Glacial

Glacial refers to anything related to glaciers, large persistent bodies of dense ice that constantly move due to their own weight. The term originates from the Latin word glacies, meaning ice or frost. Glacial processes or features are those that involve glaciers, such as glacial erosion or glacial lakes.

Glacial Processes

Glacial processes are the mechanisms through which glaciers change the Earth's surface. These include glacial erosion, glacial deposition, and glacial transport.

Glacial Erosion

Glacial erosion is the process by which a glacier moves across the Earth's surface, picking up rocks and soil in its path. This can result in the formation of U-shaped valleys, cirques, and aretes.

Glacial Deposition

Glacial deposition is the process by which a glacier leaves behind sediment as it melts or retreats. This can result in the formation of moraines, drumlins, and eskers.

Glacial Transport

Glacial transport is the process by which a glacier moves material from one location to another. This can result in the formation of erratics, large rocks that have been transported and deposited by a glacier.

Glacial Features

Glacial features are the physical features that are created by glacial processes. These include glacial valleys, glacial lakes, and glacial moraines.

Glacial Valleys

Glacial valleys, also known as U-shaped valleys, are valleys that have been carved by glacial erosion. They are typically characterized by their steep, straight sides and flat valley floors.

Glacial Lakes

Glacial lakes are bodies of water that have been formed by glacial processes. They can be created by glacial erosion, glacial deposition, or the melting of a glacier.

Glacial Moraines

Glacial moraines are accumulations of dirt and rocks that have been left behind by a retreating glacier. They can be found at the sides, front, or underneath a glacier.

See Also

• Ice Age
• Glaciology
• Glacial landforms

Glacial Resources
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