Geology 1001-section 4
Dr. Dutrow (c)
Partial version of overheads
 
 

  Back to Syllabus                                                          last updated: 4/01/98


GLACIERS AND GLACIATION
Glaciers - a permanent body of recrystallized snow moving due to
 
 
Mountain glaciers (Alpine) - shape and direction of movement are a function of
 
   
 

Ice sheets (Continental) - continental-sized

 

(Note: loss of ice sheets would raise sea level

                                                                    )


General glacier classification based on relative T - controls

 

 
  1. characterized by a
 
  1. characterized by a
Glaciers form from: Conversion of snow to glacial ice -
 

 

 

 

         snow -

Change in glacier size - Glacial Budget:

   
 

 

 

 


Glacial Movement

       

 
 

 

Glaciation - the modification of the land surface by

 

 

Glacial erosion and sculpture - due to high viscosity and P of ice
 
Erosive 

features (abrasion)

Glacial Striations Scratches from rocks frozen in base of glacier
  Glacial grooves and polishing Linear depressions or polish due to rocks and fine sand in base of glacier
 
Glaciated mountain landforms Cirques Bowl-like form caused by frost-wedging, plucking and abrasion
  Tarn Small lake in a cirque
  Arete Knife-like ridge that forms as 2 cirques erode headward
  Horn Point that forms as >2 cirques erode headward
  Glacial Valleys
(hanging valleys)
U-shaped valley formed from glacial erosion
  Fjords Valley carved below sea level on the coast
 
Landforms from ice caps Glacial striations Scratches in rock that can indicate direction to center of ice cap
  Drumlins Streamlined hill, gentle upstream, but steep downstream, depositional and erosional character
 

Transport by glaciers

     

Glacial Deposits

   

Ice-laid deposits

    1. Tillite - lithified till
   
Ground moraine - widespread drift

Terminal moraine - ridge-like accumulations at

Lateral moraine - ridge-like accumulations of     along

(100's feet high)

Medial moraine - ridge-like accumulation at

 

Stratified drift - deposits in
    1. Kame - small hill
    2. Kettle - small basin
  • Permafrost - permanently frozen


  • Glacial Ages

    Louis Agassiz (1837) - hypothesis of continental glaciation - dramatic evidence for

    Ice Age Glaciers

               
    1. deep sea records indicate
    2. Early and late
    3. Early and late\

    Causes of Glaciations

    Interaction of atmosphere, earth, oceans, biosphere and sun

    Glacier ages relate to

             

     

      1. axis of rotation wabbles (23,000 year period)
      2. tilt of axis (41,000 year period)
      3. eccentricity of orbit (100,000 year period)
     
      1. greenhouse effects