Nunatak

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File:Einzelne, bis zu 3000 Meter hohe Bergspitzen ragen aus dem südpolaren Eispanzer hervor (24327852733).jpg
Nunataks in Antarctica
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Cântaro Magro, Serra da Estrela, Portugal, formed as a nunatak during the last ice age and now exposed<ref name="Vieira"> Template:Cite book</ref>

A nunatak (from Inuit Template:Lang) is the summit or ridge of a mountain that protrudes from an ice field or glacier that otherwise covers most of the mountain or ridge. They often form natural pyramidal peaks. Isolated nunataks are also called glacial islands,<ref>Physical Geography: Hydrosphere, 2006, Template:ISBN, p. 114</ref> and smaller nunataks rounded by glacial action may be referred to as rognons.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The word is of Greenlandic origin<ref> Template:Cite web</ref> and has been used in English since the 1870s.

Description

The term nunatak is typically used in areas where a permanent ice sheet is present and the ridge protrudes above the sheet.<ref name="Zeeberg">J. J. Zeeberg, Climate and Glacial History of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, Russian Arctic. pp. 82–84</ref> Nunataks present readily identifiable landmark reference points in glaciers or ice caps and are often named. While some are isolated, they can also form dense clusters, such as Queen Louise Land in Greenland.<ref name="mapcartaQL">Template:Cite web</ref>

Nunataks are generally angular and jagged, hampering the formation of glacial ice on their tops, although snow can accumulate on them. This can contrast strongly with the softer contours of the glacially eroded land after a glacier retreats. They are not greatly affected by frost weathering, given the low frequency of freeze-thaw cycles in areas of ice caps and ice sheets.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Page needed

Typically nunataks are the only places where plant life can survive on ice sheets or ice caps. Lifeforms on nunataks are often isolated by the surrounding ice or glacier, providing unique habitats.<ref name="NG">Template:Cite web</ref>

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See also

References

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