The formation of glaciers process description involves the accumulation of snow and ice, leading to powerful erosional forces that shape landscapes through freeze-thaw erosion in glaciation and other processes.
- Glaciers form when winter snowfall exceeds summer melting rates, creating massive ice bodies that move under gravity
- Three main erosional processes shape glacial landscapes: freeze-thaw weathering, plucking, and abrasion
- Corrie formation through plucking and abrasion creates distinctive hollow features with steep back walls and rock lips
- The process involves multiple erosional forces working together, including rotational sliding and differential ice movement
- These processes create recognizable landforms like corries, which can later form mountain tarns
