Physical factors that influence the development of glacial systems & how they operate

Question 1

Which physical factors influence?

Answer 1

• geology (lithology & structure)
• relief & aspect (height & shape of land)
• climate (temperature, precipitation, wind)
• latitude & altitude

Question 2

Lithology

Answer 2

**physical & chemical composition of rocks **
* e.g. clay = weak lithology = little resistance to erosion, weathering & mass movements
* e.g. basalt = highly resistant = more likely to form prominent glacial landforms

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

properties of individual rock types (jointing, bedding, faulting and permeability)
* porous (e.g. chalk) = absorb, store water] primary permeability
* permeable (e.g. carboniferous limestone) = water seeps in beause of many joints] secondary permeability > joints easily enlarged by solution

Question 4

Relief

Answer 4

how steep, how high up
Steeper relief = greater resultant force of gravity = more energy for glacier to move downslope
Microclimates:
* higher = windier, rainer] accumulation
* lower = hotter] less erosion

Question 5

Aspect

Answer 5

direction facing
* south = more sun = more melting

Question 6

Climate

Answer 6

• more precipitation = more accumulation
• precipitation = erosion, transportation, deposition
• climate change overtime = melt glacier (output)

Question 7

Latitude

Answer 7

high lat. = cold, dry climates with little seasonal variation
* e.g. stable ice sheets (Antarctica)