Melting glaciers and ice sheets UNIT 3 AOS 2

Question 1

what is the process?

Answer 1

the removal of snow and ice from a glacier of ice-sheet by melting or evaporation

Question 2

distribution?

Answer 2

The distribution of retreating glaciers and melting ice sheets shows an uneven pattern. The two major ice-sheets of the world are in Antarctica and Greenland on opposite sides of the globe. Retreating glaciers are distributed diversely around the world, with majority being in the west coast of South America, the east coast of Greenland and the west coast of North America. Currently every continent has glaciers except for Australia. Only three countries in the world that are within the tropics have glaciers. These include Peru, Chile and Kenya.

Question 3

outline and explain 3 natural causes of melting ice sheets/glaciers

Answer 3

1. sun spots: sun-spot activity correlates with high annual temperatures on earth
2. oceanic circulation change: changes ocean currents have an impact on the exchange of heat between the oceans and the atmosphere
3. albedo: the reflectivity/albedo with determine what covers the earth. Dark surfaces will absorb more heat than lighter surfaces and therefore snow and ice will have trouble forming on darker surfaces

Question 4

outline and explain 3 human causes of melting ice sheets/glaciers

Answer 4

1. direct addition of heat to the atmosphere: burning fossil fuels
2. alteration of landscapes: the construction of hard surfaces in cities, the clearing of forest for agriculture will alter the albedo of the earth and therefore the heat will absorb of reflect
3. alteration of composition of gases in the atmosphere: industrialisation has meant that an increased injection of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide have been put into the atmosphere which will warm atmospheric temperatures

Question 5

4 impacts of melting glaciers/ice sheets on specific location of Greenland

Answer 5

• over the past 30 years there has been an escalating rate in the melting of ice sheets/glaciers
• greenland contains 11% of the earth’s freshwater supply
• increased prevalence of storm surges due to rising sea level
• fishing season extended due to melting

Question 6

3 impacts of melting glaciers/ice sheets on specific location of South America

Answer 6

• 99% of the world’s tropical glaciers are located here
• over 80% of water used in Peri comes from the glaciers
• 70% of electricity generated in Peri and Bolivia comes from hydropower

Question 7

3 general impacts of melting ice sheets/glaciers

Answer 7

1. Sea level rise: sea level has risen an estimated 20cm during the twentieth century. Rising sea levels are making many coastal environments vulnerable to storm surges, also increasing the changes of flooding
2. Agriculture output: the retreating of glaciers has a major impact on food supply and the food security of many locals. Water resources become unreliable and crop failures increase
3. Glaciers store about 75% of the world’s fresh water. Communities reliant on these water supplies will suffer if glaciers continue to melt. Causing health related issues ect.

Question 8

spatial technology? how is it used? who uses it?

Answer 8

Aerial photography is used. This form of technology is able to observe spatial change in ice cover and observe melting trends of glaciers. Used by United Nations Environment Program

Question 9

describe the painting the rocks response

Answer 9

Using egg white, lime and water to paint the rocks on Chalon Sombrero peak white. Aims to increase the albedo of the rock, slowing down the warming of the land.

• Peri: Chalon sombrero peak, 10km west of region capital Ayacucho
• Eduardo Gold and a team of four
• initiated in 2009

Question 10

evaluate the painting the rocks response. Who? What? When? Where?

Answer 10

• labour intensive
• painted rocks 16 degrees cooler than unpainted rocks
• expensive on a large scale. $1.5 billion over 5 years
• would create thousands of jobs if it were successful
• no real data to justify the effectiveness

Question 11

how successful has it been? (painting the rocks)

Answer 11

• wisps of ice have been brought back - Eduardo Gold

- aims have not yet been met, still a work in progress

Question 12

describe the water tanks response. Who? What? When? Where?

Answer 12

Building dams to supply water to stressed communities, Bolivia is planning to launch projects in La Paz, El Alto and four nearby communities. These water tanks would catch water during the rainy season.

• La Paz, El Also
• World bank providing funds
• Idea introduced in 1998, construction began in 2012

Question 13

evaluate the water tanks response

Answer 13

• more water storage
• improve farming/crops
• funded by World Bank, however far greater investments needed for it to be a success
• better hope for the future
• expensive

Question 14

how successful has it been? (water tanks)

Answer 14

dunno

Question 15

describe the earth hour response. Who? What? When? Where?

Answer 15

For one hour, households, businesses and other residential or commercial foundations turn off all electricity. Aims to decrease harmful emission into the atmosphere that are contributing to the warming of our atmosphere

• Global event, launched in Sydney
• 172 different countries
• Launched in 2007, 19th of March every year - 8:30-9:30pm

Question 16

evaluate the earth hour response

Answer 16

• Over 35 countries participating in first year
• raises awareness of the global issue
• power saves in 1 hour is equivalent of taking 6 cars off the roads for a year (not very effective)
• isn’t a long term solution
• isn’t exclusive, all countries involved
• Its impact is so small that it isn’t very effective

Question 17

how successful has it been? (earth hour)

Answer 17

• doesn’t prove to be making a difference