Glacier Basics

studied byStudied by 0 people
0.0(0)
Get a hint
Hint

Glacier

1 / 21

encourage image

There's no tags or description

Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.

22 Terms

1

Glacier

A massive slow-moving body of ice formed from the accumulation of snow

New cards
2

Snow Accumulation

The process where snow piles up over time, compressing into firn, a granular form of ice.

New cards
3

Compaction

The process of further compressing firn into solid glacier ice as more snow accumulates.

New cards
4

Movement

The flow of glaciers downslope or outward due to gravity, resembling a slow-moving river of ice.

New cards
5

Alpine Glaciers

Glaciers that form in high mountain ranges and flow down valleys, creating U-shaped valleys through erosion.

New cards
6

Continental Glaciers

Massive ice sheets covering large land areas in polar regions

New cards
7

Ice Caps

Smaller ice sheets covering mountain ranges or regions

New cards
8

Piedmont Glaciers

Glaciers that form when valley glaciers spill out onto flat plains, spreading into bulbous shapes.

New cards
9

Tidewater Glaciers

Glaciers that terminate in the sea, often breaking off to form icebergs, common in Alaska and Greenland.

New cards
10

Basal Slip

A glacier slides over the ground beneath it on a layer of meltwater.

New cards
11

Internal Flow

The deformation and slow movement of ice within a glacier

New cards
12

Crevasses

Deep cracks in a glacier's surface formed due to varying rates of movement in different parts of the glacier.

New cards
13

Erosional Landforms

Landforms created by glaciers through erosion, including U-shaped valleys, cirques, arêtes, and horns.

New cards
14

Depositional Landforms

Landforms created by the deposition of materials left behind by glaciers, such as moraines, drumlins, and eskers.

New cards
15

Moraines

Accumulations of rock and debris (till) left behind by a glacier.

New cards
16

Ice Ages

Periods when large portions of Earth’s surface are covered by glaciers, with the last Ice Age ending about 11,000 years ago.

New cards
17

Glacial Cycles

Glacial and interglacial periods caused by changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt (Milankovitch cycles).

New cards
18

Melting Glaciers

The accelerated melting of glaciers due to rising global temperatures from climate change.

New cards
19

Sea Level Rise

Caused by melting glaciers, particularly ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

New cards
20

Freshwater Reservoir

Glaciers hold about 70% of the world's freshwater, providing water for rivers, lakes, and human consumption.

New cards
21

Climate Indicators

Glaciers serve as indicators of global warming, with their retreat rates providing insights into climate change impacts.

New cards
22

Ecosystem Impact

The influence of glaciers on unique ecosystems and nearby habitats, which may struggle as glaciers melt.

New cards

Explore top notes

note Note
studied byStudied by 80 people
... ago
5.0(3)
note Note
studied byStudied by 19 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 24 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 15 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 42 people
... ago
5.0(2)
note Note
studied byStudied by 27 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 13 people
... ago
5.0(1)
note Note
studied byStudied by 35266 people
... ago
4.8(98)

Explore top flashcards

flashcards Flashcard (64)
studied byStudied by 9 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (38)
studied byStudied by 7 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (53)
studied byStudied by 7 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (46)
studied byStudied by 6 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (27)
studied byStudied by 16 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (50)
studied byStudied by 1 person
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (58)
studied byStudied by 12 people
... ago
5.0(1)
flashcards Flashcard (28)
studied byStudied by 110 people
... ago
5.0(1)
robot