Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
1. What is glacial retreat? Examine the causes of glacial retreat and its consequences on Earth’s cryosphere. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
Analysis of high-resolution satellite images for the years 2021-2022 found that Africa’s ice is disappearing, and the continent may lose its white peaks by the middle of the century.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about glacial retreat, its causes and consequences.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining glacial retreat.
Body:
First, write about the causes of glacial retreat – rising temperatures, an increase in the equilibrium line altitude (ELA), positive feedback mechanisms like ice-albedo feedback, meltwater runoff, and human-induced climate change.
Next, write about the consequences of above – loss of freshwater resources, impacts on ecosystems adapted to glacial environments, and contributions to rising sea levels.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to prevent it.
