Glaciation

Glaciation= the formation of glaciers and the

process by which they shape the landscapes
 Formation
• Last ice age retreated
10,000 years ago, now in
inter glacial period.
• A glacier occurs when the
snow accumulation is
greater than the rate of
melting.
• Glaciers are slow moving
rivers of ice that form in
 Movement
• As the ice gets heavier the
weight causes it to slide
down hill, under the force of
gravity, average 2m a day.
• This causes friction beneath
the ice which melts a thin
layer.
• The resulting meltwater acts
 Processes
• Freeze thaw- a form of weathering,
water freezing in cracks of the
rock puts stress on the rock. This
continued expansion and
contraction loosens the surface
layer of rock
• Abrasion- ice scoops up debris as it
moves and scratches away the
side and floor of the valley
• Plucking- the ice melts and freezes
around the rock then when the
 Landforms
• The formation of a corrie- deep circular
hollows near mountain top. Formed by
snow collecting in hollows which compacts
and turns to ice. This ice moves down hill
under weight and the combined action of
freeze thaw, abrasion and plucking
steepens corrie sides and deepens the
floor.
•
• A lip forms at the edge of the corrie where
erosion slows, the glacier flows over the
top of this lip but the tension in the ice
causes fractures know as crevasses.
 Landforms Cont...
• Formation of an Arête- where two
neighbouring corries run back to
back and gradually move closer
together, this narrows and
steepens the wall between them,
forming a knife edge ridge.
• Where several corries and arêtes
meet creates a sharply pointed
summit or pyramidal peak, e.g.
Snowdon, Mt Everest.
 Landform Cont...
• As the glacier moves down the valley
it carves a u shaped valley. The ice
cuts right through leaving steep
edges on the sides, truncated
spurs, because the tributary
steams are at a higher level than
the main valley they enter as
hanging valleys or waterfalls.
 Glacial Deposits
• When the ice melts, deposits are left.
• Moraines are rock material left by
retreating glacier and are named
depending on where they are left.
Terminal which is the furthest point
reached, Lateral is on the sides,
Medial is in the centre of the valley
• Drumlins are elongated hills which
occur in groups commonly called ‘a
basket of eggs’. The blunt end
usually faces the direction the ice
Quick Fire Quiz
What is a Glacier?
When did the last ice age
retreat?
What are the 3 processes
of glacial erosion?
A glacier occurs on the top
of a mountain?
True or False?
What’s the name for an
ice hollow?
Two corries together are
called a pyramidal peak?
True or False?
A glacial valley is what
shape?
 A truncated spur is
another name for a lake?
True or False?
Name the 3 types of
moraine
What are groups of
drumlins called?
 Answers
• 1= A flow moving river of ice in an
mountainous area
• 2= 10,000 years ago
• 3= Abrasion, freeze thaw and plucking
• 4= False
• 5= Corrie
• 6= False
• 7= U shape
• 8= False
• 9=Lateral, Terminal and Medial
• 10= basket of eggs or swarms