Lecture 16 Flashcards
1
Q
What controls a glaciers size and mass?
A
A river of ice and debris flowing under its own weight due to gravity
2
Q
What does the equilibrium line divide?
A
The zone of net accumulation from the net ablation zone
3
Q
If accumulation = ablation
A
Glacier is in balance
Glacier will stay the same size
4
Q
If accumulation > ablation
A
Mass balance is positive
Glacier will grow in size
5
Q
If accumulation < ablation
A
Mass balance is negative
Glacier will shrink in size
6
Q
To measure accumulation in the field(2)
A
- Use stake measurements to measure snow height at end of winter
- Use snow pits and cores to get snow depth and density at end of winter
7
Q
To measure ablation in the field ( hint: think of seasons and melting)
A
Put stakes in glacier marking surface at the end of winter, and see how much surface lowers by end of summer
8
Q
What type of ablation might seismometers help measure?
A
Calving
