12. Glaciation: The Work of Moving Ice Features of Glacial Deposition and Transportation
Now let’s look at some of the distinctive landscape features that were created by glacial transportation and deposition. The features of glacial deposition are mainly seen in lowland areas. As a glacier moves slowly down the valley to the lowland, it carries eroded material with it. When it melts, it begins to deposit its material, creating features.
2 1 4 Erratic
Terminal moraine
Drumlin swarm
4 Esker
1 A terminal moraine is the end point of a glacier made of deposited material.
2 A drumlin is an oval-shaped hill made of boulder clay.
Retreating glacier
3 An erratic is a large boulder deposited by a glacier, in an area where the rock type is different.
4 An esker is a long narrow ridge of sand or gravel.
Bedrock 5 Outwash plain
5 An outwash plain is a low, flat area composed of sand and gravel deposits found in front of the terminal moraine.
9. Features of glacial transportation and deposition
Feature: Moraines A moraine is a mass of rocks and other material carried down and deposited by a glacier.
1 A recessional moraine is a moraine marking a temporary stop in the retreat (moving back) of a glacier.
2 A lateral moraine is found at the side of the glacier. It is made of broken rock and soil that fell down the mountain and gathered at the side. This is supraglacial material.
3 A terminal moraine is found at the front of the glacier. It is made up of material that is pushed ahead of the glacier. A terminal moraine marks the end point of the glacier.
4 A medial moraine is found in the middle of a glacier when two glaciers combine. Their two lateral moraines join together. This is englacial material.