Melting and transport | Crash Course Cryosphere #7

TL;DR

Learn about the intricate process of how water moves within glaciers and the effects of climate change on glaciers.

Transcript

hi and welcome to crash course cryosphere I'm Simon I'm Tom and Tom's going to be hogging the Limelight this week and doing all the science we've been looking at melt and transport whereas I am going to be doing a whole bunch of interviews with people here from the Scott po Research Institute talking about what they do for a living we have covered ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 The majority of water in glaciers comes from surface melt and rainfall, providing both water and energy to the glacier.
• 💦 Water can move on the surface of a glacier through various mechanisms, including Fern, channels, and lakes.
• 🥺 Changes in climate and precipitation patterns can lead to rapid feedback in the behavior of glaciers.
• 🐻‍❄️ Precise measurements in the polar regions are essential for navigation and monitoring.
• 🛰️ Remote sensing, such as satellite images, is a valuable tool for monitoring the Earth's surface, including the cryosphere.
• ✋ Industrial pollution can have a significant impact on high latitude vegetation in regions like Russia.
• 👻 LIDAR technology has allowed for unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution of glacial change.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does water enter a glacier?

Water enters a glacier through holes in its surface, such as Fern, channels, or lakes.

Q: Can water flow uphill in a glacier?

Yes, water can flow uphill in a glacier due to the modification of hydraulic potential by the weight of the ice above.

Q: How quickly can lakes on a glacier appear and drain?

Lakes on a glacier can form rapidly due to high energy flux, such as sunny weather, and can drain quickly as fractures open up and channels are formed.

Q: Why is the rapid connection of channels in glaciers important?

The rapid connection of channels in glaciers allows water to be delivered to the bed quickly, which is a key factor in glacial flow and the response of glaciers to climate change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Most of the water in a glacial system comes from surface melt and rainfall, which both contribute to the energy and water balance of the glacier.

• Water can move on the surface of a glacier through Fern (consolidated snow), channels, and lakes, with channels and lakes having the ability to form and disappear rapidly.

• Inside the glacier, water can flow through englacial channels formed by surface channels, hydraulic exploitation of pre-existing crevasses, and the exploitation of permobil structures. These channels can also close rapidly due to ice overburden pressure, lack of flow, or sediment backfilling.