Glacial Erosion & Weathering

Question 1

What is plucking?

Answer 1

Plucking occurs when rocks and stones become frozen to the base or sides of the glacier and are plucked from the ground or rock face.

Question 2

What is abrasion?

Answer 2

Abrasion occurs when rocks and stones become embedded in the base and sides of the glacier. These are rubbed against the bedrock and rock face as the glacier moves. This causes the wearing away of the landscape as the glacier acts like sandpaper.

Question 3

What if freeze-thaw?

Answer 3

Freeze-thaw describes the action of glacial meltwater on cracks and hollows in rock. When the temperature reaches freezing point, the water inside cracks expands and causes the cracks to widen.

Question 4

What are ribbon lakes caused by?

Answer 4

Plucking

Question 5

What are the three different types of glacial erosion & weathering?

Answer 5

Plucking, Abrasion & Freeze-Thaw

Question 6

Give an example of a glacial depositional feature

Answer 6

Moraine
Esker
Kame