Problem 11 Distinguish among continental gl... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 23: Problem 11

Distinguish among continental glaciers, cirque glaciers, and valley glaciers.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Continental glaciers cover vast areas, cirque glaciers form in mountain depressions, and valley glaciers move down valleys.

Step by step solution

Understanding Continental Glaciers

Continental glaciers, also known as ice sheets, are massive ice bodies that cover large land areas and are not confined by topographical features. They spread out from their central mass and cover vast expanses, like those found in Antarctica and Greenland.

Recognizing Cirque Glaciers

Cirque glaciers are small glaciers that form in mountaintop basins or bowls. These glaciers are typically found in the hollows of mountainside depressions and are often the initial stage in glacier development, eventually feeding into larger glacier types if conditions permit.

Identifying Valley Glaciers

Valley glaciers are glaciers that flow down mountain valleys, often following the path of an existing river valley. Unlike cirque glaciers, they are longer and form as the cirque glaciers grow and move downhill due to gravity, shaping the landscape by carving valleys.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Continental Glaciers

A continental glacier is a substantial and expansive ice mass that spans over countries and even entire land masses. Unlike other types of glaciers, continental glaciers are not limited by surrounding terrain. They grow outward from a central, thick central area, spreading across the landscape. These glaciers cover large regions and can be many kilometers thick.

Examples include the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
These glaciers play a pivotal role in shaping the global climate and sea levels.

They move slowly but constantly, driven by the immense pressure of the ice above. The size of continental glaciers allows them to influence weather patterns and temperatures across the planet. These massive ice bodies are vital in the study of Earth's past climate, as they preserve information within their layers.

Cirque Glaciers

Cirque glaciers are smaller compared to their continental counterparts and are found high in mountainous regions. They form in natural depressions or bowl-shaped hollows on the side of mountains. This type of glacier is usually one of the earliest stages of atmospheric and precipitation conditions conducive to glacier formation.

Cirque glaciers are often found at the head of valley glaciers.
These glaciers are shaped by the terrain in which they form, creating circular patterns.

Due to their position and size, cirque glaciers are critical in understanding mountain ecosystems and their sensitivity to climatic changes. They can serve as indicators, showing how shifts in winter snowfall and summer temperatures affect glacier size and melt.

Valley Glaciers

Valley glaciers, unlike continental or cirque glaciers, primarily move through pre-existing river valleys. They are an evolution of cirque glaciers and occur when the latter expand and extend downslope due to gravitational pull. These glaciers are elongated and resemble rivers of ice flowing through mountain paths.

They contribute significantly to the shaping of mountain landscapes.
As they flow, valley glaciers carve out U-shaped valleys, unlike the V-shaped valleys formed by rivers.

Their movement is more visible than that of continental glaciers, and they can transport vast amounts of rock and debris, reshaping the terrain profoundly. Understanding valley glaciers helps in studying geological processes and predicting future changes in cold regions.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

91影视

Distinguish among continental glaciers, cirque glaciers, and valley glaciers.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Continental Glaciers

Recognizing Cirque Glaciers

Identifying Valley Glaciers

Key Concepts

Continental Glaciers

Cirque Glaciers

Valley Glaciers

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Force

Modern Physics

Electricity

Radiation

Conservation of Energy and Momentum

Quantum Physics

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.