what physical factors can influence glaciers? Flashcards
what are the three ways climate can influence glaciated landscapes
wind, precipitation and temperature
how can wind influence glaciated landscapes
Aeolian (transportation, deposition and erosion by wind)
how can precipitation influence glaciated landscapes
precipitation is a key factor in determining mass balance, it is a main input of snow and sleet
how can temperature influence glaciated landscapes
key factor in determining mass balance, if temperatures rise above zero, outputs such as melting and calving will become rife
what are the two elements of geology that are important to consider in terms of their influence on glaciated landscapes
lithology and structure
what is lithology
physical and chemical composition of rocks
what is structure (geology)
properties of an individual rock type such as jointing, bedding or faulting, also includes the permeability of rocks
what is meant by the term weak lithology and what is an example of a rock type that is characterised by its weak lithology
the bonds between the particles that make up the rock are weak. Clay has weak lithology, meaning that it has little resistance to erosion, weathering and mass movements.
what is an example of a rock with strong lithology
Basalt. made of dense interlocking crystals, making it highly resistant and more likely to form prominent landforms such as aretes and pyramidal peaks
what is meant by the term primary permeability
tiny air spaces separate the mineral particles. these pores can absorb and store water easily.
what is an example of a porous rock with primary permeability
chalk
what is meant by secondary permeability
many joints that water can seep into
what is an example of a rock with secondary permeability
carboniferous limestone
what is meant by the term strata
a layer or layers of rock in the ground
what are the four physical components that can influence glaciated landscapes
climate, geology, relief and aspect, altitude and latitude
how will high latitudes influence glaciated landscapes
above 66.5 degrees north and south of the equator, only cold based glaciers will be able to form due to the cold, dry climates with little seasonal variation
how will high altitude locations influence glaciated landscapes
warm based, dynamic valley glaciers will form here due to the vast seasonal variation and large quantities of inputs and outputs.
what will relief and aspect have an influence on
the microclimate and movement of glaciers
how might relief influence a glacier
the steeper the relief, the higher the resultant force of gravity thus the glacier will have more energy to move downslope, increasing its erosive power.
how might aspect influence glaciers
in areas where aspect is facing away from the sun, temperatures are likely to remain below zero for longer, resulting in a positive mass balance and advance. the opposite is true for areas where aspect faces towards the sun.
