Now let’s look at some of the distinctive landscape features that were created by glacial transportation and deposition.
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Terminal moraine: The end point of a glacier made of deposited material
Drumlin: An oval-shaped hill made of boulder clay
Erratic: Large boulder deposited by glacier, in an area where rock type is different
Esker: Long narrow ridge of sand or gravel
Outwash plain: Low, flat area composed of sand and gravel deposits found in front of the terminal moraine
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Terminal moraine
Drumlin swarm
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Retreating glacier
Bedrock 5 Outwash plain 1 Features of Glacial 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.
Moraines
A moraine is a mass of rocks and other material carried down and deposited by a glacier.
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Recessional moraine: A moraine marking a temporary stop in the retreat (moving back) of a glacier.
Lateral moraine: Found at the side of the glacier, made of broken rock and soil that fell down the mountain and gathered at the side. This is supraglacial material.
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Terminal moraine: Found at the front of the glacier, made up of material that is pushed ahead of the glacier. A terminal moraine marks the end point of the glacier.
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Medial moraine: Found in the middle of a glacier when two glaciers combine. Their two lateral moraines join together. This is englacial material.
