Glaciers

Front

What is a glacier?

Back

A large mass of ice that forms from compacted snow and moves slowly over land.

Front

What is a U-shaped valley?

Back

A valley formed by the erosion of a glacier, characterized by its U-shaped profile.

Front

What causes glaciers to move?

Back

Gravity causes glaciers to move downhill.

Front

What are aretes?

Back

Jagged ridges that form on mountains as a result of glacial erosion.

Front

What type of glacier is found in mountainous areas?

Back

Alpine glaciers.

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, such as ice sheets.

Front

What is glacial till?

Back

Unsorted sediment deposited directly by a glacier.

Front

What are moraines?

Back

Accumulations of debris (till) that have been pushed along by a glacier.

Front

What is a cirque?

Back

A bowl-shaped depression formed by glacial erosion at the head of a valley.

Front

What is an esker?

Back

A long, winding ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater streams flowing beneath a glacier.