Cirques Flashcards
1
Q
What is a cirque?
A
Armchair shaped hollow formed by glacial erosion of a nivation hollow
2
Q
Processes which deepen hollow
A
Nivation
Freeze thaw
Melting snow
3
Q
How does a cirque form over time?
A
Accumulation
Compaction
4
Q
Preferred cirque orientation
A
North East facing slopes
Sun protection
High accumulation
Low ablation
5
Q
Back of the cirque
A
Freeze thaw
Loose material
Plucking
Steep + jagged headwall
6
Q
Aretes
A
Narrow knife edged ridge
Headward erosion of neighboring cirques
7
Q
Pyramidal Peak
A
Headward erosion of 3+ cirques
8
Q
End of cirque life cycle
A
Cirque lake forms in hollow
