Landforms of glacial erosion - Subglacial meltwater channels

Question 1

Where do subglacial meltwater channels develop?

Answer 1

Subglacial meltwater channels develop in the glacier ablation zone where meltwater is channelled beneath a glacier.

Question 2

What are subglacial meltwater channels capable of doing?

Answer 2

Using glacial debris, they are ca[able of incising potholes and gorge-like valleys into solid rock.

Question 3

Are subglacial meltwater channels able to run uphill?

Answer 3

As flow occurs under hydrostatic pressure, subglacial meltwater channels can even flow uphill, resulting in an undulating long profile.

Question 4

Describe channel flow in relation to ice flow?

Answer 4

Channel flow is parallel to the direction of ice flow and it is only where the meltwater streams flowed over bedrock that a trace of the channel is retained.

Question 5

Under contemporary cold-based glaciers, what is often the only imprint left by past glaciations?

Answer 5

Under contemporary cold-based glaciers, where glacier ice is frozen to the bed, the erosional impact of meltwater is often the only imprint left by past glaciations.