Landforms of glaciofluvial deposition - Kettle holes

Question 1

How is a kettle hole formed?

Answer 1

A kettle hole is formed by blocks of ice that become isolated from the main glacier when the ice front stagnates or recedes. The detached blocks of ice then become buried by glaciofluvial deposits. When the ice blocks melt, they leave behind holes or depressions that fill with water to become kettle hole lakes.

Question 2

Give an example of a place where small kettle lakes have developed in the outwash plains or sandur.

Answer 2

Along the south coast of Iceland, a freshly deglaciated area (in geological history), small kettle lakes have developed in the outwash plains or sandur.

Question 3

In post-glacial landscapes, what are kettle lakes mostly infilled with?

Answer 3

In post-glacial landscapes, kettle lakes are mostly infilled with sediments, especially peat.

Question 4

What does the size of kettle lakes depend on?

Answer 4

The size of kettle lakes depends upon the size of the detached block of ice.

Question 5

What process is key to the formation of a kettle hole?

Answer 5

Transportation

Question 6

Why is transportation a key process in the formation of a kettle hole?

Answer 6

Transportation is key kettle hole formation, firstly in terms of movement of dead ice (which determines where the landforms will occur) and, secondly, the subsequent transportation of glaciofluvial glacial debris which covers the detached blocks of ice.