Lab 1 – Glaciers and Erosion
Glaciers are agents of erosion for sediments in colder climates. By expanding, the glaciers move sediments and then deposit them upon melting. It is speculated New York’s Long Island was deposited by melting glaciers over time. Glacier growth and thickness depends on temperature and snowfall. More snowfall and lower temperatures cause glaciers to expand. On the other hand, less snowfall means glacier grow more slowly and higher temperatures cause glaciers to melt and thin out.
For this exercise, run the following simulation:
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/cheerpj/glaciers/latest/glaciers.html?simulation=glaciers
Change the temperature and average snowfall variables and observe the effects on the glacier. You can use the “advanced” tab to create graphs that measure the effects of various factors over time. You can also use the “toolbox” items to measure temperature and other variables at various positions in the scene.
Then please answer the following 4 questions in 1-2 paragraphs each (note: although you are using this simulation, outside research may also be helpful in answering these questions):
What is meant by “glacial budget”? What are the impacts of temperature and snowfall on the glacial budget?
Based on your observations of the simulations, what is the impact of elevation on glacial budgets? Explain why this is true.
Assuming that you could not see the top part of the diagram (how far the glacier goes), which “tool” could you use to measure the “health” of the glacier? Explain how it works.
Assuming you have good conditions for expanding the glacier, what will happen to dirt particles on the mountain near the glacier? Explain.
Please note that your browser needs to run Java for you to use the simulation if your browser is having trouble doing so, it is probably because Java is not enabled or your browser is blocking it. Please see this article:
https://java.com/en/download/help/enable_panel.xml
