Key Terms: The nature & distribution of cold environments (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Past cold environments - key terms

Glacial maximum – The period during the Pleistocene epoch when ice sheets reached their maximum extent, about 21,000 years ago.

Glacier retreat – The process where glaciers lose more mass (ablation) than they gain (accumulation), causing them to shrink.

Interglacial period – A warmer phase between glacial periods when ice sheets retreat and sea levels rise.

Pleistocene epoch – A geological time period from around 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, characterised by repeated glacial and interglacial cycles.

Snowline – The lowest elevation area where snow remains year-round.

Present day distribution - key terms

Active layer – The top layer of permafrost that thaws in summer and refreezes in winter, allowing limited biological activity and vegetation growth.

Alpine environment – A cold environment found at high altitudes (usually above 3,000m) with seasonal snow cover and glacial processes, regardless of latitude.

Arctic Circle – A line of latitude at approximately 66° North; often used to define the boundary of the Arctic polar region.

Cold environment – A region characterised by low temperatures, limited vegetation, and often the presence of ice or permafrost.

Glacial environment – A cold environment where glaciers are present throughout the year, often at high latitudes or altitudes.

Ice cap – A mass of ice covering less than 50,000 km², usually found in mountainous or polar regions.

Ice sheet – A vast expanse of glacial ice covering more than 50,000 km², such as in Antarctica or Greenland.

Isotherm – A line on a map connecting points with equal temperature; used to define polar boundaries (e.g. the 10°C July isotherm in the Arctic).

Nunatak – A mountain peak or ridge that protrudes above an ice sheet or glacier.

Outwash plain – A flat area formed by meltwater streams spreading and depositing sediments beyond the glacier.

Periglacial environment – A cold, often tundra-like region near glacial areas, characterised by permafrost and seasonal freeze–thaw activity.

Polar environment – A region at high latitude with permanent ice cover, extremely cold temperatures, and minimal vegetation.

Talík – A layer of unfrozen ground within or beneath permafrost, often created by latent heat or insulation.

Tectonic uplift – The geological process of land rising due to tectonic forces, influencing the formation of alpine cold environments.

Tundra – A cold, treeless region with permafrost and a short growing season; often found in Arctic and periglacial zones.

Characteristics of cold environment - key terms

Braided river – A river that splits into multiple channels separated by sediment bars, commonly found on outwash plains near glaciers.

Cirque basin – A bowl-shaped depression in mountainous areas formed by glacial erosion, often the origin of cirque glaciers.

Fallout pathway – The transfer of nutrients from vegetation to soil via dead organic material, such as leaves or animal remains.

Landscape – The visible physical features of an area, shaped by climate, geology, and processes such as erosion or glaciation.

Leaching – The process by which water removes dissolved nutrients from the soil, often reducing fertility.

Mosses and lichens – Hardy, low-growing plants that dominate vegetation in polar and periglacial areas due to their tolerance of extreme cold and poor soils.

Precipitation – Any form of water (e.g., snow, rain) falling from the atmosphere to the ground; often limited in cold environments.

Runoff – Water that flows over the surface, often carrying nutrients and sediment; limited in frozen landscapes.

Vegetation adaptation – Special traits in plants, such as waxy leaves or compact growth, that allow survival in harsh cold climates.

Weathering – The breakdown of rocks at Earth’s surface by physical or chemical processes, often slowed in cold environments due to limited moisture and biological activity.