1
Q
Outline the global distribution of alpine cold environments. 4 marks
A
- High altitudes in mountainous areas
- Most found in the Northern hemisphere
- West and East coast of USA
- Alps in France is an example - Central Europe
2
Q
Describe the landforms resulting from glacial erosion shown in Figure 3. 4 marks
A
Corries;
- Steep backwall
- Have snow/ice in
Aretes;
- Narrow ridges
3
Q
Choose one of the landforms of glacial erosion shown in Figure 3. Name the landform and explain its formation.
Name of landform. 7 marks
A
- Corries
- Snow falls in hollows as firn as become compressed so air is removed forming ice
- They form best on the North/north east facing slopes in the northern hemisphere due to aspect
- Due to gravity ice moves downhill
- Ice frozen to the back wall plucks rock out which causes its steepness = armchair structure
- Material plucked away abrades the hollow causing it to get bigger
- Jagged rock left behind - freeze-thaw weathering which is where water gets into cracks and freezes and melts continuously
4
Q
explain how ice moves by basal sliding. 5 marks
A
- Base of the warm based glacier has a temperature of – 2 °C and that this is synonymous with the PMP
- Weight of overlying ice causes some ice to melt, even though temperatures are below freezing
- Movement causes friction, enhancing melting
- This encourages the ice to move as it is not frozen to its base and the presence of water acts as a lubricant
- Obstacles overcome by creep or regulation slip
