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Scree
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===Albedo (radiation reflection)=== The [[albedo]], or the ability of a material to reflect incoming radiation energy, is also an important quality to consider. Generally, the debris will have a lower albedo than the glacier ice it covers, and will thus reflect less incoming solar radiation. Instead, the debris will absorb radiation energy and transfer it through the cover layer to the debris-ice interface.{{cn |date= November 2024}} If the ice is covered by a relatively thin layer of debris (less than around 2 centimeters thick), the albedo effect is most important.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=östrem|first=Gunnar|date=January 1959|title=Ice Melting under a Thin Layer of Moraine, and the Existence of Ice Cores in Moraine Ridges|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20014422.1959.11907953|journal=Geografiska Annaler|language=en|volume=41|issue=4|pages=228–230|doi=10.1080/20014422.1959.11907953|issn=2001-4422|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As scree accumulates atop the glacier, the ice's albedo will begin to decrease. Instead, the glacier ice will absorb incoming solar radiation and transfer it to the upper surface of the ice. Then, the glacier ice begins to absorb the energy and uses it in the process of melting.{{cn |date= November 2024}} However, once the debris cover reaches 2 or more centimeters in thickness, the albedo effect begins to dissipate.<ref name=":4" /> Instead, the debris blanket will act to insulate the glacier, preventing incoming radiation from penetrating the scree and reaching the ice surface.<ref name=":4" /> In addition to rocky debris, thick snow cover can form an insulating blanket between the cold winter atmosphere and [[Subnivean climate|subnivean]] spaces in screes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wheeler|first=Ralph A.|date=June 1990|title=Spiders Are Spiders…|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199006000-00037|journal=Southern Medical Journal|volume=83|issue=6|pages=723|doi=10.1097/00007611-199006000-00037|pmid=2356505|issn=0038-4348|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As a result, soil, bedrock, and also [[Subterranean river| subterranean]] voids in screes do not freeze at high elevations.{{cn |date= November 2024}}
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