|
|
Dictionary definition: accumulation
- Article from:
- A Dictionary of Geography
- Author:
Copyright© A Dictionary of Geography 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information)
|
accumulation
1.
The input of ice to a glacier. Observations from the Decade glacier, Baffin Island, suggest that accumulation is greatest in shaded upland areas. The
accumulation zone
, or
accumulation sub‐system
, is that part of a glacier between the
firn line
and the source where the input of snow, firn, and ice exceeds losses by
ablation
. The lower limit of the accumulation zone is at the
equilibrium line
.
2.
The reinvestment of surplus value, in the form of capital, in order to increase that capital. Accumulation is a key feature of
capitalism
because, in order to remain in business, the capitalist has not only to preserve the value of the capital raised but also to add to the ...