AQA · A-Level · Geography
Course version: 7037 · Version from Sept 2018
Warm and cold based glaciers: characteristics and development.
Full specification wording
Systems and processes: Warm and cold based glaciers: characteristics and development.
Glaciers are classified by their thermal regime into warm-based (temperate) and cold-based (polar) types.
Checked against the AQA 7037 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 6
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Glaciers are classified by their thermal regime into warm-based (temperate) and cold-based (polar) types. Warm-based glaciers develop in high-altitude temperate regions like the Alps. Their basal temperature is at or above the pressure melting point, allowing basal sliding and rapid movement (often 20 to 200 m per year), which drives significant erosion and transportation. Cold-based glaciers develop in high-latitude polar regions like Antarctica. Their basal temperature remains well below the pressure melting point, meaning they are frozen to the bedrock. Movement is slow (often less than 2 m per year) and occurs solely through internal deformation, resulting in minimal erosion. Polythermal glaciers exhibit characteristics of both regimes.
What earns the marks
- Explain the concept of the pressure melting point and how it dictates the thermal regime of a glacier.
- Describe the characteristics of warm-based glaciers, including basal temperatures at the pressure melting point, presence of meltwater, and rapid movement via basal sliding.
- Describe the characteristics of cold-based glaciers, including basal temperatures below the pressure melting point, lack of basal meltwater, and slow movement via internal deformation.
- Explain the development of these glaciers in relation to their geographical location, contrasting high-altitude temperate environments with high-latitude polar environments.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that cold-based glaciers do not move at all.
Put it right by explaining that they do move, but slowly, through internal deformation rather than basal sliding.
Assuming the pressure melting point is a constant 0 °C.
Put it right by explaining that the melting point of ice decreases as overlying pressure increases.
Confusing the geographical development zones.
Put it right by associating warm-based glaciers with high-altitude temperate regions and cold-based glaciers with high-latitude polar regions.
Exam tips
- Always link the thermal regime of a glacier to its dominant mechanism of movement (basal sliding versus internal deformation).
- Use the concept of the pressure melting point to explain why meltwater exists at the base of temperate glaciers despite sub-zero surface temperatures.
- Compare the erosional power of warm and cold-based glaciers to evaluate their impact on landscape development.
Try the lesson
The start of the Systems and processes: Warm and cold based glaciers: characteristics and development. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What is the defining characteristic of a cold-based glacier compared to a warm-based glacier?
Listen
Glaciers are classified by their thermal regime into warm-based (temperate) and cold-based (polar) types. Warm-based glaciers develop in high-altitude temperate regions like the Alps. Their basal temperature is at or above the pressure melting point, allowing basal sliding and rapid movement (often 20 to 200 m per year), which drives significant erosion and transportation. Cold-based glaciers develop in high-latitude polar regions like Antarctica. Their basal temperature remains well below the pressure melting point, meaning they are frozen to the bedrock. Movement is slow (often less than 2 m per year) and occurs solely through internal deformation, resulting in minimal erosion. Polythermal glaciers exhibit characteristics of both regimes. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the concept of the pressure melting point and how it dictates the thermal regime of a glacier. Describe the characteristics of warm-based glaciers, including basal temperatures at the pressure melting point, presence of meltwater, and rapid movement via basal sliding. Describe the characteristics of cold-based glaciers, including basal temperatures below the pressure melting point, lack of basal meltwater, and slow movement via internal deformation. Explain the development of these glaciers in relation to their geographical location, contrasting high-altitude temperate environments with high-latitude polar environments. A common slip: Stating that cold-based glaciers do not move at all. Instead, explaining that they do move, but slowly, through internal deformation rather than basal sliding. Exam tip: Always link the thermal regime of a glacier to its dominant mechanism of movement (basal sliding versus internal deformation).
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Thermal regimes
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Warm-based glaciers
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cold-based glaciers
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Pressure melting point
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Thermal regimes
- Glaciers are classified by this into warm-based (temperate) and cold-based (polar) types, with polythermal glaciers exhibiting characteristics of both.
- Warm-based glaciers
- These develop in high-altitude temperate regions like the Alps, with basal temperature at or above the pressure melting point, allowing basal sliding and rapid movement.
- Cold-based glaciers
- These develop in high-latitude polar regions like Antarctica, with basal temperature well below the pressure melting point, so they are frozen to the bedrock and move slowly through internal deformation.
- Pressure melting point
- The temperature at which ice melts, which decreases as overlying pressure increases.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Systems and processes: Warm and cold based glaciers: characteristics and development.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge