Question.
Write a logical note on the Glacial landform. (UPPSC 2021)
Give a systematic account of the evolution of landforms in glacial regions. ( UPPSC 1995)
Discuss the origin and characteristics of main glaciated landforms. ( UPPSC 1990)
Answer.
The glacial landform is the landform created by glaciers. Glacial is also called the river of ice because the mass of ice moves an average of a few meters per day due to gravity. It is generally found in what is now Antarctica, Greenland, and the northern part of Canada.
During their glacial journey, they carry the mass of ice along with the sand, gravel, rocks, and boulders. In the upper part of their journey, they mostly form many erosive landforms, and in the valley, they form mostly depository landforms.
Some of the major erosional glacial landforms are as follows:
- Cirque
- Tarn lake
- Horn
- Arete
- Hanging valley
- U shaped valley
The following are some of the major depositional glacial landforms:
- Morain or Glaciers till
- Eskers
- Drumline
- Outwash ground
The following diagram explains the different glacial landforms.
Cirque:
The cirque is the most prominent erosional topography in the glacial zone; Formed by the cutting down of land by glaciers on mountain slopes. It is a deep, long, and wide steep slope trough on three sides. When water gets accumulated in it during summer, it is called Tarn Lake.
Horn:
The Horn is like a peak in the highland with steep slopes on all sides formed by the retreat of the cirque on all sides.
Arete:
Arete is a vertical line with a steep slope on both sides and it is formed by the retreat of the cirque from two sides.
Morain or Glacier Till:
When sand, gravel, rocks, and boulders get deposited in a valley in an unorganized manner, it is called a glacial till.
Eskers:
When glacial deposits accumulate in the shape of a long curve (sinuous), it is called esker.
Drumline:
When glaciers are deposited in the form of an oval shape or an egg-like structure; This type of topography is called a drumline.
Outwash Ground ;
Outwash plain is the most extensive glacial plain formed by systematic deposition of glaciers (sand, gravel, soil, rocks).
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