Glaciation

Question 1

Describe a corrie

Answer 1

A corrie is a large, deep, u-shaped basin cut into a mountain side.

Question 2

Describe an arete

Answer 2

An arete is a sharp pointed ridge formed when two corries form back to back

Question 3

Describe a pyramidal peak

Answer 3

A pyramidal peak is a sharp pointed land feature formed when three or more corries form back to back

Question 4

Describe a u-shaped valley

Answer 4

An u-shaped valley has very steep sides and a wide, flat base. Usually straight and deep

Question 5

Describe a hanging valley

Answer 5

A hanging valley is a smaller side valley situated in the side of an U-shaped valley, usually has a waterfall

Question 6

Describe a truncated spur

Answer 6

A truncated spur is a narrow neck of land that extends into a river valley

Question 7

Describe a ribbon lake

Answer 7

A ribbon lake is a large, narrow lake occupying an u-shaped valley

Question 8

Describe a misfit stream

Answer 8

A misfit stream is a stream that is either too big or small for the area its in (usually a u-shaped valley), this is because it cannot erode a set path for itself

Question 9

Describe an alluvial fan

Answer 9

An alluvial fan is a triangle shaped deposit of gravel, sand and other sediments called alluvial

Question 10

Explain how corries are formed

Answer 10

A corrie is formed when a glacier forms in a mountain side. The glacier moves downward collecting rocks and scree, these materials are released from the mountain side through plucking and frost shattering. The rocks and scree in the glacier erode the mountain creating a deep basin with steep sides

Question 11

Explain how an arete is formed

Answer 11

An arete is formed when the backs of two corries meet by the erosion of a glacier. The edges of an arete are sharpened by the moving glacier which causes plucking and frost shattering.

Question 12

Explain how a pyramidal peak is formed

Answer 12

A pyramidal peak is formed when the backs of three or more corries meet by the erosion of a glacier. The edges of the pyramidal peak are sharpened by the moving glacier which causes plucking and frost shattering.

Question 13

Explain how a u-shaped valley is formed

Answer 13

A u-shaped valley is formed when a glacier moves through a v-shaped valley eroding the interlocking spurs and making it wider. The glacier carries sediment which eroded the base of the valley making it wider and deeper.

Question 14

Explain how a hanging valley is formed

Answer 14

A hanging valley is formed when a glacier travels through a tributary valley eroding it until it becomes wider and deeper

Question 15

Explain how a ribbon lake is formed

Answer 15

A ribbon lake is formed as a glacier moves along a u-shaped valley deepening some areas through erosion, these area then fill with water and become ribbon lakes

Question 16

What is frost shattering

Answer 16

Frost shattering happens when water fills cracks in rocks and then freezes.as the water freezes it expands causing the crack to widen, the process is repeated until the rock splits

Question 17

What is abrasion

Answer 17

Abrasions happens when a glacier, carrying scree and rocks, rubs over a surface smoothing and scratching it until it it is worn away by the scouring action

Question 18

What is plucking

Answer 18

Plucking happens when rocks get frozen into the sides and bottom of a glacier. These rock fragments get torn away by the ice as it moves downhill and leaves behind a jagged landscape.