1. World Geography 3200/3202 October 2010
Erosion & Glaciers
World Geography 3200/3202
October 2010

2. Glaciers Introduction
In this lesson you will:
1.4.1 Define the terms outwash plain, terminal moraine, erratic, drumlin, and esker. (k)
1.4.2 Examine evidence for the direction of movement of a continental glacier. (a)
1.4.3 Define the terms cirque, arête, hanging valley, lateral moraine, and terminal moraine. (k)
1.4.4 Define the term fiord. (k)

3. Continental vs. Alpine
Continental glaciers : Glaciers that cover parts of continental land masses like Greenland & Antarctica
Alpine glaciers : Glaciers that are found high in mountain valleys, above the snow-line

4. Glaciers of the world
Continental glaciers
Alpine Glaciers

5. Continental Glaciers=
1.6.1 Distinguish between the terms alpine glaciation and continental glaciation. (P.32)
Alpine Glaciers =
form high in mountain valleys above the snow-line
Continental Glaciers=
cover parts of continental land masses near poles; eg Greenland & Antarctica

6. Alpine Glaciers
Alpine glaciers are like very slow moving rivers of ice flowing down high mountain valleys
They typically erode the mountain beneath them into a u-shaped valley with steep sides.
Some alpine or valley glaciers are 1000m thick and up to 160 km long, though most are only a few km in length.

7. Continental vs. Alpine: Differences
Location; Alpine glaciers are only found on mountain tops whereas continental glaciers are only found at the earth's poles regardless of elevation.
Size; Alpine glaciers are smaller compared to Continental glaciers.

8. Continental vs. Alpine: Similarities
Both move and cause erosion (gravity & friction)
Both change the landscape by weathering & deposition
Both create land forms
Both developed in constantly cold temperatures below freezing. (< 0)

9. Features of Continental Glaciers

10. Features of Continental Glaciers
Use your textbook to create profiles of the following concepts related to continental glaciers
outwash plain
terminal moraine
Erratic
Drumlin
esker

11. Features of Alpine Glaciers

12. Features of Alpine Glaciers
Use your textbook to create profiles of the following concepts related to alpine glaciers
Cirque
Arête
hanging valley
lateral moraine
terminal moraine
fiord

13. Evidence of Glacier Movement
The gently-sloped end of drumlins point in the direction of glacier movement.
The terminal moraine marks the furthest extent of the glacier.
The layers of silt in an outwash plain can indicate direction of glacier movement. (fine particles would be at the leading edge while larger particles would have been closer to the glacier)

14. Continental Review Questions
Where are continental glaciers found? THE POLES OF EARTH
Where are alpine glaciers found? HIGH IN MOUNTAIN VALLEYS
Many land forms are created by continental glaciers. Which one is very similar to a river delta? OUTWASH PLAIN
Many land forms are created by continental glaciers. Which one is created by a river running under the glacier? ESKERS

15. Continental Review Questions
Many land forms are created by continental glaciers. Which one is a large boulder that looks out of place in its surroundings? ERRATICS
Many land forms are created by continental glaciers. Which one marks the furthest extent of the glaciers movement? TERMINAL MORAINE
Many land forms are created by continental glaciers. Which one is an egg-shaped hill? DRUMLIN
Which end of a drumlin indicates the direction of glacier motion? POINTY

16. Review Questions
What alpine glaciation feature consists of a circular hollow cut into the bedrock. CIRQUE
What alpine glaciation feature consists of a knife-like edge between adjacent cirques? ARETE
What alpine glaciation feature consists of a valley that abruptly ends as the main valley is at a much lower level? HANGING VALLEY
What alpine glaciation feature consists of deposits along the side of the glacier. LATERAL MORAINE
What alpine glaciation feature is formed when a valley glacier reaches the ocean and eventually melts back. FJIORD