Glaciated Landscapes: What Processes Operate Within Glacier Systems Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the zone of accumulation in a glacier?
The zone where snow is added and compacted into ice.
What is the zone of ablation?
The area near the snout of the glacier where ice may melt.
What is surface mass balance?
The difference between accumulation and ablation.
What occurs during a positive mass balance?
Glaciers gain more mass than they lose.
What separates the zones of accumulation and ablation?
The equilibrium line.
List the processes through which accumulation can occur.
- Direct snowfall
- Sublimation
- Avalanches
- Wind deposition
List the processes that result in ablation.
- Melting
- Calving
- Evaporation
- Avalanches
What factors influence the movement of glaciers?
- Amount of precipitation
- Amount of ablation
- Steepness of ice
- Thickness of ice
- Permeability of the surface
- Proximity to the equilibrium line
What is basal slip?
Glacier sliding over the bed due to meltwater under ice.
What is regelation creep?
Melting and refreezing of ice which affects slippage.
What is internal deformation in glacial movement?
Deformation of ice crystals due to the weight of ice, usually at the glacier bed.
What processes do glaciers use to alter landscapes?
- Erosion
- Entrainment
- Transport
- Reposition
What is erosion in the context of glaciation?
Wearing away by wind, water, and other natural agents.
What does entrainment refer to in glacial processes?
Responsible for the erosions and the movement of rocks.
What is the significance of glacial landforms?
They provide evidence for the extent of ice cover.
Fill in the blank: Glaciers develop from the compaction of _______.
[snow and ice]
True or False: A negative mass balance occurs when the rate of ablation is greater than the rate of accumulation.
True
