Glaciofluvial debris transportation

Question 1

What is responsible for the transport of particles, ranging in size from fine sediment through to cobbles and boulders?

Answer 1

Meltwater is responsible for the transport of particles ranging in size from fine sediment through to cobbles and boulders.

Question 2

Give some of the mechanisms of glaciofluvial transport?

Answer 2

The actual methods of glaciofluvial transport are similar to those that occur in fluvial environments and include transport in solution and suspension and by saltation and traction.

Question 3

What is solution?

Answer 3

Solution - The transportation of dissolved minerals.

Question 4

Define suspension?

Answer 4

Suspension - Finer sediment particles carried along and supported by the water itself.

Question 5

Define saltation?

Answer 5

Saltation - A process of transportation involving the continual ‘jumping’ of small particles.

Question 6

What are glaciofluvial environments characterised by?

Answer 6

Glaciofluvial environments are characterised by considerable fluctuations in discharge over both the long and short term.

Question 7

How do discharges vary in glaciofluvial environments?

Answer 7

Discharges vary seasonally, as in winter months when discharge may be low or cease entirely, and diurnally due to daily variations in ablation and occasional events such as the rapid drainage of an englacial chamber.
Therefore glaciofluvial sediments vary widely in particle size.

Question 8

Can glacial debris switches modes of transport between glaciofluvial and glacial

Answer 8

It must be noted that glacial debris may switch modes of transport between glaciofluvial and glacial.