glacio fluvial landforms

Question 1

what are glacio fluvial landforms

Answer 1

landforms produced by the meltwater from glaciers

Question 2

what is the deposit produced by glacio-fluvial streams known as

Answer 2

outwash

Question 3

what are three key characteristics of outwash

Answer 3

• smooth and rounded due to attrition
• sorted horizontally with the largest furthest up the stream
• stratified vertically with distinctive seasonal layers of annual sediment accumulation

Question 4

how do seasons impact the discharge of glacio fluvial rivers

Answer 4

• in winter months there is minimal discharge so the river will only have energy to carry small material
• in the summer melting season there will be extremely high discharge enabling glacio fluvial rivers to carry large sediment and even boulders

Question 5

give a specific example of a glacier with discharge significantly influenced by season

Answer 5

-the glacier d’Angentiere, lying perpendicular to Chamonix in france has a winter discharge of 0.1-0.5 cumecs but summer discharge of 10-11 cumecs.

Question 6

what is a kame

Answer 6

a hill or hummock composed of stratified gravel and sand laid down by glacial meltwater

Question 7

what are the two types of kames

Answer 7

• delta kames

- kame terraces

Question 8

describe the two ways in which delta kames can be formed

Answer 8

• some formed by en-glacial streams when the stream exists the glacier at its snout, losing energy and depositing the material
• some are formed by supra glacial streams entering a lake, losing their energy as they enter the static body of water

Question 9

what are kame terraces

Answer 9

ridges of material running along the valley floor

Question 10

how are kame terraces formed

Answer 10

supra glacial rivers running along the side of the glacier collect material which is deposited when the glacier retreats

Question 11

how are kame terraces different from lateral moraines

Answer 11

although they appear simiar, kame terraces are composed of outwash which is smaller, rounder and smoother than material deposited directly from a glacier

Question 12

give a specific example of kame terraces

Answer 12

kames are widespread in lothian, scotland

Question 13

what is an esker

Answer 13

-a long sinuous ridge composed of stratified sand and gravel laid down by glacial meltwater

Question 14

how do eskers form

Answer 14

material is deposited in sub glacial tunnels as meltwater is decreased

Question 15

what is a secondary theory to the formation of eskers

Answer 15

scientist argue that deposition occurs as material emerges from the glacial snout. as the glacier retreats the snout moves further back resulting in the long ridge.

Question 16

give a specific example of an esker

Answer 16

the trim esker in dublin is 14.5km long

Question 17

what are the three types of depositional glacio fluvial landforms

Answer 17

kames, eskers, outwash planes

Question 18

describe four ways in which modification can occur with glacio fluvial landforms

Answer 18

• repeated advance and retreat
• weathering an rockfall
• rising temperatures lead to excessive meltwater thus excessive outwash
• -rising temperatures also lead to ideal conditions for vegetation growth therefore outwash can be overcome by moss, grasses, flowers and shrubs