Erosional Landforms

Question 1

What are corries?

Answer 1

Depressions or hollowed-shaped areas on the mountainside
They feature a steep back wall

Question 2

How are corries formed?

Answer 2

Deepening snow hollows out the bedrock base due to the process of nivation. Abrasion and plucking result in the steep back wall

Question 3

What are aretes?

Answer 3

Formed when two neighbouring corries erode back towards each other. This forms a ridge.

Question 4

What are pyramidal peaks?

Answer 4

If three or more corries erode towards each other, it leaves an isolated peak.

Question 5

What is a U-shaped valley?

Answer 5

A.K.A a Glacial trough
V-shaped river valley is eroded by the bulldozing glacier. Interlocking river spurs are chopped to make truncated spurs.

Question 6

What are fjords?

Answer 6

If a U-shaped valley is formed below sea level and somewhere with access to the sea, sea water can fill the valley, creating a fjord.

Question 7

What is a ribbon lake?

Answer 7

If a glacier retreats, the depression left behind can fill with meltwater. This only happens in post-glacial environments

Question 8

What are roche moutonnees?

Answer 8

Created by the passing of a glacier, resulting in the asymmetrical erosion of the stoss (upstream) and the lee (downstream). Smooth eroded stoss side, and a jagged surface on the lee side (becuase of plucking)