Course material

1. 2 lab assignments 1
Complete the Two lab writes ups at the bottom of these assignments.1.Summarize the
relationship between accumulation and ablation over the course of a glacier.What
relationship between accumulation and ablation is necessary for glaciers to form? Howwill
the relationship between accumulation and ablation change between a glacier’s head
andits toe? How will it change between winter and summer?2.Compare and contrast the
Nabesna and Athabasca Glaciers. Identifyand describethreedimensions of climate which
cause the Nabesna Glacier to extend over a much larger distancethan the Athabasca Glacier.
(HINT: remember our framework ofclimate controls—howwill theyaffect the relationship
between accumulation and ablation?)3.In our video tour, we contrasted summer and
winter(or, at least, late–spring)views of theVictoria and Lefroy glaciers. Although snow
accumulates nearly everywhere during the wintermonths, in only a few areas does this
snow endure to form glaciers. What is special about theseareas of glacial formation?4.The
glaciers we examined in the Canadian Rockies all end at 6700–7500’elevation.
Whydoglaciers not extend below this altitude?(HINT: What effects will altitude have on
therelationship between accumulation and ablation?)5.What landforms indicate the
previous influenceof glaciationin the valleys below the Athabasca,Victoria, Lefroy, and Bow
Glaciers?6.What elements of the landscape near Georgetown, Colorado, indicate the
presence of glaciersin Colorado’s past? How can you tell thatthis glaciation took place in
the distant past, incontrast to the relatively recent glacial activity in the Canadian Rockies?