Which feedback effect accelerates cirque formation in alpine regions with seasonal snow cover?

💡 Explanation

When freeze-thaw cycles occur around a cirque, frost wedging intensifies because water expands upon freezing, fracturing rocks. This increases sediment available for glacial erosion, ultimately accelerating the cirque formation. Therefore freeze-thaw amplification is correct, rather than albedo changes, permafrost expansion, or vegetation growth, which inhibit erosion.

• Which mechanism explains stream channel pattern changes when base level significantly drops due to rapid tectonic uplift?
• Which mineral accumulation occurs due to prolonged groundwater evaporation?
• Which risk increases as floodplain development restricts space allowing for proper river levee maintenance and inspection?
• Which landscape outcome results in arid regions with coalescing alluvial fans?
• Which climate outcome is amplified when deforestation reduces transpiration within a Hadley cell?
• Which topographic consequence results when regions experience long-term permafrost thaw?