Irvine-Fynn et al 2011 (1 & 2) Flashcards

1
Q

The manner by which meltwater drains through a glacier is critical to…

A

Ice dynamics, runoff characteristics, and water quality.

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2
Q

Polar ice masses, rather than being impermeable, are interlaced with drainage systems, comprising what components?

A

Surface (supraglacial), internal (englacial), and basal (subglacial) hydraulic components.

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3
Q

Arctic valley glaciers has illustrated that glacier hydrology and ice motion are intricately linked as a result of…

A

the role of meltwater accessing the glacier sole and reducing basal traction.

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4
Q

Glacier hydrology and ice motion being linked drives..

The coupling between polar glacier hydrology and dynamics has the potential to

A

glacier surge cycles in higher latitudes and more recently has been invoked to explain dynamics at ice sheet margins.

to accelerate ice losses via a positive feedback whereby the rate of mass transfer to lower elevations is increased.

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5
Q

A glacier’s hydrological architecture affects…

A

the timing and volume of meltwater release and the quality of waters delivered to downstream terrestrial and/or aquatic environments.

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6
Q

The hydrological configuration of a glacier is significantly influenced by its…

A

Thermal structure.

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7
Q

The thermal structure of a glacier is ultimately dependent on…

A

its heat balance, which is controlled by intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting processes of conduction, advection, and latent heat transfer [Paterson, 1994].

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8
Q

Polythermal glaciers are defined as

A

ice masses displaying a perennial concurrence of temperate and cold ice

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9
Q

Temperate ice is at the

Cold ice is

A

pressure melting point (PMP) exhibiting coexisting water and ice and an interstitial liquid content up to ∼9% by volume.

below PMP and exhibits negligible interstitial water.

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10
Q

Where cold ice characterizes the glacier bed interface…

A

the high adhesive strength of cold ice ensures the glacier is effectively frozen to the rock substrate.

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11
Q

Polythermal glacier regimes are a common, characteristic response in regions with…

A

protracted subfreezing winter air temperatures where steep, annual near‐surface temperature gradients result in the net conduction of heat away from the glacier ice and a deeper penetration of the winter cold wave.

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12
Q

A temperate ice zone may be sustained where…

A

Ice thickness is in excess of the cold wave penetration depth or where ice overburden pressure elevates ice temperature to the PMP.

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13
Q

The process of temperate ice advection is further complicated by the nature of…

See this paper for diagrams later

A

the accumulation regime and leads to a characteristic contrast between the nontemperate glaciers of the continental Canadian Arctic and those located in maritime Svalbard and Scandinavia: Differences in typical winter temperatures and snow depths result in regional disparity in insulation and latent heat release during snow metamorphosis and burial.

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14
Q

Glacier thinning as a response to rising air temperatures may result in…

A

either a reduction or an increase in the spatial extent of cold ice.

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15
Q

Truly temperate glaciers, by definition, may have a limited occurrence, perhaps restricted to…

A

areas of >2 m of winter snowfall where both restricted penetration and seasonal elimination of the cold wave can occur.

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16
Q

Because of their extensive cold ice content, for similar geometry, many nontemperate or polythermal glaciers exhibit…

A

reduced rates of ice deformation and fracturing over considerable areas, resulting in a low crevasse density compared to their temperate counterparts.

17
Q

At the start of the Arctic melt season, a proportion of meltwater freezing within and at the base of the snowpack and/or percolation zone forms At the start of the Arctic melt season, a proportion of meltwater freezing within and at the base of the snowpack and/or percolation zone forms…

A

Superimposed ice, this can be a significant contribution to accumulation upon many High Arctic glaciers

18
Q

Superimposed ice accentuates…

A

the reduced permeability of nontemperate glaciers so that accumulation of meltwater on the glacier surface is pronounced during the early period of the ablation season.

19
Q

After the removal of snow cover, the surface and ice dynamic conditions upon nontemperate glaciers in the Arctic can also facilitate the development of…

A

Weathering crust to depths of the order of several meters in the ablation areas.

20
Q

Observations of degrading surface ice layer at nontemperate glaciers with a density decreasing to ∼0.5 g cm−3 at relatively shallow (<0.5 m) depths show that the seasonal weathering crust can be enhanced by the presence of….

The development of the weathering crust in cold regions can also be promoted by shallow (<3 m) fracturing caused by…

A

Cryoconite, the biologically active dust common to glacier surfaces that can enhance localized melting.

Large stresses from thermal expansion

21
Q

Where lakes are absent, slush flows (mobilized saturated snow or firn)…

A

drain into topographic lows and can initiate or reopen antecedent supraglacial channel routes.

22
Q

The persistence of snow bridges and metamorphosed and deforming ice over these incised flow paths results…

A

enclosed, high‐roofed englacial channels). Meltwater refreezing on the incised channel walls near the ice surface may also aid in the isolation of a supraglacial stream within the englacial environment, as can early season slush flows associated with supraglacial snowmelt floods