Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle.
- AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 1
Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain the role of cryospheric change in the water cycle.
- AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Cryospheric change's regulatory role in sea levels
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Answer
Cryospheric change significantly influences sea levels, acting as a major storage component of water within the water cycle.
Step 2
Impact during cooling periods
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Answer
During periods of cooling, known as glacial periods, the cryosphere enlarges. This growth in size is essential as it slows down the water cycle considerably, effectively restricting the return of water to the sea and ocean due to the accumulation of ice.
Step 3
Effects of warming on the cryosphere
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Conversely, in a warming scenario, the cryosphere contributes to the water cycle by adding water back into it as ice melts. This process not only replenishes water in the sea but also impacts precipitation patterns.
Step 4
Changes in permafrost and ocean levels
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Answer
Additionally, alterations in the size of ocean store reserves due to melting ice result in increased water levels in the oceans, complemented by thermal expansion, further emphasizing the critical role of the cryosphere in the water cycle.
