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Glacial Systems and Landscapes

Ice-Albedo and Negative Feedback

  • 4 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Recall questions on positive feedback and each step of the ice-albedo loop, and on negative feedback in which retreating ice exposes ocean water, increasing precipitation and snow accumulation and so affecting glacier mass.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define positive feedback in the context of a glacial system.

Key term

What surfaces are exposed when ice melts in the ice-albedo feedback process?

Key term

What is the final outcome of the ice-albedo positive feedback loop?

Key term

What happens to snow accumulation as a result of increased precipitation from exposed ocean water?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define positive feedback in the context of a glacial system.

    Model answer

    A process that amplifies an initial change, moving the system further from equilibrium.

  2. 2

    In ice-albedo feedback, what happens first to trigger the feedback loop?

    Model answer

    The ice surface melts.

  3. 3

    What surfaces are exposed when ice melts in the ice-albedo feedback process?

    Model answer

    Darker surfaces such as rock or water.

  4. 4

    Why does exposing darker surfaces accelerate melting in ice-albedo feedback?

    Model answer

    Darker surfaces have lower albedo, so they absorb more solar heat rather than reflecting it.

  5. 5

    What is the final outcome of the ice-albedo positive feedback loop?

    Model answer

    Accelerated melting of ice, amplifying the original change.

  6. 6

    Why does ice-albedo feedback represent a positive rather than negative feedback mechanism?

    Model answer

    Because it amplifies the initial change (melting leads to more melting) rather than counteracting it.

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