Glaciers and how they are viewed as a system Flashcards

1
Q

what is a system?

A

A system is a set interrelated objects comprising of stores + transfers that are connected to form a working unit.

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2
Q

what type of system is a glacier and why?

A

Glacier is open system has external Inputs eg energy, precipitation, material and Outputs eg glacial, wind erosion of rock surfaces, meltwater + evaporation.

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3
Q

what stores/throughputs do glaciers have?

A

Materials that are carried by a glacier are stores eg ice, water + debris accumulation

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4
Q

what is transfer?

A

the transfer is the movement of a glacier due to gravity, gradient and increasing accumulation at the glacier store

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5
Q

what energies are available to the system?

A

Kinetic energy is the input from wind + moving glaciers
Thermal energy is absorbed from the sun
Potential energy from position of material on slope from deposition, weathering + mass movement.

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6
Q

what is equilibrium?

A

when inputs and outputs are equal

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7
Q

when equilibrium is disturbed what happens?

A

self regulation takes place, this is where it changes form until its back in equilibrium (dynamic equilibrium -> example of negative feedback)

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8
Q

what is the glacier mass balance?

A

the difference between the amount of snow and ice (accumulation) and the amount of melting (ablation) occurring in a glacier over one year period.

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9
Q

when does the glacier advance?

A

in the accumulation zone at the upper part, where accumulation > ablation

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10
Q

when does the glacier retreat?

A

in the ablation zone where ablation > accumulation

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11
Q

what happens to the mass balance seasonly?

A

advancing in the winter, and retreating in the summer.

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12
Q

what are the outputs?

A

main output is the loss of water vapour from evaporation of glaciers surface.

calving - blocks of ice break off at glaciers snout

meltwater streams

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