glaciers as natural systems Flashcards
(21 cards)
explain a glacial system
a natural system that includes an input to lead to an output
what is an open system?
when the inputs are from outside the system area
what is a closed system?
when all of the inputs occur within the systems area
what factors is in a glacial system
input,stores,energy,flows,outputs
define an input
additions to the glacier this is accumulation
e.g snow or hail
define an output
things that leave the glacier system this is ablation e.g meltwater or calving
define energy
this is the “energy” the glacier has it depends on the mass,environment and composition. a factor would be gravity
define stores
these are known as the components that glaciers hold
what are the three stores?
sublgacial,supraglacial,englacial
define subglacial
under the glacier
define englacial
in the glacier
define supraglacial
on the glacier
define flows
processes that occur in the glaciers through transfers of mass or energy
what is dynamic equilibrium
the state of balance in the glaciers through transfers when mass gain=mass loss
what is a feedback loop?
a chain reaction happening in a glacier
what is a positive feedback loop?
when the a reaction starts and ends by heightening the first process
give the process of a positive feedback loop
temperature rises > permafrost melts > CO2 released > greenhouse effect > repeat
what is a negative feedback loop?
a reaction where the effects counteract eachother so nothing changes
give the process of a negative feedback loop
temperature rises > permafrost melts > more plants to take in CO2 > greenhouse effect lessens > temperatures fall
what is the greenhouse effect?
when the suns radiation passes through the earths atmosphere and warms the planet, earth then radiates heat back to space but some is absorbed by greenhouse gases. re-emitting the heat in all directions
what is the difference between a landform and a landscape?
a landform is a natural feature of the earth, a landscape is an area with multiple features/landforms
