Glacial Systems & Processes (AQA A Level Geography)

Figure 8 shows the location of three US glaciers.

Figure 9 shows the change in their size (mass balance) between 1958 and 2005.

Figure 10 shows the cumulative impact of the annual change in mass balance within the three glaciers.

Figure 8                                                        Figure 9

Figure 10

Using Figures 8, 9 and 10, compare the differences between the glaciers.

[6]

Outline processes by which glaciers erode the landscape.

[4]

Figure 7

The surface velocity of various glaciers, including Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica

Note: At the grounding line, glacier ice comes into contact with the sea and starts to float.

Figure 7 shows the surface velocity of various glaciers, including Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica.

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

[6]

Outline the geomorphological process of nivation.

[4]

Figure 7 shows the mean mass balance and cumulative mass balance for selected glaciers around the world.

Figure 7

The mean mass balance and cumulative mass balance for selected glaciers around the world

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

[6]

Figure 7a shows the number of days where ablation exceeds accumulation across the Greenland ice sheet between 1 January and 31 December 2017.

Figure 7b shows the number of melting days difference from the 1981–2010 average across the Greenland ice sheet  between 1 January and 31 December 2017.

Figure 7c shows the percentage of the Greenland ice sheet experiencing melting in 2017. This is compared to the 1981–2010 median.

Figure 7c – Percentage of Greenland ice sheet experiencing melting

in 2017, compared to 1981–2010 median

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7a, Figure 7b and Figure 7c.

[6]

Outline the process of internal deformation.

[4]