Ablation and Accumulation (AQA A-Level Geography): Flashcards
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Accumulation zone location
Accumulation zone location
Upper part of glacier where ice gain > ice loss
Ablation zone location
Ablation zone location
Lower part of glacier where ice loss > ice gain
Equilibrium line definition
Equilibrium line definition
Boundary where ice gained exactly balances ice lost
Net balance formula
Net balance formula
Total accumulation minus total ablation over one year
When glacial advance occurs
When glacial advance occurs
When accumulation > ablation, snout moves down valley
When glacial retreat occurs
When glacial retreat occurs
When ablation > accumulation, snout moves up valley
Ice flow direction during retreat
Ice flow direction during retreat
Always downslope; snout retreats as melting > ice arrival
Three ablation processes
Three ablation processes
Melting, sublimation, and calving
Temperate glacier winter balance
Temperate glacier winter balance
Positive; high snowfall, cold temps limit melting
Current trend for most glaciers
Current trend for most glaciers
Retreating due to negative annual net balances