Glacial processes

Outline processes which lead to the development of a corrie.

Figure 7a and Figure 7b are in the insert.

Figure 7a shows cumulative length change in selected Scandinavian glaciers, 1896–2016.

Figure 7b shows cumulative mass balance change in selected Scandinavian glaciers, 1960–2014.

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

Figure 8 is in the insert.

Figure 8 shows future challenges and opportunities in the Alps as the climate changes.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, evaluate opportunities for developing a sustainable future for this region.

With reference to one or more cold environments that you have studied, assess the potential impact of climate change on the development of landforms.

Outline the processes by which ice moves within a glacier.

Figure 7 shows the minimum extent of Arctic ice between 2002 and 2015. A standard deviation calculation has been started.

Space for working

Complete the table and standard deviation calculation in Figure 7 and evaluate the usefulness of the technique in analysing this data.

Figures 8a and 8b are in the insert.

Figure 8a shows trends in the onset of winter freeze-up in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding areas, 1979–2019.

Figure 8b shows the change in the age of ice in the Arctic Ocean, 1985–2019.

Using Figure 8a, Figure 8b and your own knowledge, assess the potential future for Arctic sea ice.

Analyse the relative importance of erosion and deposition in the development of fluvioglacial landscapes.

Outline processes leading to the formation of kames.

Figures 7a and 7b are in the insert.

Figure 7a shows the distribution, size and type of selected Himalayan glaciers.

Figure 7b shows the change in mass balance of the selected glaciers between 2000 and 2016.

Analyse the data shown in Figures 7a and 7b.

Figure 8 shows a glacial landscape feature, Striding Edge, in the Lake District National Park, England.

Note: Striding Edge runs for several kilometres from Helvellyn Peak (950 metres) in the west towards Ullswater in the east. To the north is Red Tarn, a large corrie lake. The predominant rock type is igneous and dates back to a period of vulcanicity around 450 million years ago.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the role of erosion in the development of this landscape feature.

‘Human activity is having a devastating impact upon cold environments with little evidence of a sustainable future emerging.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Outline processes by which glaciers erode the landscape.

Figure 7 is in the insert.

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

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 is an aerial photograph of a periglacial landscape in northern Canada.

Note: There are thousands of small, medium and large scale lakes in this region. This image was taken in early summer and much of the ice has yet to thaw. Local relief and other aspects of geomorphology determine the rate at which ice melts.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the relative importance of factors leading to the development of this landscape.

To what extent can an understanding of feedback systems help with the management of one or more cold environments that you have studied?

Outline the geomorphological process of nivation.

Figure 7 is in the insert.

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

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows an area of tundra vegetation in the Sajama National Park, Bolivia.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the view that temperature variation is the most significant factor in the development of this vegetation.

With reference to a glaciated landscape beyond the UK, assess the role of management in shaping alternative possible futures.

Explain the formation of rôches moutonnées.

Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are in the insert.

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.

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

Figure 8 shows a periglacial landscape near Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada.

Note: The aerial photograph was taken in late summer, near Tuktoyaktuk. It shows a largely flat area, in a coastal region near the Beaufort Sea in the Canadian Arctic. The mound in the image rises up to 36 metres above sea level. Local climate has had a powerful impact on the landscape, which is characterised by a high water table and the presence of numerous lakes.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the role of frost action in the development of this landscape.

With reference to a glaciated landscape from beyond the UK, assess the impact of human activity upon the natural systems and physical landscape.

Outline the process of internal deformation.

Figure 7 shows information about ground temperatures at the Endalen permafrost station in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Temperatures have been recorded in a 19-metre-deep borehole since September 2008.

Figure 7

[Graph of ground temperatures cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.]

Analyse the data shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows an image of the snout of the Thompson Glacier and surrounding landscape, Axel Heiberg Island, Canada.

Note: The Thompson Glacier emanates from the Mueller Ice Cap and is about 34 km long and 3 km wide in the ablation area. It is aligned almost precisely in a north–south direction. It advanced about 18 metres per year in the 1960s and 1970s. The rate of advance has decelerated since and was in the order of 11 metres per year in the period from 1977

to 2008.

Using Figure 8 and your own knowledge, assess the view that fluvioglacial depositional processes dominate in the development of this landscape.

‘Warming taking place in fragile cold environments is set to generate unprecedented impacts affecting both people and the physical environment.’

To what extent do you agree with this view?