Glacier mass balance Flashcards
(7 cards)
1
Q
What is the glacier mass balance?
A
difference between the amount of snow & ice accumulation and the amount of ablation occurring in a glacier over a one-year period
~the “health” of the glacier
2
Q
Glacier mass balance equation
A
input - output
3
Q
The accumulation zone
A
- majority of inputs occur towards the upper reaches of the glacier
- accumulation exceeds ablation
4
Q
The ablation zone
A
- most outputs occur at lower levels
- ablation exceeds accumulation
5
Q
What is the annual budget?
A
total accumulation - total ablation for the year
6
Q
+tive mass balance
A
net gain (more than they lose) of ice through the year
~increasing the vol. of ice and allowing glacier to advance & grow
7
Q
-tive mass balance
A
net loss (more than they gain) of ice through the year
~ablation exceeds accumulation
~glacier will contract & retreat up-valley (along with equilibrium line)
