Loss of ice and snow cover is a logical consequence of rising temperatures and i

Question

Loss of ice and snow cover is a logical consequence of rising temperatures and it might seem like an innocuous outcome (who wants ice and snow around anyway?). But there are two important negative outcomes from this loss. One is that many of the world's rivers are fed by the seasonal melting of snow and ice and therefore water supplies are threatened by snow and ice loss. The other negative outcome is more subtle. Discuss the concept of feedback mechanisms and what kind of feedback mechanism might be taking place on a global scale in relation to the earth's average albedo, as snow and ice cover shrinks.

Explanation / Answer

As the snow and ice cover shrinks, the rock surfaces beneath snow and ice are exposed to the solar radiation.

Rocks absorb more heat and as a result more ice and snow will disappear exposing more of the surface of the rock. The rocks absorb more heat leading to the disappearance of more ice and snow.This is a positive feedback cycle.This leads to continuous disappearance of more ice and snow.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse L
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.