Glacier Weathering Processes

Question 1

What’s the process of Freeze thaw

Answer 1

1. Water collects in cracks in rock
2. Water freezes to ice, expansion causes stress & cracks enlarge
3. Rock fragments break off & collects as ‘scree’ at foot of rock face

Question 2

Freeze thaw is important because :

3

Answer 2

Helps to shape jagged glacial mountain landscapes
Rocks become weakened by TF making it easier for them to be eroded by the glaciers
‘Scree’ become powerful erosion tools under moving glaciers

Question 3

Abrasion

Answer 3

The ‘sandpaper’ effect caused by weight of ice scouring the valley floor
Leaves a smooth, polished surface

Question 4

Plucking

Answer 4

When meltwater beneath glacier freezes & bonds the base of glacier to rocky surface
As glacier moves rocks will be ‘plucked’
Leaves a jagged rocky surface