how glaciers are affected by physical factors

Question 1

Climate

Answer 1

Wind = force, can carry out erosion, deposition + transportation. These aeolian process can shape landscape, fine material deposited by ice/meltwater.

Precipitation determines mass balance as main input. In high latitude = precipitation extremely low, high altitude eg Canadian rockies = high precipitation.
Greater the seasonal variation, more varied mass balance will be

Temp is important, above 0 degrees, ice + snow = melt = output
determines accumaltion + abaltion

Question 2

Geology

Answer 2

Weak lithology = little resistance to erosion, weathering + mass movements as bonds are weak eg clay.
Where as basalt = dense interlocking crystal = highly resistant + more likely to form prominent features eg arête.

Structure = properties of rock eg joining, bedding. It inc angle of dip of rocks -> influence on Valley side profiles
Porous rock eg chalk = tiny air spaces (pores) can absorb + store water = primary permeability

Question 3

Latitude and altitude

Answer 3

High latitude have cold dry climates w little seasonal variation. The glaciers develop under influence of large, thick stable ice sheets eg Arctic

high altitude = higher precipitation inputs, but more variable temperatures + more summer melting eg Rocky Mountains

the higher latitude + altitude are the more accumulation there is, bigger glacier mass balance -> more impact

Question 4

relief

Answer 4

Steeper the relief, greater resultant force of gravity = more energy glacier will have to more downslope, more erosion
however its over a long period of time

Question 5

aspect

Answer 5

When air temp close to 0 it can affect behaviour of glacial systems + snow + ice melt. If aspect of slope faces away from sun, temp remains cooler for longer as less solar energy hits snow. Mass balances of glacier will be positive in places such as this = advancing. Also affect shape of landscape bc those glaciers w positive mass balance = more likely to be larger w greater erosive power.

If aspect of slope faces towards sun = snowmelt + retreat.

its on microclimate + not glacier as a whole so has a very small impact

Question 6

what happens to glaciers in a cooling environment?

Answer 6

advances + accumulation
processes = plucking, abrasion
landforms = corries, roche moutonees, u shaped valleys

Question 7

what happens to glaciers in a warming environment?

Answer 7

retreats + ablation
processes = deposition
landforms = kames, eskers, erratics