the constant adjustments to the
amount of accumulation and the
amount of ablation
Accumulation
the net gain in an ice mass
and is dominant in the upper
part of the glacier. Examples
of this are snow, refreezing of
meltwater and avalanches
>ablation causes for a positive
mass balance, this means that the
glacier will be advancing
Ablation
the net loss of water from an ice
mass, this is dominant in the lower
part of the glacier. Examples of this
are melting, calving, evaporation and
sublimation
>accumulation causes for a
negative ass balance, this means
that the glacier will be retreating.
This tends to occur in the summer.
TYPES OF GLACIER
Cold Glaciers (Arctic and Antarctic)
HIGH latitude location
LOW relief
Temperature is
always below 0
basal temperature is
well below PMP
Movement of Cold Glaciers
Intergranual flow - Crystal
reorrientate themselves and move
in relation to eachother
Laminar flow - the
movement of individual
layers within the glacier
slide over eachother.
1-2cm a day
Temperature Glacier (Alps and Rockies)
HIGH Altitude
Areas of HIGH ACCUMULATION in the winter
Milder climate with summer melting
Movement of Temperature Glaciers
2-3m per day
Basal Slippage
It can represent 80% of Glacier movement. Most temperate glaciers
are at PMP at their base. Friction between the bedrock and the glacier
causes the temperature to increase, this means ice melts and the
water acts as a lubricant and causes the glacier to move.