Lesson plan
Snow patch
A snow patch, is a geomorphological pattern of snow and firn accumulation which lies on the surface for a longer time than other seasonal snow cover. Snow patches are known by a wide range of synonymous terms including snowpatches, snow beds, snow banks, and ice patches. Snowpatches are categorised by their longevity. Seasonal snowpatches melt prior to the return of the following winter's snowpack, semi-perennial snowpatches last occasionally to the following snowpack, while perennial snowpatches habitually last until the next winter's snowpack. Snow patches often start in sheltered places where both thermal and orographical conditions are favourable for the conservation of snow such as small existing depressions, gullies or other concave patterns. The main process that creates these accumulations is called nivation. It is a complex of processes that includes freeze–thaw action (weathering by the alternate freezing and melting of ice), mass movement (the downhill movement of substances under gravity), and erosion by meltwater which is the main agent of the surroundings' influence. There is high soil moisture around the snow patch that supports growing of specific vegetation. Snow patch vegetation is very distinctive. It is usually dominated by species that tolerate a shortened growing season and is predominantly herbaceous.…
Article summary
A snow patch, is a geomorphological pattern of snow and firn accumulation which lies on the surface for a longer time than other seasonal snow cover. Snow patches are known by a wide range of synonymous terms including snowpatches, snow beds, snow banks, and ice patches. Snowpatches are categorised by their longevity. Seasonal snowpatches melt prior to the return of the following winter's snowpack, semi-perennial snowpatches last occasionally to the following snowpack, while perennial snowpatches habitually last until the next winter's snowpack. Snow patches often start in sheltered places where both thermal and orographical conditions are favourable for the conservation of snow such as small existing depressions, gullies or other concave patterns. The main process that creates these accumulations is called nivation. It is a complex of processes that includes freeze–thaw action (weathering by the alternate freezing and melting of ice), mass movement (the downhill movement of substances under gravity), and erosion by meltwater which is the main agent of the surroundings' influence. There is high soil moisture around the snow patch that supports growing of specific vegetation. Snow patch vegetation is very distinctive. It is usually dominated by species that tolerate a shortened growing season and is predominantly herbaceous.…
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.