Author Question: The Little Ice Age likely resulted from A) changes in Earth's orbital shape (eccentricity). B) ... (Read 108 times)

mia · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

The Little Ice Age likely resulted from

A) changes in Earth's orbital shape (eccentricity).
B) the Pleistocene megafauna extinction.
C) a cooling of the Gulf Stream from rapid glacial melt in Greenland.
D) changes in Earth's axial tilt (obliquity).
E) volcanic activity and multiyear changes in global circulation.

Question 2

Describe the process of glacial movement.

What will be an ideal response?

234sdffa · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

E

Answer to Question 2

Glacial ice behaves as a plastic; it distorts and flows in its underlying portions in response to the weight and pressure of the overlying snow and the degree of slope upon which it resides. The rate of flow varies from very little flow to several kilometers per year. The greatest movement within a valley glacier occurs internallybelow the rigid surface layer. The base creeps and slides along, with varying speeds depending on temperature and the presence of lubricating water beneath the ice. This is slower than the internal flow, though, so the upper portion flows ahead of the lower portion. Glaciers may also advance more rapidly (albeit still slowly) via a glacier surge. A glacier surge may result from the buildup of water pressure under the glacier or due to a soft bed (a layer of water saturated sediment under the glacier).