Glaciation - Landforms

Question 1

How are eskers formed? (Ice contact, fluvio-glacial landform)

Answer 1

Subglacial meltwater streams can carry large amounts of rock debris due to their high hydrostatic pressure inside tunnels. The streams often meander beneath the glacier. When the glacier retreats, the debris load is deposited at a consistent rate and forms a meandering ridge (in the same shape of the stream that deposited the debris)

Question 2

Explain the role of glacial meltwater in creating distinctive landforms (8 marks)

Answer 2

3x PEEL paragraphs

Use fluvio-glacial landforms, such as eskers, outwash plains/sandur, Kame terraces

Question 3

How are outwash plains/sandur formed? (Pro-glacial, fluvio-glacial landform)

Answer 3

As meltwater streams gradually lose their energy once entering a lowland area, they deposit their material; with the largest material being deposited nearest to the snout and the finest material further away.

Question 4

How are Kame terraces formed? (Ice-contact, fluvioglacial)

Answer 4

Supraglacial streams on the edge of the glacier pick up and carry lateral moraine, which is then deposited on the valley floor as the glacier retreats.

Question 5

Three ways in which debris is transferred

Answer 5

Supraglacial: debris transported on the surface of a glacier
Subglacial: debris transported underneath the glacier
Englacial: debris transported inside the glacier