AQA Geography - Glacier systems and distribution

?
How much of Earth’s fresh water is in ice sheets?
77% of Earth’s fresh water is in ice sheets
1 of 47
What is a system?
A system is a set of interconnected parts that work together. They have a series of stores or components and have flows between them.
2 of 47
What are the four major systems within the earth?
The Atmosphere, The Hydrosphere, The Biosphere and
3 of 47
The Atmosphere
The envelope of gases that surrounds Earth
4 of 47
The Hydrosphere
All of Earth's water, including surface, groundwater , snowcover, ice, and water in the atmosphere.
5 of 47
The Biosphere
All life on Earth; the parts of the  geosphere,  hydrosphere, and  atmosphere  in which living organisms can be found.
6 of 47
The Lithosphere
The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.
7 of 47
Open System
Has inputs, outputs and stores and both energy and matter can be transferred into the surrounding environment. E.g. The drainage basin system (water) The glacial system is an example.
8 of 47
Closed systems
Energy is transferred into and out of the system but matter is enclosed. E.g. The eart
9 of 47
Facts about glacier top
The top of glaciers are generally higher up. This means that there is a larger amount of precipitation (snowfall), and colder temperatures.
10 of 47
accumulation
an imbalance between the inputs and outputs, with a larger input.
11 of 47
ablation
an imbalance between the inputs and outputs, with a larger output.
12 of 47
Facts about glacier bottom
At the snout of a glacier, the altitude is generally lower, resulting in lower precipitation (snowfall), and higher temperatures.
13 of 47
What does the imbalance of inputs and outputs through the glacial system result in?
a movement of mass
14 of 47
mass balance
The overall balance of mass through the glacier
15 of 47
Zone of equilibrium
balance between accumulation and ablation
16 of 47
Inputs of the Glacial System
Snowfall Avalanches from valley sides
17 of 47
Outputs of the Glacial System
Meltwater Rivers Direct evaporation from glacier Calving (icebergs on coast)
18 of 47
Dynamic equilibrium
a balance of inputs and outputs
19 of 47
feedback
if inputs or outputs suddenly change, then stores are forced to change and the equilibrium is ups
20 of 47
Postive feedback
occurs where the effects of an action are amplified by changes to the inputs/outputs/processes. In other words it keeps going and going eg increasing melting or increasing growth of glacier
21 of 47
Negative feedback
occurs where the effects of an action are nullified by changes to the inputs/outputs/processes
22 of 47
Polar
areas of permenant ice. E.g Greenland and Antarctica
23 of 47
Glacial environments
areas covered by ice sheets and glaciers, in mountainous regions such as the Himalayas and Andes
24 of 47
Periglacial (& tundra) regions
exist in dry high-latitude areas not permanently covered by snow and ice (at the edge of them). Characterised by permanently frozen ground (permafrost)
25 of 47
Alpine Regions
mountain areas. High altitudes result in cold conditions.=, e.g. the Alps.
26 of 47
What are the are 5 main causes for the present distribution of cold environment?
Latitude, Altitude, Aspect, Relief and Distance from moisture source
27 of 47
Latitude
The higher the latitude, the less solar radiation (energy/heat) the earth receives from the sun. at the poles the suns radiation has further to travel, and therefore more time to loose energy. In addition, this energy is distributed over a largerarea
28 of 47
Altitude
The higher the altitude, the lower the temperature due to lower air density
29 of 47
Aspect
In the Northern Hemisphere, southern facing slopes receive more energy due to the movement of the sun throughout the day. This leaves northern facing slopes with less solar radition, therefore a lower temperature, giving them a high change of snow
30 of 47
Relief
If the slope is too steep, the snow and ice from precipitation may just slide down the peak, rather than accumulating.
31 of 47
Distance from moisture source
Precipitation is more likely to occur near a moisture source, the sea or ocean, than in what are known as “continental interiors”.
32 of 47
Characteristics of cold environments
Poor soils, Low precipitation, Limited vegetation
33 of 47
Glacial budget inputs
Precipitation in the form of snow and ice and avalanches which add snow, ice and debris from the valley sides.
34 of 47
Glacial budget storage
The glacier itself
35 of 47
Glacial budget flows
Movement of ice and various types of flow
36 of 47
Glacial budget outputs
Water vapour, sublimation, calving, melting, deposition of material
37 of 47
The glacial budget
The glacial budget is the total of accumulation and ablation for a glacier.
38 of 47
How does the glacial budget vary throughout the year?
In summer months ablation will be at its highest because of rapid melting. In the winter higher amounts of snowfall and limited melting will result in accumulation being greater than ablation.
39 of 47
Accumulation
The process of building-up of a pack of snow, refrozen slush, meltwater and firn (isn’t compressed enough to be ice yet). Net accumulation for one year is the material left over at the end of the melt-season.
40 of 47
Accumulation area
That part of a glacier’s surface, usually at higher elevations, on which there is net accumulation of snow, which subsequently turns into firn and then glacier ice.
41 of 47
Ablation
The process of wastage of snow or ice by melting, sublimation and calving.
42 of 47
Calving
The process of detachment of icebergs and smaller blocks of ice from a glacier into water.
43 of 47
Glacier advance
The forward movement of the snout of a glacier following successive years of positive mass balance
44 of 47
Glacier recession
The shrinking of the snout of a glacier following successive years of negative mass balance. Also referred to by the term glacier retreat.
45 of 47
Glacier terminus
Lowest end of a glacier
46 of 47
Snout
The lower part of the ablation area of a valley glacier, commonly shaped like the snout of an animal
47 of 47

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is a system?

Back

A system is a set of interconnected parts that work together. They have a series of stores or components and have flows between them.

Card 3

Front

What are the four major systems within the earth?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

The Atmosphere

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

The Hydrosphere

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Geography resources:

See all Geography resources »See all Hot and cold environments resources »