Subjects

Geography

Physical geography

Glacial systems and landscapes

Glacial Landforms and Processes for Kids: Diagrams, Examples, and How They Shape the Land

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Glacial Landforms and Processes for Kids: Diagrams, Examples, and How They Shape the Land

Ellie

@ellie_polo

6 Followers

Glacial Landforms and Processes: A Comprehensive Guide

This document provides an in-depth exploration of glacial processes and landforms, covering key concepts in glacial erosion, formation of glacial features, and the impact of glaciation on landscapes.

Key points:

Explains the process of glaciation and its effects on landscapes
Details the three main processes of glacial erosion: freeze-thaw, plucking, and abrasion
Describes the formation of various glacial landforms including corries, arêtes, pyramidal peaks, and U-shaped valleys
Discusses the challenges and solutions related to land use in glaciated areas

18/04/2023

307

Formation of Glacial Features: Arête

This page focuses on the formation of an arête, a sharp ridge of rock created by glacial erosion.

The process of arête formation is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in north-facing hollows where there is less sun exposure.
During: Over time, snow compresses to form ice, eventually creating glaciers on two sides of the mountain. These glaciers move downhill due to their weight and gravity.
After: As the glaciers move, they erode the hollow through plucking and abrasion. When two corries (bowl-shaped hollows) form back to back, they create an arête.

Example: Striding Edge is provided as an example of an arête.

Vocabulary: An arête is a sharp, knife-edge ridge formed when two corries erode back to back.

This explanation provides a clear understanding of how glacial landforms are formed, specifically focusing on the creation of arêtes in glaciated landscapes.

Geography /
What is glaciation?
• Glaciation is the process of being covered by ice sheets (glaciers)
Temperatures were about
6°C colder tha

Introduction to Glaciation

Glaciation is the process of land being covered by ice sheets or glaciers. This section introduces the concept of glaciation and its impact on global temperatures.

Definition: Glaciation is the process of being covered by ice sheets (glaciers).

The document highlights that during periods of glaciation, temperatures were approximately 6°C colder than present day across most of the globe.

Processes of Glacial Erosion

This section details the three main processes of glacial erosion:

Freeze-Thaw: This process involves water entering cracks in rocks, freezing, and expanding, which causes the rock to shatter.
Plucking: Ice freezes onto rocks and pulls chunks out as the glacier moves.
Abrasion: Rocks frozen to the bottom and sides of the glacier scratch and scrape at surrounding rocks, similar to sandpaper.

Highlight: These three processes - freeze-thaw, plucking, and abrasion - are fundamental to understanding how glacial landforms are formed.

A diagram illustrates the cross-section of a glacier, showing how these processes work in conjunction to erode the landscape.

View

Formation of Glacial Features: Hanging Valley

This page explains the formation of a hanging valley, another significant glacial landform.

The process is described as follows:

Snow accumulates in a north-facing V-shaped valley high in the mountains.
The snow compresses to form ice, and the resulting glacier moves downhill through the valley, eroding it through plucking and abrasion.
A hanging valley is formed when a smaller glacier joins a larger main glacier valley. The smaller glacier's valley is left 'hanging' above the main valley floor.

Definition: A hanging valley is a tributary valley that is higher than the main valley floor, often ending in a waterfall where it meets the main valley.

Highlight: The formation of hanging valleys demonstrates how different rates of glacial erosion can shape complex landscape features.

This explanation provides insight into the formation of more complex glacial landforms, showing how multiple glaciers can interact to shape landscapes.

View

Formation of Glacial Features: Corrie

This page details the formation of a corrie, another significant glacial landform.

The process of corrie formation is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in a north-facing hollow, where shade allows the snow to remain longer.
During: Over time, the snow compacts and forms ice. Due to gravity and its own weight, the glacier begins to move downhill, eroding the hollow through plucking and abrasion.
After: The erosion process creates a steep, rugged backwall and a smooth, flat bottom. Sometimes, a lochan (small lake) forms due to a lip preventing meltwater from escaping.

Vocabulary: A corrie is a bowl-shaped hollow formed by glacial erosion on the side of a mountain.

Highlight: Abrasion creates a smooth, flat bottom, while plucking forms the steep, rugged backwall of the corrie.

This explanation provides a comprehensive understanding of how a corrie is formed, which is a key concept in glacial processes and landforms.

View

Formation of Glacial Features: U-Shaped Valley

This page details the formation of a U-shaped valley, a classic glacial landform.

The process is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in a north-facing V-shaped valley.
During: The snow compresses to form ice. The weight of the glacier and gravity cause it to move downhill, eroding the V-shaped valley through abrasion and plucking.
After: The erosion process transforms the V-shaped valley into a U-shaped valley with a wide, flat bottom and steep, rugged sides.

Vocabulary: A U-shaped valley is a valley that has been carved by glacial erosion, characterized by a wide, flat bottom and steep sides.

Highlight: Abrasion creates the smooth, flat bottom of the valley, while plucking forms the steep, rugged sides.

This explanation provides a clear understanding of how glacial processes transform landscapes, specifically the transition from V-shaped to U-shaped valleys.

View

Glaciated Land Use Conflicts and Solutions

This page discusses the challenges and potential solutions related to land use in glaciated areas, focusing on the issue of littering.

The main problem addressed is littering in rural areas, particularly the challenges associated with bin management:

In rural areas, bins are difficult to empty regularly.
Overflowing bins can encourage further littering or allow wildlife to access the rubbish.

Two potential solutions are presented:

Removing bins completely to encourage people to take their litter home.
Implementing a "pack it in, pack it out" policy where visitors are responsible for their own waste.

Highlight: The effectiveness of these solutions is debated, noting that while removing bins might reduce the need for regular emptying, it could potentially lead to more littering if people don't take their rubbish home.

This section provides practical insights into managing human impact on glaciated landscapes, demonstrating the ongoing challenges in preserving these environments.

View

Formation of Glacial Features: Pyramidal Peak

This page explains the formation of a pyramidal peak, a distinctive mountain shape created by glacial erosion.

The process is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in north-facing hollows on multiple sides of a mountain.
During: The snow compresses into ice, forming glaciers on three or more sides of the mountain. These glaciers move downhill due to their weight and gravity, eroding the mountain through plucking and abrasion.
After: The erosion process creates steep backwalls that are jagged, resulting in a pyramid-shaped peak.

Definition: A pyramidal peak is a mountain that has been eroded by glaciers on at least three sides, resulting in a pyramid-like shape.

Highlight: The formation of a pyramidal peak is an excellent example of how glaciation shapes mountain landscapes.

This explanation provides insight into one of the most dramatic glacial landforms examples, demonstrating the power of glacial erosion processes.

View

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Download in

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Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

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Average app rating

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Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 11 countries

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Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

4.9+

Average app rating

13 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 11 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Subjects

Geography

Physical geography

Glacial systems and landscapes

Glacial Landforms and Processes for Kids: Diagrams, Examples, and How They Shape the Land

View

Ellie

@ellie_polo

6 Followers

Glacial Landforms and Processes for Kids: Diagrams, Examples, and How They Shape the Land

Glacial Landforms and Processes: A Comprehensive Guide

This document provides an in-depth exploration of glacial processes and landforms, covering key concepts in glacial erosion, formation of glacial features, and the impact of glaciation on landscapes.

Key points:

Explains the process of glaciation and its effects on landscapes
Details the three main processes of glacial erosion: freeze-thaw, plucking, and abrasion
Describes the formation of various glacial landforms including corries, arêtes, pyramidal peaks, and U-shaped valleys
Discusses the challenges and solutions related to land use in glaciated areas

18/04/2023

307

Formation of Glacial Features: Arête

This page focuses on the formation of an arête, a sharp ridge of rock created by glacial erosion.

The process of arête formation is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in north-facing hollows where there is less sun exposure.
During: Over time, snow compresses to form ice, eventually creating glaciers on two sides of the mountain. These glaciers move downhill due to their weight and gravity.
After: As the glaciers move, they erode the hollow through plucking and abrasion. When two corries (bowl-shaped hollows) form back to back, they create an arête.

Example: Striding Edge is provided as an example of an arête.

Vocabulary: An arête is a sharp, knife-edge ridge formed when two corries erode back to back.

This explanation provides a clear understanding of how glacial landforms are formed, specifically focusing on the creation of arêtes in glaciated landscapes.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Introduction to Glaciation

Glaciation is the process of land being covered by ice sheets or glaciers. This section introduces the concept of glaciation and its impact on global temperatures.

Definition: Glaciation is the process of being covered by ice sheets (glaciers).

The document highlights that during periods of glaciation, temperatures were approximately 6°C colder than present day across most of the globe.

Processes of Glacial Erosion

This section details the three main processes of glacial erosion:

Freeze-Thaw: This process involves water entering cracks in rocks, freezing, and expanding, which causes the rock to shatter.
Plucking: Ice freezes onto rocks and pulls chunks out as the glacier moves.
Abrasion: Rocks frozen to the bottom and sides of the glacier scratch and scrape at surrounding rocks, similar to sandpaper.

Highlight: These three processes - freeze-thaw, plucking, and abrasion - are fundamental to understanding how glacial landforms are formed.

A diagram illustrates the cross-section of a glacier, showing how these processes work in conjunction to erode the landscape.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Formation of Glacial Features: Hanging Valley

This page explains the formation of a hanging valley, another significant glacial landform.

The process is described as follows:

Snow accumulates in a north-facing V-shaped valley high in the mountains.
The snow compresses to form ice, and the resulting glacier moves downhill through the valley, eroding it through plucking and abrasion.
A hanging valley is formed when a smaller glacier joins a larger main glacier valley. The smaller glacier's valley is left 'hanging' above the main valley floor.

Definition: A hanging valley is a tributary valley that is higher than the main valley floor, often ending in a waterfall where it meets the main valley.

Highlight: The formation of hanging valleys demonstrates how different rates of glacial erosion can shape complex landscape features.

This explanation provides insight into the formation of more complex glacial landforms, showing how multiple glaciers can interact to shape landscapes.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Formation of Glacial Features: Corrie

This page details the formation of a corrie, another significant glacial landform.

The process of corrie formation is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in a north-facing hollow, where shade allows the snow to remain longer.
During: Over time, the snow compacts and forms ice. Due to gravity and its own weight, the glacier begins to move downhill, eroding the hollow through plucking and abrasion.
After: The erosion process creates a steep, rugged backwall and a smooth, flat bottom. Sometimes, a lochan (small lake) forms due to a lip preventing meltwater from escaping.

Vocabulary: A corrie is a bowl-shaped hollow formed by glacial erosion on the side of a mountain.

Highlight: Abrasion creates a smooth, flat bottom, while plucking forms the steep, rugged backwall of the corrie.

This explanation provides a comprehensive understanding of how a corrie is formed, which is a key concept in glacial processes and landforms.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Formation of Glacial Features: U-Shaped Valley

This page details the formation of a U-shaped valley, a classic glacial landform.

The process is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in a north-facing V-shaped valley.
During: The snow compresses to form ice. The weight of the glacier and gravity cause it to move downhill, eroding the V-shaped valley through abrasion and plucking.
After: The erosion process transforms the V-shaped valley into a U-shaped valley with a wide, flat bottom and steep, rugged sides.

Vocabulary: A U-shaped valley is a valley that has been carved by glacial erosion, characterized by a wide, flat bottom and steep sides.

Highlight: Abrasion creates the smooth, flat bottom of the valley, while plucking forms the steep, rugged sides.

This explanation provides a clear understanding of how glacial processes transform landscapes, specifically the transition from V-shaped to U-shaped valleys.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Glaciated Land Use Conflicts and Solutions

This page discusses the challenges and potential solutions related to land use in glaciated areas, focusing on the issue of littering.

The main problem addressed is littering in rural areas, particularly the challenges associated with bin management:

In rural areas, bins are difficult to empty regularly.
Overflowing bins can encourage further littering or allow wildlife to access the rubbish.

Two potential solutions are presented:

Removing bins completely to encourage people to take their litter home.
Implementing a "pack it in, pack it out" policy where visitors are responsible for their own waste.

Highlight: The effectiveness of these solutions is debated, noting that while removing bins might reduce the need for regular emptying, it could potentially lead to more littering if people don't take their rubbish home.

This section provides practical insights into managing human impact on glaciated landscapes, demonstrating the ongoing challenges in preserving these environments.

Sign up to get unlimited access to thousands of study materials. It's free!

Access to all documents

Join milions of students

Improve your grades

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Formation of Glacial Features: Pyramidal Peak

This page explains the formation of a pyramidal peak, a distinctive mountain shape created by glacial erosion.

The process is described in three stages:

Before: Snow accumulates in north-facing hollows on multiple sides of a mountain.
During: The snow compresses into ice, forming glaciers on three or more sides of the mountain. These glaciers move downhill due to their weight and gravity, eroding the mountain through plucking and abrasion.
After: The erosion process creates steep backwalls that are jagged, resulting in a pyramid-shaped peak.

Definition: A pyramidal peak is a mountain that has been eroded by glaciers on at least three sides, resulting in a pyramid-like shape.

Highlight: The formation of a pyramidal peak is an excellent example of how glaciation shapes mountain landscapes.

This explanation provides insight into one of the most dramatic glacial landforms examples, demonstrating the power of glacial erosion processes.