Glaciers Flashcards
What are the different forms of erosion
Plucking, freeze-thaw weathering, abrasion
What is plucking
Plucking is a process of erosion that occurs during glaciation. As ice and glaciers move, they scrape along the surrounding rock and pull away pieces of rock which causes erosion.
What is a glacier
A large mass of ice that forms over many years from compressed snow
What is freeze-thaw weathering
Freeze-thaw weathering is a process of erosion that happens in cold areas where ice forms. A crack in a rock can fill with water which then freezes as the temperature drops. As the ice expands, it pushes the crack apart, making it larger.
What it abrasion
As a glacier flows downslope, it drags the rock, sediment, and debris in its basal ice over the bedrock beneath it, grinding it. This process is known as abrasion and produces scratches (striations) in bedrock surface.
What type of valley is left after a glacier has passed through it
U shaped valley
What force moves a glacier downhill
The force of gravity
How do glaciers form
Glaciers form when snow accumulates overtime, compacting into ice. The weight of the ice causes it to move downhill shaping the landscape
What are the two types of glaciers
Alpine and continental
What is an alpine glacier
Glaciers that form in mountainous regions and flow down valleys
What are continental glaciers
Ice sheets that cover vast areas of land and can be found in polar regions
Why are glaciers so important
They play a crucial role in shaping the Earths environment and provide many freshwater resources and hold lots of historical evidence
What is a glacial budget
The glacial budget refers to the balance between the amount of inputs versus outputs affecting the glacial system.
Wha affects a glacial budget
Weather
