Unit 7:  External dynamics of the Earth                                      1   2   3

3.2. Glaciers

Glaciers are masses of moving ice. They are only found in alpine and polar regions. Ice moves very slowly from high areas to low areas by the force of gravity.

As the glacier moves, it tears off rocks materials and drags them. The ice and the carried rocks erode the surface in the path of the glacier forming a characteristic U-shaped valley.

In these freeze regions, physical weathering is very strong. The rocky fragments produced by gelifraccion fall and accumulate on the ice tongue that transports them (moraines).