Unit 2 Definitions Flashcards
Crysosphere
The parts of the earth’s crust and atmosphere that are below 0 degrees for part of each year.
Morphology
Shape and form of land features.
Climate
Long term pattern of weather in a particular area.
Topography
Study of land surface.
Unconstrained ice mass
Masses that have a morphology that is independent of underlying topography.
Constrained ice mass
Ice masses that are contained by topographical features.
Thermal Regime
Temperature of ice.
Temperate glacier
Warm based glaciers found in high altitude areas, where temperatures fluctuate above and below melting point.
Polar Glacier
Found at high latitude locations, with temperatures well below 0 degrees.
Pressure Melting
Ice melting at temperatures below 0 degrees, due to pressure, from weight of overlying ice.
Pressure melting point
The point below 0 degrees at which a substance melts due to pressure.
Regelation
The melting, then refreezing of ice, due to changes in pressure.