacial
Where rocks travel on the top of glaciers
What is Englacial
Where rocks travel inside of the glacier
What is subglacial
Where rocks travel on the bottom of a glacier
