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1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a
System
Topic Physical - Glaciated Landscapes
1.1 Glaciated Landscapes can be Viewed
as a System
A conceptual overview of:
the components of glaciated landscape systems, including inputs,
processes
and outputs
the flows of energy and material through glaciated systems
glacier mass balance
Systems Concept
Glaciated landscapes operate as open systems: inputs, processes,
outputs.
Inputs:
Snow
Ice
Rain
Debris (from weathering/erosion)
Energy (solar radiation, gravity)
Processes:
Accumulation
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 1
, Ablation
Erosion
Transportation
Deposition
Outputs:
Meltwater
Sediment
Ice loss
Evaporated water
Flows of Energy
Solar radiation drives melting and sublimation.
Gravitational potential energy drives ice movement downslope.
Geothermal heat influences basal melting (especially in warm-based
glaciers).
Kinetic energy from moving ice and meltwater contributes to erosion.
Flows of Material
Snowfall → firn → glacial ice (compaction and recrystallisation).
Debris entrainment: rock material incorporated into ice.
Sediment transport: supraglacial, englacial, subglacial.
Deposition: moraines, till, outwash plains.
Glacier Mass Balance
Balance between accumulation (input) and ablation (output).
Positive mass balance: glacier advances.
Negative mass balance: glacier retreats.
Equilibrium line (ELA): altitude where accumulation = ablation).
Sensitive indicator of climate change.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 2
, 1.2 Glaciated Landscapes are Influenced
by a Range of Physical Factors
Potential influences on glaciated landscape systems of:
climate, including precipitation totals and patterns
geology, including lithology and structure
latitude and altitude
relief and aspect on microclimate and glacier movement.
Climate
Precipitation totals: high snowfall = greater accumulation.
Seasonal patterns: winter accumulation vs summer ablation.
Temperature: controls melting, sublimation and glacier type (warm vs cold-
based).
Geology
Lithology: softer rocks (e.g. clay, shale) erode faster than hard rocks (e.g.
granite).
Structure: faults, joints, bedding planes influence erosion rates and
landform development.
Permeable vs impermeable rocks affect meltwater drainage.
Latitude and Altitude
High latitudes: cold-based glaciers, polar environments.
High altitudes: valley glaciers in mountain ranges.
Latitude affects solar radiation intensity; altitude affects temperature lapse
rate (6.5°C per 1000m).
Relief and Aspect
Steep relief: faster ice movement, more erosion.
Aspect: north-facing slopes (in Northern Hemisphere) receive less solar
radiation → more accumulation.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 3
, Microclimate variations influence glacier size and dynamics.
1.3 Different Types of Glacier and Glacier
Movement
The characteristics of different types of glacier and their movement,
including:
the formation of glacier ice
valley glaciers and ice sheets
warm-based and cold-based glaciers
basal sliding and internal deformation.
Formation of Glacier Ice
Snow compacts → firn → glacial ice (over years/decades).
Air content decreases; ice becomes dense and crystalline.
Types of Glacier
Valley glaciers: confined to mountain valleys, smaller scale.
Ice sheets: continental-scale, >50,000 square kilometres (e.g. Antarctica,
Greenland).
Ice caps: smaller domed ice masses covering uplands (<50,000 square
kilometres).
Thermal Regimes
Warm-based glaciers:
Meltwater at base → basal sliding.
Found in temperate regions.
High erosion potential.
Cold-based glaciers:
Frozen to bedrock, little/no basal sliding.
Found in polar regions.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 4
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a
System
Topic Physical - Glaciated Landscapes
1.1 Glaciated Landscapes can be Viewed
as a System
A conceptual overview of:
the components of glaciated landscape systems, including inputs,
processes
and outputs
the flows of energy and material through glaciated systems
glacier mass balance
Systems Concept
Glaciated landscapes operate as open systems: inputs, processes,
outputs.
Inputs:
Snow
Ice
Rain
Debris (from weathering/erosion)
Energy (solar radiation, gravity)
Processes:
Accumulation
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 1
, Ablation
Erosion
Transportation
Deposition
Outputs:
Meltwater
Sediment
Ice loss
Evaporated water
Flows of Energy
Solar radiation drives melting and sublimation.
Gravitational potential energy drives ice movement downslope.
Geothermal heat influences basal melting (especially in warm-based
glaciers).
Kinetic energy from moving ice and meltwater contributes to erosion.
Flows of Material
Snowfall → firn → glacial ice (compaction and recrystallisation).
Debris entrainment: rock material incorporated into ice.
Sediment transport: supraglacial, englacial, subglacial.
Deposition: moraines, till, outwash plains.
Glacier Mass Balance
Balance between accumulation (input) and ablation (output).
Positive mass balance: glacier advances.
Negative mass balance: glacier retreats.
Equilibrium line (ELA): altitude where accumulation = ablation).
Sensitive indicator of climate change.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 2
, 1.2 Glaciated Landscapes are Influenced
by a Range of Physical Factors
Potential influences on glaciated landscape systems of:
climate, including precipitation totals and patterns
geology, including lithology and structure
latitude and altitude
relief and aspect on microclimate and glacier movement.
Climate
Precipitation totals: high snowfall = greater accumulation.
Seasonal patterns: winter accumulation vs summer ablation.
Temperature: controls melting, sublimation and glacier type (warm vs cold-
based).
Geology
Lithology: softer rocks (e.g. clay, shale) erode faster than hard rocks (e.g.
granite).
Structure: faults, joints, bedding planes influence erosion rates and
landform development.
Permeable vs impermeable rocks affect meltwater drainage.
Latitude and Altitude
High latitudes: cold-based glaciers, polar environments.
High altitudes: valley glaciers in mountain ranges.
Latitude affects solar radiation intensity; altitude affects temperature lapse
rate (6.5°C per 1000m).
Relief and Aspect
Steep relief: faster ice movement, more erosion.
Aspect: north-facing slopes (in Northern Hemisphere) receive less solar
radiation → more accumulation.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 3
, Microclimate variations influence glacier size and dynamics.
1.3 Different Types of Glacier and Glacier
Movement
The characteristics of different types of glacier and their movement,
including:
the formation of glacier ice
valley glaciers and ice sheets
warm-based and cold-based glaciers
basal sliding and internal deformation.
Formation of Glacier Ice
Snow compacts → firn → glacial ice (over years/decades).
Air content decreases; ice becomes dense and crystalline.
Types of Glacier
Valley glaciers: confined to mountain valleys, smaller scale.
Ice sheets: continental-scale, >50,000 square kilometres (e.g. Antarctica,
Greenland).
Ice caps: smaller domed ice masses covering uplands (<50,000 square
kilometres).
Thermal Regimes
Warm-based glaciers:
Meltwater at base → basal sliding.
Found in temperate regions.
High erosion potential.
Cold-based glaciers:
Frozen to bedrock, little/no basal sliding.
Found in polar regions.
1.1.1 Glaciated Landscapes as a System 4
