(2) glaciated landscapes influenced by physical systems

• how does wind affect glaciated landscapes


  aeolian processes contribute to the shaping of glaciated landscapes through erosion, transportation and deposition, particularly acting upon fine material previously deposited by ice or meltwater
• how does precipitation affect glaciated landscapes


  a key factor in determining the glacier's mass balance, as it provides inputs in the form of snow, sleet and rain. in high latitudes, precipitation is lower, while at high altitudes it is higher
• how does temperature affect glaciated landscapes

  above 0 degrees, ice starts to melt and adds to outputs. high altitude areas experience this in the summer months. high latitude areas may never reach 0 degrees, so little melting occurs
• what is lithology


  the physical and chemical composition of rocks
• how does lithology affect glaciated landscapes


  rocks with a weak lithology will have little resistance to erosion, weathering and mass movement as the bonds are weak. rocks that are denser are highly resistant and are more likely to form glacial landforms.
• what is structure in geology


  the properties of rock types (e.g. jointing, bedding, faulting), including permeability
• how does rock structure affect glaciated landscapes


  porous, more permeable rocks are more prone to freeze thaw weathering and erosion
• what is latitude


  the distance a place is north of south of the equator
• how does latitude affect glaciated landscapes


  at high latitudes, climates will be cold and dry, with little seasonal variation in precipitation, while at lower latitudes, places with high altitudes are characterised by dynamic valley glaciers
• what is altitude


  height above sea level
• how does altitude affect glaciated landscapes


  at high altitudes, there is higher precipitation inputs, but more variable temperature, so more summer melting
• what is aspect


  the compass direction towards which a slope faces
• how does aspect affect glaciated landscapes


  if a slope faces away from the sun, temperatures remain below zero for longer so less solar energy is received and more melting occurs
• what is relief


  the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the land surface
• how does relief affect glaciated landscapes


  the steeper the landscape, the greater the resultant force of gravity and the more energy a glacier will have to move downslope