Topic 2 - Glaciation: EQ4

Question 1

What are the economic value of glacial enviroments

Answer 1

People who live far from mountains benefit froma range of goods and services provided by glacial enviroments, both relict and active. These include pure mountain water, timber, hydroelectirc power for their homes.

Question 2

How can farming be used in glacial landscapes

Answer 2

Within mountains regions in developing nations there may be limited trasport links and access to essential supplies. In countries, highlands are occupied by indignoues people who live off farming.

Question 3

Phenology

Answer 3

The study of the timing of natural events and phenomena, such as the first day the snowdrops appear, in realtion to climate

Question 4

What evidence is there to show that the majority of earths glaciers are currently retreating.

Answer 4

Eastern slopes of rocky mountains, all the glaciers have lost between 25 and 75% of mass since 1850.
1949 Tajkistan glaciers covered 18,500km squared, in 2012 its only 11,000km
Around 95% of himalyan glaciers are in rapid retreat.

Question 5

Are there any countries where glaciers are advancing?

Answer 5

Very few areas where glaciers are expanding. One example ia that of the Maritime glacier in Scandinavia, here the elemnts of changing precipitaion have contributed to a more positive mass balance.

Question 6

With reference to positive feedback cycles, explain why retreat is happening at an exponential rate in Antarctica and Greenland.

Answer 6

Data from satellite surveys of the greenland ice sheet shows a huge decrease in the ice covered area, and new data shows it is beginning to follow trends in eats antarctica with a massive loss in shelf ice. recent regular surveys confirms that this melt and retreat is happening at an ever increasing rate as positive feedback is amplifying the process

Question 8

How is climate warming impacting on different parts of the world