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Factors that influence glacial landscapes - Coggle Diagram
Factors that influence glacial landscapes
Climate
Wind
Able to carry out erosion,transportaiton and depostition
Aeolian process- particularly acts on fine material deposited by meltwater
Precipitation
Main input of snow, sleet and rain
Seasonal pattern can also be very variable (in Antarctica there is very little seasonal variation
Temperature
If temperatures rise above 0, accumulated snow will start to melt (becomes an output)
High altitude (temperatures might be above 0 for significant periods)
High latitude (temps may never rise above 0)
Geology
Lithology
Describes the physical and chemical composition of rocks
Strong Lithology
Basalt has a strong lithology as it is made of dense interlocking crystals- highly resistant more likely to form aretes and pyramidal peaks
Weak lithology
Clay has a weak lithology with little resistance to erosion, weathering and mass movements-bonds between particles are quite weak
Structure
Properties- jointing, bedding and faulting + permeability
Primary permeability- porous rock (chalk) can absorb and store water
Secondary permeability- water seeps in because of joints (and are easily enlarged by solution)
Latitude and altitude
High latitude locations 66.5N and S
Have cold, dry climates- little seasonal variation Glaciated landscapes tend to develop under the influence of large, stable ice sheets
Lower latitudes-dynamic valley glaciers-higher altitude
Much higher precipitation inputs but more Variable temperatures- more summer melting The decrease in temperature at higher altitudes allows glaciers to be found at low latitudes
Relief and aspect
Impact on microclimate and movement
Steeper the relief, greater the resultant force of gravity
More energy a glacier will have to move downslope
If the aspect of a slope faces away from the sun's general direction
Temperatures likely to remain below 0- no melting
Mass balance will therefore tend to be positive and the glacier advances
Glaciers with a positive masa balance are larger and have greater erosive power