Glacial Processes

Glacial processes involve the movement and shaping of the Earth's surface by glaciers, which are massive, slow-moving bodies of ice. These processes include accumulation (gathering of snow), compaction into ice, and the glacier's gradual flow due to gravity. As glaciers move, they erode the landscape by scraping and plucking rocks, creating features like valleys and fjords. They also transport debris, depositing sediments as they melt. Over time, glaciers dramatically reshape terrains, leaving behind landforms such as moraines and drumlins that record past ice coverage.