Glaciofluvial deposition

Question 1

Describe the mechanism of glaciofluvial deposition?

Answer 1

The mechanism of glaciofluvial deposition is similar to the deposition of material in a fluvial environment: material is deposited when there is a reduction in energy.

Question 2

Why can meltwater lose its energy in winter months?

Answer 2

Meltwater can lose its energy in winter months when the water in streams freezes so that discharges either are low or may cease entirely

Question 3

How can meltwater lose its energy diurnally?

Answer 3

Meltwater can lose its energy diurnally due to daily variations in ablation.

Question 4

Give two reasons for a reduction in the energy of meltwater?

Answer 4

• Events such as the rapid drainage of an englacial chamber
• Blockage of a meltwater channel by ice

Question 5

What happens to the ability of meltwater streams to transport material as they reduce in speed?

Answer 5

As meltwater streams reduce in speed, they lose their ability to transport material.

Question 6

As meltwater velocities are reduced, which particles are deposited first?

Answer 6

As meltwater velocities are reduced, heavier particles such as gravel are deposited first.

Question 7

Which particles remain suspended in the meltwater even at very low velocities/

Answer 7

Clay particles remain suspended in meltwater even at very low velocities and meltwater streams need to be hardly moving before clay-sized particles fall out of suspension and are deposited.

Question 8

Which particles are deposited after the heavier particles?

Answer 8

Sand and silt