Geography Final

What happens to glaciers in the summer compared to winter?

We lose more ice in summer than we gain in winter.

What is 'firn'?

It is granular, compacted snow that is not quite glacial ice.

What is the 'zone of accumulation' in relation to glaciers?

This is the area where snow is added to the glacier.

What occurs in the 'zone of ablation'?

Ice is lost from the glacier, primarily through melting.

What is the equilibrium line altitude?

This is the altitude where accumulation equals ablation.

How does glacial ice flow?

It flows like liquid but can crack like a solid.

What are the two main types of glacial movement?

These are glacial creep and glacial sliding.

What is 'plucking' in glacial erosion?

This is when bedrock is broken off and frozen within a glacier.

What is 'till'?

These are poorly sorted deposits moved directly from ice to the ground.

What describes a terminal moraine?

This is the outer-most limit of a glacier.

What is a kettle lake?

These are steep, water-filled depressions formed by melting glaciers.

What does the term 'drumlins' refer to?

These are smooth, steep, elliptical-shaped mounds beneath glacial ice.

How do hurricanes form?

These form over warm water with initial disturbances, sufficient Coriolis forces, and weak upper air winds.

What is a thalweg in hydrology?

This is the high velocity zone of water flow in a stream, typically located in the deepest part of the channel.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather refers to atmospheric conditions over a short period, while climate describes long-term patterns.

What is a biome?

This is a major ecological area defined by distinct climate, plants, and animals.

What are the key factors influencing biome distribution?

Key factors include climate, terrain, maritime effects, latitude, and altitude.

What is the USDA Soil Taxonomy?

This is a system used to classify soils based on their characteristics.

What does the term 'latitude' refer to?

This refers to the horizontal distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees.

How does energy transfer occur in ecosystems?

Energy transfers through food chains from primary producers to consumers.

What are the processes of weathering?

Weathering occurs through physical breakdown and chemical alteration of rocks.

Define 'hydraulic action' in river erosion.

This is the process of water breaking away and moving rock material from a river bed.

What form of mass movement occurs slowly and imperceptibly?

Creep is a slow, almost imperceptible mass movement of soil.

What are the major characteristics of aridisols?

These are commonly found in dry climates, often needing irrigation for farming.

What does 'NPP' stand for and what does it measure?

NPP stands for Net Primary Productivity and measures the biomass produced minus respiration losses over time.

What is the role of chlorophyll in ocean productivity?

Increased chlorophyll indicates higher productivity due to nutrient-rich water supporting marine life.

What happens at the beginning of glacier formation?

At the beginning, layers of snow accumulate, compress, and transform into firn, leading to the development of glacial ice.