3.1.4 Glacial systems and landscapes
Glaciated landscapes are dynamic environments in which landscapes continue to develop
though contemporary processes but which mainly reflect former climatic conditions
associated with the Pleistocene era. Many of these areas are increasingly referred to as
being fragile environments with important issues facing their biodiversity and sustainability.
About 18000 years ago, much of the Northern Hemisphere was plunged into an ice age. In
the UK, only southern Britain escaped being covered by ice. Scientists believe that this was
one of as many as 20 glacial periods – each one separated by a warmer inter-glacial.
Collectively, this period of time – lasting from 2 million years ago until about 8000 years ago
– is known as the Ice Age. Some people think that we may still be in the ‘Ice Age’, and that
the current warm period of a few thousand years is just another inter-glacial.
How to describe:
• Describe what is happening overall (trend)
• Use data as evidence (manipulate data)
• Pick out specifics (smallest/ least, greatest/ most)
• Anomalies/ exceptions
• Use scale/ compass points
Glaciated landscapes are dynamic environments in which landscapes continue to develop
though contemporary processes but which mainly reflect former climatic conditions
associated with the Pleistocene era. Many of these areas are increasingly referred to as
being fragile environments with important issues facing their biodiversity and sustainability.
About 18000 years ago, much of the Northern Hemisphere was plunged into an ice age. In
the UK, only southern Britain escaped being covered by ice. Scientists believe that this was
one of as many as 20 glacial periods – each one separated by a warmer inter-glacial.
Collectively, this period of time – lasting from 2 million years ago until about 8000 years ago
– is known as the Ice Age. Some people think that we may still be in the ‘Ice Age’, and that
the current warm period of a few thousand years is just another inter-glacial.
How to describe:
• Describe what is happening overall (trend)
• Use data as evidence (manipulate data)
• Pick out specifics (smallest/ least, greatest/ most)
• Anomalies/ exceptions
• Use scale/ compass points
