Keywords Flashcards
Stadial
Pulses of ice advance within a glacial period
Interstadial
Minor period of glacial retreat within a glacial period
Glacial Period
Long amount of time (thousands of years) marking an ice age
Usually determined by Milankovitch Cycles
Interglacial Period
Opposite of ice age, the state the world is currently in
Quarternary Period
Beginning of most recent ice age to now, divided into two epochs: Pleistocene and Holocene
Holocene
Current epoch marking end of last ice age to now
Thermohaline Circulation
Deep ocean currents distributing cool and warm water globally, driven by temperature and salinity
Cryopshere
Frozen part of hydrological cycle
Important for scientists researching about climate change
Albedo Effect
Snow and ice reflecting solar radiation from the sun
Last Glacial Maximum
Furthest ice extent of last ice age, covered 25% Earth’s land
Polar Regions
-Areas of permanent ice
E.g. Greenland, Antarctica ice sheets
Periglacial/ Tundra Regions:
-Areas at the edge of permanent ice
-Characterised by permafrost on ground
E.g. Canada, Alaska, Russia
Glacial Environments:
-Found at edges of ice sheets usually in highest mountain regions
Alpine Regions:
-Where high latitudes result in cold conditions, glaciated landscapes are found here
E.g. Himilayas, Alps, Andes
Continuous Permafrost
90-100% of the ground is covered by permafrost
Likely found in Polar regions
Discontinuous Permafrost
50-90% land covered by permafrost
Likely found in Periglacial regions
Sporadic Permafrost
Less than 50% permafrost coverage
Found in periglacial regions
Isolated Permafrost
Smallest amount of permafrost, less than 10%
Active Layer
Layer of soil above permafrost that thaws and freezes seasonally
Thickness affects survival of vegetation
-When thaws allows nutrient flow and soil moisture
Arctic Amplification
The phenomenon where the polar regions, particularly the Arctic, are warming at a significantly faster rate than the rest of the planet due to less albedo effect creating positive feedback loops
Wilderness
Remote area that possess a harsh environment and has little population other than indigenous groups
Relict glaciated landscape
Former glacier site carrying more economic value than glaciated landscapes e.g. agriculture, tourism
E.g. Lake District
Glacial outburst flood
A sudden and catastrophic release of water from a glacial lake, often triggered by a dam failure (like a moraine or ice dam)
Glacial outwash plain (Sandur)
A flat, expansive area formed by glacial meltwater depositing sediment as it flows away from a glacier
