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Glaciation and Glacial Processes Flashcards

1
Q

What factors move glaciers?

A

Their own weight and gravity

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2
Q

Give an Irish example of truncated spurs

A

Glenmalure Valley, Co. Wicklow

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3
Q

Define moraines

A

Ridges of till left at different parts of the glacier

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4
Q

Give an example of a corrie in Ireland

A

Coomingshaun, Comeragh Mountains, Co. Waterford

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5
Q

Explain the different forms of glacial movement

A

Internal deformation (plastic flow): Ice crystals within the glacier change shape and slide over each other

Basal slippage (sliding): Meltwater at the base of the glacier acts as a lubricant, allowing the glacier to slide over the bedrock

Rotational movement: Ice moves in circular movement due to gravity

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6
Q

When does basal slippage occur?

A

Temperate glaciers

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7
Q

Define boulder clay/glacier till

A

The load the glacier deposits when it loses its energy

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8
Q

Explain how hanging valleys are formed

A

The main glacier erodes more deeply than the smaller tributary glacier

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9
Q

What processes form truncated spurs?

A

Abrasion and plucking

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10
Q

Define arête

A

A sharp ridge that forms between two cirques or glacial valleys.

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11
Q

Name some features of glacial deposition

A
  • Drumlin
  • Outwash plain
  • Eskers
  • Kettle holes/kames
  • Moraines
  • Erratics
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12
Q

Define kettle holes/lakes

A

Depressions formed when blocks of ice become buried in outwash and then melt, leaving holes that may fill with water.

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13
Q

Explain freeze thaw weathering in the context of glaciation

A
  • Water enters cracks in rocks during the day, freezes at night, expands and causes the rock to break apart.
  • This creates loose debris for the glacier to use in abrasion
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14
Q

Give an example of an esker

A

Esker Riada, Co Meath and Co Galway

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15
Q

Define erratics

A

Large rocks transported and deposited far from their origin

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16
Q

Define u-shaped valley

A

A valley with a flat floor and steep sides, carved by a moving glacier

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17
Q

Give an Irish example of a hanging valley

A

Glenealo Valley, above Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

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18
Q

Give an Irish example of a pyramidal peak

A

Lugnaquilla, Wicklow Mountains, Co. Wicklow

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19
Q

Define truncated spurs

A

Steep cliff faces where a glacier has cut through river valley spurs

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20
Q

Define paternoster lakes

A

A series of small lakes linked by a stream in a glacial valley.

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21
Q

Where does rotational movement occur?

A

Cirques and corries

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22
Q

What erosional processes form pyramidal peaks?

A

Plucking, abrasion and freeze-thaw action

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23
Q

Define outwash plains

A

Flat areas of sorted material eg. sand and gravel deposited by meltwater streams beyond the snout of the glacier

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24
Q

Define glacier

A

A large mass of ice that forms on land from the accumulation and compaction of snow over time and moves slowly under its own weight

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25
Draw a diagram to show the anatomy of a glacier
See notes
26
How does a pyramidal peak form?
Three or more cirques erode into a mountain from different sides. The back walls are worn away by plucking and abrasion. Freeze-thaw action sharpens the peak to a point
27
Draw a diagram to show how glaciers move
See notes
28
How are arêtes formed?
They are formed between two cirques or glacial valleys when glaciers erode both sides by plucking and abrasion, narrowing the ridge. Freeze-thaw weathering sharpens the edge further
29
What erosional processes form arêtes?
Plucking, abrasion and freeze-thaw action
30
Define zone of accumulation
The area where snow and ice build up
31
Define eskers
Long, winding ridges of sand and gravel deposited by rivers flowing under or within a glacier.
32
Explain how a coom lake forms
It forms in a cirque after the glacier melts and meltwater fills the hollow. A rock lip often holds the water in place.
33
Where are lateral moraines found?
Along the sides
34
Define kames
Mounds of sand and gravel deposited in hollows on the glacier surface, left behind when the glacier melts
35
What erosional processes form cirques?
Plucking and abrasion
36
Define cirque/corrie
A bowl shaped hollow found on mountain sides where snow and ice gather. Birthplace of glacier.
37
Define pressure release in the context of glaciation
When overlying ice is removed, rocks expand and fracture, contributing to erosion
38
What erosional processes shape hanging valleys?
Plucking and abrasion
39
What erosional processes shape tarns?
Abrasion and plucking
40
Define plucking
A process of glacial erosion when a glacier moves over previously fractured/weakened bedrock - the glacial ice freezes around the rock and when it moves it "plucks" the rock and carries it away.
41
What is fluvioglacial deposition?
Deposition by meltwater from glaciers. Unlike glacial deposition, it is sorted and stratified
42
Give an Irish example of a u-shaped valley
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
43
Name some features of glacial erosion
* Cirque/corrie * Pyramidal Peak/Horn * Arete * Truncated spurs * Hanging valley * Tarn/coom lake -> glacial lake * Ribbon lake/paternoster lake
44
What are the different types of morraines?
* Terminal * Lateral * Medial * Ground
45
Where are terminal moraines found?
At the snout
46
Draw a diagram to show glacier and corrie formation
See notes
47
Define abrasion in the context of glaciation
When rock fragments at the base and sides of a glacier act like sandpaper. They smooth and polish the bedrock leaving striae
48
Give an Irish example of a coom lake
Lough Muskry, Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary
49
Give an Irish example of an arête
The Bone, MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Co. Kerry
50
Define hanging valley
A smaller valley that joins a deeper U-shaped valley from above
51
Give an Irish example of paternoster lakes
Loughs of Cummenduff, MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Co. Kerry
52
How are corries formed?
The glacier moves in a circular motion (rotational slip), eroding the hollow. Plucking steepens the back wall and abrasion deepens the base
53
How are truncated spurs formed?
The glacier erodes through the rock with abrasion and plucking, straightening the valley. The rounded interlocking spurs are left sharply cut off
54
Explain how glaciers form
* Snow falls and accumulates in a hollow or upland area * Over time, repeated snowfall compresses lower layers of snow into firn/nevé, a granular form of snow * Further compaction turns firn into solid glacial ice * This process can take 30 to 100 years, depending on the climate * When the glacier becomes heavy enough, it begins to move downhill under the force of gravity
55
Define drumlins
Oval shaped hills formed under moving ice, with a steep side facing up-ice and a gentle slope down-ice
56
Draw a diagram of glacial features
See notes
57
What erosional processes form u-shaped valleys?
Abrasion and plucking
58
How are paternoster lakes formed?
Abrasion over-deepens parts of the valley, often due to softer rock. When the glacier melts, water fills these depressions
59
What erosional processes form paternoster lakes?
Abrasion and plucking
60
Where are ground moraines found?
Beneath the glacier
61
Where does internal deformation occur?
Cold based glaciers

Geography (12 decks)

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