Glacial and Fluvioglacial Sediment Characteristics

Question Notes for answerKey terms to

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Describe and explain, with the aid of annotated diagrams, the formation of the main features of glacial erosion in the Lake District or any other glaciated upland area which you have studied.

With reference to an upland area you have studied, explain the social and economic opportunities created by the landscape.

For an upland area you have studied:

a) Explain the environmental conflicts that may occur due to an influx of visitors. (You should refer to specific named examples within your chosen area)

b) For one of the conflicts explained in part (i), describe the solutions to this conflict and comment on their effectiveness.

Additional Global Warming Notes Rising global temperatures represent the biggest threat to ice masses because;

• Higher temperatures lead to negative mass balances and shrinking glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets

• Periglacial areas will experience melting permafrost and dramatic changes to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the tundra

In human terms, the biggest consequence of these changes is likely to be an alteration to the hydrological cycle. In many parts of the world people depend on glacial meltwater for their water supply,. In the Peruvian Andes some 30% of water comes from this source. As glaciers shrink, so may the water supply. However, this may be many decades away because increased meting could temporarily increase supply. There are other possible consequences:

• Increased flood risk if summer ice melt spikes because of extreme heat conditions and causes increases in river discharge.

• Low meltwater levels limiting HEP dam operation

• Low meltwater levels failing to flush rivers clean, leading to higher concentrations of pollution and lower water quality.

• Changes in the sediment yield of glacial meltwater streams- either becoming choked with excess sediment because of low flow (and increasing the risk of flooding) or dramatically rising during melting and outburst events risking lives and property.

(River discharge= the volume of water flowing down a river, ususally measured in cubic metres per second, known as cumecs)

(Sediment yield= the volume and type of sediment carried by a river at any one time)