CHAPTER 9: GLACIAL PROCESSES, PATTERNS AND LANDFORMS
Hanging valleys are the valleys of former river tributaries which were glaciated. Tributary glaciers were smaller so they
contained less ice than the main valley glacier, and therefore they did not erode as deeply into their valley. When the ice age ended they were left perched, or hanging, above the main valley. Hanging valleys are often marked by a waterfall, e.g. Pollanass above Glendalough. Fiords are formed if a glacial trough is
flooded by rising sea levels after the ice age, e.g. Killary Harbour on the Galway/Mayo border and Sogne Fiord in Norway. Fiords are deepest at the landward end.
At their mouth there is often an underwater lip which can be a hazard to ships and submarines.
Fig. 24 Glenmalure hanging valley T ACTIVITY
Find the spot heights in Fraughan Rock Glen and at Baravore using Fig. 24. Work out the difference in height between the hanging valley floor and the floor of Glenmalure Valley.
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Fig. 25 Killary Harbour, a fiord looking west from the road north of Leenaun.
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Fig. 26 Map showing Killary Harbour – an Irish fiord.