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Glaciers as Natural Systems (AQA A Level Geography)

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  • Define the term glacier.

    Glaciers are defined as large rivers (mass) of ice moving downhill under the influence of gravity.

  • Diagram illustrating various inputs and outputs of a glacier system, including precipitation and geothermal input, ice flow direction, meltwater, and equilibrium zone.

    Complete the missing labels for the glacial system.

    Diagram of a glacier illustrating the processes in the zones of accumulation and ablation, with arrows showing ice flow, calving, sublimation, and meltwater outputs.

  • Define the term ablation.

    The term ablation means the removal of snow and ice from a glacier or iceberg by melting or evaporation.

  • What are the distinctive characteristics of a glaciated landscape?

    The distinctive characteristics of a glaciated landscape are:

    • Glaciers.

    • Sharp mountain peaks.

    • Steep mountainsides and upper lakes.

    • Deep U-shaped valleys or troughs.

    • Features of deposition and erosion—striations left behind on rocks—tell the direction of ice travel.

    • Outwash plains and braided rivers. 

  • State the two types of glaciers.

    The two types of glaciers are constrained and unconstrained.

  • True or False?

    Unconstrained glaciers are influenced by their surroundings.

    False?

    Unconstrained glaciers are not influenced by their surroundings.

  • Give an example of an unconstrained glacier.

    Examples of unconstrained glaciers are:

    • Ice sheet or continental glacier.

    • Ice caps.

    • Ice shelves.

  • Give an example of a constrained glacier.

    Examples of constrained glaciers include:

    • Piedmont glaciers.

    • Valley glaciers.

    • Cirque and niche glaciers.

  • True or False?

    Ice shelves are only found in the Arctic.

    False.

    Ice shelves are only found in Greenland, Northern Canada, Antarctica and the Russian Arctic.

  • True or False?

    Valley glaciers are the most common type of glacier.

    False?

    Cirque glaciers are the most common type of glacier and are found in nearly all areas where snow and ice accumulate.

Previous:Quantitative & Qualitative skillsNext:The Nature & Distribution of Cold Environments

    1. Topic 1

      The Water Cycle

    2. Topic 2

      The Carbon Cycle

    3. Topic 3

      Water, Carbon & Life on Earth

    4. Topic 4

      Quantitative & Qualitative Skills

    1. Topic 1

      Deserts as Natural Systems

    2. Topic 2

      Desert Systems & Processes

    3. Topic 3

      Arid Landscape Development

    4. Topic 4

      Desertification

    5. Topic 5

      Quantitative & Qualitative skills

    1. Topic 1

      Coasts as Natural Systems

    2. Topic 2

      Coastal Systems & Processes

    3. Topic 3

      Coastal Landscape Development

    4. Topic 4

      Coastal Management

    5. Topic 5

      Quantitative & Qualitative skills

    1. Topic 1

      Glaciers as Natural Systems

    2. Topic 2

      The Nature & Distribution of Cold Environments

    3. Topic 3

      Glacial Systems & Processes

    4. Topic 4

      Glaciated Landscape Development

    5. Topic 5

      Human Impacts on Cold Environments

    6. Topic 6

      Quantitative & Qualitative skills

    1. Topic 1

      The Concept of Hazards

    2. Topic 2

      Plate Tectonics

    3. Topic 3

      Volcanic Hazards

    4. Topic 4

      Seismic Hazards

    5. Topic 5

      Storm Hazards

    6. Topic 6

      Fires in Nature

    1. Topic 1

      Ecosystems & Sustainability

    2. Topic 2

      Ecosystems & Processes

    3. Topic 3

      Biomes

    4. Topic 4

      Ecosystems in the British Isles

    5. Topic 5

      Marine Ecosystems

    6. Topic 6

      Local Ecosystems

    1. Topic 1

      Globalisation

    2. Topic 2

      Global Systems

    3. Topic 3

      International Trade & Access to Markets

    4. Topic 4

      Global Governance

    5. Topic 5

      The Global Commons

    6. Topic 6

      Antarctica as a Global Common

    7. Topic 7

      Globalisation Critique

    1. Topic 1

      The Nature & Importance of Places

    2. Topic 2

      Relationships & Connections

    3. Topic 3

      Meaning & Representation

    4. Topic 4

      Quantitative & Qualitative skills

    1. Topic 1

      Urbanisation

    2. Topic 2

      Urban Forms

    3. Topic 3

      Urban Social & Economic Issues

    4. Topic 4

      Urban Climate

    5. Topic 5

      Urban Drainage

    6. Topic 6

      Urban Waste & Disposal

    7. Topic 7

      Other Contemporary Urban Issues

    8. Topic 8

      Sustainable Urban Development

    1. Topic 1

      Population & the Environment

    2. Topic 2

      Environment, Health & Well-Being

    3. Topic 3

      Population Change

    4. Topic 4

      Population Ecology

    5. Topic 5

      Global Population Futures

    1. Topic 1

      Resource Development

    2. Topic 2

      Natural Resource Issues

    3. Topic 3

      Water Security

    4. Topic 4

      Energy Security

    5. Topic 5

      Mineral Security

    6. Topic 6

      Resource Futures