Glaciers

Front

What is a glacier?

Back

A gigantic mass of moving ice that forms from accumulated snow over time.

Front

What happens when a glacier is experiencing more melting than snow accumulation?

Back

It is said to be in a period of shrinking glacier.

Front

Define plucking in the context of glaciers.

Back

Plucking is when rocks become frozen into the glacier and are 'plucked' out when the glacier moves.

Front

What type of glacier forms in mountainous areas?

Back

Alpine glaciers.

Front

What are moraines?

Back

Moraines are accumulations of debris (rocks and sediment) that have been transported and deposited by a glacier.

Front

What is the difference between alpine and continental glaciers?

Back

Alpine glaciers form in mountainous regions, while continental glaciers cover large areas of land and are not confined to valleys.

Front

What is glacial drift?

Back

Glacial drift refers to all the material (rock, sediment) that is transported and deposited by glaciers.

Front

What are kettle lakes?

Back

Kettle lakes are depressions left behind by melting ice blocks that were buried in sediment.

Front

What is an outwash plain?

Back

An outwash plain is a flat area formed by the sediment deposited by meltwater from a glacier.

Front

What is till?

Back

Till is unsorted glacial sediment that is deposited directly by a glacier.