Define a periglacial environment.

A periglacial environment is one at the margin of a glaciated area where the ground freezes and thaws intensely but is not covered by ice.

Permafrost is ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.

Distinguish continuous from discontinuous permafrost.

Continuous permafrost underlies the whole area to great depth, while discontinuous permafrost occurs in patches separated by unfrozen ground.

What is an ice lens, and what does it do to the ground surface?

An ice lens is a layer of segregated ice growing within the soil, and it heaves the surface upward as it expands.

Explain how frost heave sorts stones into patterned ground.

Freezing lifts larger stones towards the surface, and repeated cycles nudge them outwards from the centre of the heaving ground into rings, polygons or, on a slope, stripes.

WJEC A-Level Geography 601-8455-3

Coastal Landscapes

Glaciated Landscapes

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EcosystemsContemporary theme

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Economic Growth and Challenge: IndiaContemporary theme

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Economic Growth and Challenge: ChinaContemporary theme

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Development in an African ContextContemporary theme

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Glaciated Landscapes

Periglacial processes and ground ice

3 things to know
AS Unit 1

Overview

Periglacial environment, active layer and ice lens.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is a pingo?

Key term

Define permafrost.

Key term

What is the active layer?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Define a periglacial environment.
Model answer
A periglacial environment is one at the margin of a glaciated area where the ground freezes and thaws intensely but is not covered by ice.
2
Define permafrost.
Model answer
Permafrost is ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.
3
What is the active layer?
Model answer
The active layer is the surface layer of ground above permafrost that thaws each summer and refreezes each winter.
4
Distinguish continuous from discontinuous permafrost.
Model answer
Continuous permafrost underlies the whole area to great depth, while discontinuous permafrost occurs in patches separated by unfrozen ground.
5
What is an ice lens, and what does it do to the ground surface?
Model answer
An ice lens is a layer of segregated ice growing within the soil, and it heaves the surface upward as it expands.
6
Explain how frost heave sorts stones into patterned ground.
Model answer
Freezing lifts larger stones towards the surface, and repeated cycles nudge them outwards from the centre of the heaving ground into rings, polygons or, on a slope, stripes.

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