GLACIATION
- Glaciation doesn't feature in the OCR Syllabus, but if
it's on yours, then I suggest you check out the
GEOGRAPHY EXCHANGE page, which has some useful resources. Many of the
REVISION sites and general PORTAL pages such as GEOGRAPHY WORLD are likely to be
of use too.
- The Geography Exchange page includes a useful photographic tour of the
MER DE GLACE. GOOGLE would also provide images of any relevant features.
- Some of the links from my A2 COLD
ENVIRONMENTS page may also be suitable, although the level of detail and
terminology on some of the academic sites may be a little too much.
A year in the life of a Northern hemisphere glacier in
the Alps would have the following features:
January Glacier
covered in snowfall. No melting. Glacier mass increases. Snow mass increases.
May
Snowfall at altitude, and melting starting at the terminus. Snow mass increases.
Mass constant.
July
Melting occurring in all areas. Little snowfall. Snow mass decreases. Firn and
ice mass decreases. Total mass decreases.
August Late
snow falls, burying the summer surface. Ablation slows down. Snow mass increases
(new). Total mass still declining.
October Snow
falls. Some melting lower down. Total mass increases.

RETURN TO GCSE PAGE