Glaciers in a changing climate | Crash Course Cryosphere #3 | Summary and Q&A

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April 20, 2017
by
Simon Clark
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Glaciers in a changing climate | Crash Course Cryosphere #3

TL;DR

Glacial systems are affected by factors like accumulation and ablation, with climate change causing a shift in mass balance.

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Key Insights

  • πŸ₯Ά Glacial systems have an accumulation zone where ice and snow are gained, and an ablation zone where ice is lost.
  • πŸ«₯ The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) marks the boundary between the two zones and is crucial in determining if a glacier is advancing or retreating.
  • πŸ₯Ά Climate change can disrupt glacial systems by altering the balance between accumulation and ablation, leading to net loss of ice mass.
  • πŸ’± Monitoring glacial mass balance changes is essential in understanding the impact of climate change on glacial systems.
  • πŸ’† Various methods, such as direct measurement, hydrological methods, geodetic methods, and gravimetric methods, are used to monitor glacial mass balance changes.
  • ☺️ The ELA and changes in accumulation and ablation patterns have a significant impact on the size and behavior of glaciers.
  • πŸ’† Glacial systems are dynamic and respond to changes in climate, which affects their mass balance and overall stability.

Transcript

hi and welcome to crash course cryosphere I'm Simon I'm Tom and I'm gonna let Tom explain what he's doing this week because you're not gonna see very much of me thank you very much Simon yes this week we're looking at a bit more of mass balance and then linking mass balance to climate change don't worry there will be more of me in the future great ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the role of the accumulation zone in a glacial system?

The accumulation zone is where ice and snow are gained, typically at the head of the glacier. It is influenced by colder temperatures, more precipitation, and snow avalanching.

Q: How does the ELA impact glacial systems?

The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) is the boundary between the accumulation and ablation zones. If the ELA shifts, it can lead to changes in the size of the glacier, either advancing or retreating.

Q: How are glacial mass balance changes monitored?

Glacial mass balance changes can be monitored through direct measurement, hydrological methods, geodetic methods, and gravimetric methods. Each method has its own advantages and limitations.

Q: How does climate change affect glacial systems?

Climate change can impact glacial systems by increasing ablation through higher temperatures and changing accumulation patterns. This can result in a net loss of ice mass and a shift in the equilibrium of glacial systems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Glacial systems have an accumulation zone, where ice and snow are gained, and an ablation zone, where ice is lost.

  • The accumulation zone is usually at the head of the glacier, due to colder temperatures, more precipitation, and snow avalanching.

  • The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) marks the transition from the accumulation zone to the ablation zone, and is crucial in determining if a glacier is advancing or retreating.

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