2.1.1 Part 3: Time Scales & System Changes

What is the difference between short-term and long-term water cycle processes?

Short-term processes occur over hours/days (e.g., precipitation, evaporation). Long-term processes occur over years/centuries/millennia (e.g., glacier accumulation, deep groundwater movement).

What short-term factors control evaporation and precipitation rates?

Daily, monthly, and seasonal atmospheric/climate variations.

Define cryospheric accumulation.

The addition of snow and ice mass to glaciers/ice sheets.

Define cryospheric ablation.

The loss of mass from glaciers/ice sheets via melting, sublimation, or calving.

How does a glacier's mass balance change during dynamic climate warming?

Ablation exceeds accumulation, leading to negative mass balance and glacier retreat.

What happens to sea levels during a glacial period (cooling)?

Sea levels drop because more water accumulates in ice sheets and glaciers.

What happens to sea levels during an interglacial period (warming)?

Sea levels rise as glaciers melt and return water to the oceans.

What took place during the last ice age regarding water stores?

Large volumes of water shifted into glaciers, lowering global sea levels.

How does deforestation disrupt local water mass balance?

Reduces interception and transpiration, increases surface runoff, and lowers soil moisture storage.

How does urbanization disrupt local water mass balance?

Replaces permeable soil with impermeable concrete, reducing infiltration and accelerating runoff.

How does groundwater over-extraction affect aquifers?

Depletes stored groundwater faster than natural recharge, lowering water tables.

How does burning fossil fuels impact the water cycle?

Increases global temperatures, accelerating cryospheric melt and causing sea level rise.