What is a landscape feature created by glacial deposits?
Geography · High School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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A landscape feature created by glacial deposits is a "moraine." Moraines are landforms composed of glacial till, which is an unsorted mixture of rock, sediment, and debris that glaciers transport and deposit as they move. Moraines can take various forms and are classified based on their location in relation to the glacier. The main types of moraines include:
1.Terminal Moraine:
A ridge or mound of till deposited at the furthest advance of a glacier. It marks the maximum extent of glacial advance.
2.Lateral Moraine:
Parallel ridges of till deposited along the sides of a glacier. Lateral moraines form as the glacier erodes and carries debris along its edges.
3.Medial Moraine:
A moraine that forms when two glaciers merge, and their lateral moraines combine in the center of the combined glacier.
4.Ground Moraine:
A layer of till that is deposited over large areas as the glacier retreats. It forms a relatively flat and irregular landscape.
5.Recessional Moraine:
Moraines that mark pauses or halts in the glacial retreat. They are formed during temporary periods of stability in the glacier's overall retreat.
Moraines are characteristic features of glaciated landscapes and provide valuable clues for geologists studying past glacial activity. They play a significant role in shaping the topography and landforms of regions that were once covered by glaciers.