Ice On The Land

Question 0

Interglacial

Answer 0

A period of ice retreat associated with rising temperatures

Question 1

El Nino effect

Answer 1

A periods blip in the usual global climate characteristics caused by a short term reduction in the intensity of the cold ocean currents that normally exist in the west coast of South America. It results in unusual patterns of temperature/rainfall and can lead to droughts/flash floods etc. in some parts of the world

Question 2

Glacial period

Answer 2

A period of ice advance associated with falling temperatures

Question 3

Ice sheet

Answer 3

A large body of ice over 50000km2 in extent. Unconfined by topography

Question 4

Ice cap

Answer 4

A smaller body of ice (less than 50000km2) usually found in mountainous regions

Question 5

Glacier

Answer 5

A finger of ice usually extending downhill from a nice cap and occupying a valley. Confined by topography

Question 6

Accumulation

Answer 6

Inputs into the glacier budget, such as snow melt and avalanches

Question 7

Topography

Answer 7

The shape of the land

Question 8

Ablation

Answer 8

Outputs from the glacier budget, such as melting

Question 9

Snout

Answer 9

The front/end of a glacier

Question 10

Glacier budget

Answer 10

The balance between the inputs (accumulation) and outputs (ablation) of a glacier

Question 11

Abrasion

Answer 11

Rock fragments carried by ice function as “sandpaper” that scouts surface over which the ice moves. This process produces striations (long grooves and scratches cut into bedrock), and glacial polish (a very smooth surface produced by fine abrasion of bedrock by rock flour)

Question 12

Plucking

Answer 12

Meltwater penetrates into bedrock cracks and refreezes, prying angular blocks of rock loose. These blocks may be incorporated into the ice, producing glacial erratics which can be transported long distances.

Question 13

Glacial erratics

Answer 13

Boulders sometimes formed during plucking

Question 14

Rotational slip

Answer 14

Slippage of ice along a curved surface

Question 15

Moraine

Answer 15

Sediment carried and deposited by the glacier

Question 16

Bulldozing

Answer 16

The pushing of sediment at the snout of the glacier as it advances

Question 17

Corrie

Answer 17

A deep depression on a hillside with a steep back wall often containing a lake

Question 18

Scree

Answer 18

Loose rock on the back walls of corries

Question 19

Arête

Answer 19

A knife edged ridge, often formed between two corries

Question 20

Pyramidal peak

Answer 20

A sharp edged mountain often formed by three back to back corries

Question 21

Glacial trough/U-shaped valley

Answer 21

A wide steep sided valley eroded by a glacier

Question 22

Truncated spur

Answer 22

An eroded interlocking spur characterised by having a very steep cliff

Question 23

Hanging valley

Answer 23

A tributary glacial trough perched up on the side of a main valley, often marked by a waterfall

Question 24

Ribbon lake

Answer 24

A long narrow lake in the bottom of a glacial trough

Question 25

Long profile

Answer 25

This shows the changes in height and shape along the length of the glacier, from it’s source high in the mountains to it’s snout

Question 26

Sustainable management

Answer 26

A form of management that ensures social, economic and environmental needs are balanced and developments are long lasting

Question 27

Fragile environment

Answer 27

An environment that is easily impacted and damaged by human activity

Question 28

Avalanche

Answer 28

A rapid downhill movement if a mass of snow, ice and rocks, usually in a mountainous environment

Question 29

Loose snow avalanche

Answer 29

A powdery avalanche usually from a single start point

Question 30

Slab avalanche

Answer 30

A large scale avalanche formed when a slab of ice and snow breaks away from the main ice pack