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1.9 Ilulisat Glacier Data

Last updated over 3 years ago
39 questions

Essential Question

Where are all the places the glacier could be melting?

Assessment Learning Targets: HS-ESS2-4. Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.


HS-PS3-4. Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).
Learning Target
I can analyze land, air, and water data to explain sites of possible ice melt along the Illulisat Glacier.
Explore- Analyzing Data (Parts 1-3)

Guided Instruction- Particle Simulation (Part 4)

Work on this individually or with a partner.

EXPLORE- PART 1 WATER DATA

(15-20 min)

HS-ESS2-4
Graph 1:
Passage 1:
The water circulating close around the Greenland Ice Sheet is like a cold river floating atop a warm, salty ocean. The top 600 feet (200 meters) of colder water is relatively fresh and comes from the Arctic. Below that is saltwater from the south, 3 to 4 degrees Celsius warmer than the fresher water above. The layers don't mix much because freshwater weighs less than saltwater, so it stays afloat.

Diagram 1: This diagram shows an ice sheet that can form above the shallow bay during colder months of the year.


Passage 2:
If a glacier reaches the ocean where the seafloor is shallow, the ice interacts with frigid freshwater and melts slowly. Conversely, if the seafloor in front of a glacier is deep, the ice spills into the warm subsurface layer of saltwater and may melt relatively rapidly. Satellite remote sensing can't see below the surface to discern the depth of the seafloor or study the layers of water. OMG makes these measurements with shipboard and airborne instruments.


Diagram 2: This diagram shows an ice sheet and glacier located near a deep ocean layer (basin).
1

If working with a partner on one computer, record both of your names in this question!

Look at the title of graph 1, what is this graph showing?

The graph shows...

1

What patterns do you notice about how temperature changes throughout the year?


One pattern I notice is....

The water temperature is _________ during _______ months and is _________ during ______ months

1

During which month(s) is the surface water frozen or an ice layer?

1

Read passage 1 and Diagram 1 to the left in order to answer this question.

Why do the freshwater and salt water not mix causing an ice sheet to form above a shallow area of an ocean?

1

Read Passage 2 and Diagram 2 to the left in order to answer this question.

How does the ice from a glacier or surface ice sheet interact differently in shallow saltwater versus deep salt water? Choose all that appply.

1

Looking back at our design solution above. The glacier and icefjord is located above and next to deep ocean water.

Why is this a location that scientists and engineers are concerned about?

EXPLORE-PART 2 LAND DATA

(15-20 min)

Land Data

Contrasting temperature trends across the ice-free part of Greenland

Recent temperature trends in Greenland vary significantly between seasons and regions and that data with resolutions down to single km2 are critical to map temperature changes for guidance of further local studies and decision-making.






1

Use

1

Slide H shows the population density or how many people live in a certain area for our three communities. What could you do to calculate the population density?

1

Calculate the population density for Location A. (Louisiana)

1

Calculate the population density for Location B (Panama)

1

Calculate the population density for Location C (India)

1

How does knowing the population density of each community help us to better understand the problem and how to best support these communities?

Population density can help us understand the problem by…
Population density is useful when considering…

1

Is there any other information we should consider when trying to help communities large or small?

Something to consider is...

EXPLORE-2 (15-20minutes)

Where is water located on Earth?

Sea level rise is an issue in all these communities. Read the slide to see how scientists have measured changes in sea level over time.
1

What do you notice about the graph?

The x-axis shows...
The y-axis shows...
The slope of the graph shows...

1

What do you predict that you'll see in the data 20 years from now?

In 20 years I'd expect sea level to _____ compared to today

1

Watch this animation of the Earth rotating.

Where is water located on Earth? Where is most of the water? What are other sources not seen on this animation?

Water is located...
Most water is...
Other sources of water could be...

1

What do you notice about Earth's hydrosphere? Where is water located? Where is most of the water, least of the water? (Use specific evidence from the graph)

I notice that...
Water is located in...
The most water is in...
The least water is in...

1

Where is most ice found on Earth?

1

If ice is contributing to sea level rise over time, what do you think you would see change if you could watch the ice?

I think I would see..
One change over time could be...

1

Watch the video of the Earth. What do you notice about how the Arctic (North Pole) ice is changing over time?

The ice is changing by...
I can see that...
The red graph line shows...

GUIDED INSTRUCTION-2

15-20 MINUTES

How is ice changing at both poles? Is there a difference between sea vs. land ice?

Watch this video of damage along the Northeast from hurricane Ida
1

What do you think? Could ice melt at the North and South Poles contribute to these storms?

The graph shows Changes in sea ice at each pole during the summer months.
Sea ice is ice located in glaciers within the ocean.
1

What does the blue line represent?

1

What does the red line represent?

1

This graph represents Sea Ice Changes at the two Poles.

What do you notice about the graph? (Any patterns or trends? Similarities and Differences between Arctic and Antarctic etc.)

I noticed that...
One pattern is..
The two graphs are similar because...
One difference between the two graphs is...

1

What do the colors represent on each land mass? Choose all that apply.

Watch this video showing changes in land ice from 2002-2016. This video and graphs represent land ice changes in both Greenland (North Pole) and Antarctica (South Pole).

Land ice is ice located on the land and not in the ocean.
1

Based on the video and images, what is true about the colors on the key? Choose all that apply

1

What patterns/trends do you notice in the changes in mass of ice over time? What are similarties and differences between ice mass loss in Greenland versus the Antarctic?

I notice that...
One patterns is...
One similarity is...
One difference is...

1

Compare land ice changes at each Pole? Greenland vs. Antarctica Choose all that apply

1

Explain your reasoning for question 27 using two pieces of evidence.

One piece of evidence is...
Another piece of evidence is...

1

Record 1-2 questions about the data.

1

Look back at Slide U (sea ice) and Slides V and W (land ice).

Compare sea ice to land ice. What do you notice? What do you wonder?

Sea ice is... compared to land ice...

I notice that...

I wonder about..

1

What could be a reason for differences in land and sea ice between the two Poles? (Greenland vs. Antarctica)

One reason for a difference between the poles could be...

The North Pole might have...ice than the South Pole because...

1

In general, what would you claim is happening to the average rate of rise in sea level over time?

1

Reflection: How would you rate yourself on how you performed your group role?

1

What is one thing that you can improve upon in using your group role?

1

How would you rate the collaboration in general from your group?

1

What is one way your group can improve working together?

1

What is one thing you GOT from the Explore 2 and Guided Instruction 2

- Something you understand or think you could explain to someone else

1

What is one Need, or question(s) you have? List specific question(s) you want to review as a class.