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Flashcards in Glaciers Deck (33)
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1
Q

Long-term cause of climate change

A

Milankovitch cycle

2
Q

Short term cause of climate change

A

Sunspots, volcanic emissions, asteroids

3
Q

4 main types of cold environments

A

Polar, alpine, glacier, periglacial

4
Q

What is a polar glacier?

A

frozen to bedrock and melting only occurs on the surface in summer months, occurs in polar glacial environments (move 2-3cm per day)

5
Q

What is a temperate glacier?

A

temperature of the ice is close to zero and mild summer temperatures cause melting, occurs in alpine glacial environments (move 20-30cm per day)

6
Q

Describe negative feedback

A

A lot of snowfall causes the glacier to advance meaning the snow enters the zone of ablation. More melting occurs to minimise the effects of more inputs, keeping the glacier balanced

7
Q

Describe positive feedback

A

More snow means that there is an increase in albedo. This decreases the air temperature so accumulation rates increase.

8
Q

Describe the Pressure Melting Point

A

The PMP is usually zero on the surface of a glacier, but it can decrease within a glacier due to pressure and the weight of the weight of the glacier.

9
Q

How can a cold based glacier move?

A

Internal flow -ice crystals orientate themselves in the direction of ice flow, crystals slide past each other, slow process

10
Q

How can a warm based glacier move by basal flow?

A

Higher temperature causes melting, friction is created causing more meltwater, glacier moves quickly

11
Q

How can a warm based glacier move by creep?

A

Ice acts like plastic, pressure builds up causing ice to melt before the obstacle, water slips over the obstacle, pressure decreases so water freezes

12
Q

How can a warm based glacier move by extending and compressing flow?

A

As ice flows over a gentle gradient it slows down and becomes thicker. As ice flows over a steeper gradient it flows and becomes thinner.

13
Q

How can a warm based glacier move by surges?

A

Excessive meltwater underneath glaciers can trigger a sudden surge of movement. Only happens every 100 years.

14
Q

What factors impact glacial movement?

A

Impermeable/permeable, temperature, rate of precipitation, gradient, thickness of ice and ablation

15
Q

Name 4 erosional processes

A

Plucking/quarrying, glacial abrasion, glacial crushing and basal melting

16
Q

What makes relict glacial environments high value?

A

Flat areas ==> farming (East Anglia)
Mountain range ==> HEP and tourism (Chamonix, France)
Valley ==> forestry (Snowdonia, Wales)

17
Q

Name global climate change agreements?

A

Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen, Paris Summits

18
Q

Name national climate change agreements?

A

Alpine convention, Antartic treaty

19
Q

Threats to cold environments

A

Greenland

20
Q

what % of Greenland is covered in ice?

A

80%

21
Q

What is the average ice loss in Greenland?

A

Ice loss rates have increased from 34 gigatonnes (1992-2001) per year to 215 gigatonnes (2002-2011) per year

22
Q

What are the threats to Greenland?

A

Climate change
Increased shipping ==> pollution
Overfishing==>extinction of species
Political disputes over the artic seabed

23
Q

Threats and solutions in Greenland?

A

Soil erosion=> farming problems=> (increased planting)
Trampling=>loss of biodiversity=>(limiting tourism)
Landslides=>infrastructure damage=>(afforestation)
Deforestation=>loss of habitats=> (education, regulations, afforestation)

24
Q

Periglacial environment

A

Yamal, Peninsula, Russia

25
Q

Threats to Yamal

A

Nenets forced into modern culture=> cultural dilution
Mining=> environmental issues
Global warming=>melting of permafrost=>flooding

26
Q

Valuable National Park

A

Cairngorms, East Scotland

27
Q

Why is Cairngorms valuable?

A

endangered species, glacial landforms (Old Ban rouche mountonne is 428m high), tourism

28
Q

How much does tourism contribute to the economy in Cairngorms ?

A

30%

29
Q

How is Cairngorms protected?

A

13 species protected by the European Protected Species Program, Forest Management (79% of trees are native) and Education

30
Q

Glacial national park

A

Glacial National Park in Montana USA

31
Q

What species are threatened in Montana?

A

Grizzly bears, only around 300 left

32
Q

Threats to Montana national park?

A

Global warming=>glaciers melting=> endangered species=> (Rocky Mountain Climate Organisation)
Tourism=>trampling=> (93% of the park is managed)

33
Q

How many tourists visit the Glacier national park per year?

A

2 million

Creating $1billion and 4000 jobs