GEOG 2050 Chapter : Geog 2051 Chapter 17 And 19
Document Summary
Snowline- lowest elevation where snow can survive year-round. Snow that survives the summer and into the winter undergoes a transformation into glacial ice. During the transition into glacial ice, the snow becomes firn, which means compact and a grainy texture. Accumulation zone- where snowfall and moisture feed the glaciers upper reaches. This area ends at firn line where the ice is reduced through many processes, the loss of the ice is called: ablation. Equilibrium line- is the zone where accumulation gain balances ablation loss. Glaciers are not rigid blocks that just slide downhill. The greatest movement occurs internally, below the riding surface layer. At that time, the base creeps and slides along as well, varying its speed and temperature. The basal slip is slower than the internal flow. Glacier surge- little or no warning of a glacier fall. The passing glacier plucks rock material as it moves and carries it away.
