Theories of climate change:

•  Plate tectonics
• Volcanic activity
• Astronomical (eccentricity, obliquity, axial precession)

Human induced?

Changes in CO2 levels and other greenhouse gasses can lead to global warming

Zone of Accumulation

Snow gain > Snow loss

Zone of Ablation

glacier's lower end or area of loss

Firn

Grannular compacted snow

Erosion processes:

• Plucking (can cause rouche mountonee)
• Abrasion (can create glacial polish)

Continental glaciers

Ice sheets over 3000m thick

Degradational features:

• Polished and striated bedrock, lack of soil and regolith, scoured out depressions and valleys
• Glacial lakes (5 Great Lakes)

Aggradational features:

• Glacial drift
• Moraines
• Drumlin
• Kame
• Kettle or kettle lake
• Meltwater deposits
• Outwash plain
• Esker

Alpine glaciers

Glacier in a mountainous region

D. features of alpine glaciers

• Glacial valleys/trough
• Hanging valley
• Fjord
• Cirque
• Arete
• Horn
• Tarn

A. features of alpine glaciers

• Lateral moraine
• Medial moraine