GLACIARY MORENAS: What are, characteristics and types

Glacier moraids are geological characteristics that are formed through the action of glaciers, great ice masses that move slowly throughout the earth. These Moranas are Sediment, rocks and other material accumulations which are transported and deposited by the in motion ice.

The formation of these geological characteristics is a gradual process that implies a series of stages:

1. Snow accumulation: It all starts with the accumulation of snow in the region where the glacier is located. The snow accumulates in layers over time due to winter rainfall that exceeds the fusion and sublimation of snow during the summer.
2. Compression and transformation: Over time, the deepest snow layers are compressed under the weight of the upper layers. As the snow is compact, it is transformed into glacial ice. This compression process is essential for the formation of a glacier.
3. Ice movement: The glaciers move slowly due to their own weight and the action of gravity. As the ice flows, it acts as a conveyor belt that collects sediments and rocks of the underlying bed and the sides of the glacier valley.
4. Sediment collection: The glacier collects a wide range of sediments, from small particles of dust to large rocks, as it slides on the ground. These sediments can include local material of the underlying substrate and materials transported from surrounding areas.
5. Sediment tank: As the glacier progresses and goes back, it deposits the sediments it has collected. This occurs as the ice melts in the glacier ablation zone. The sediments are deposited in the form of Moranas, which can vary in size and shape, as mentioned above.
6. Morrenas of advance and setback: Glacier moraids are divided into two main categories: Moranas of progress and setbacks. Advance moraines are formed when the glacier advances and deposits sediments on their forehead. On the other hand, the backward muras are formed when the glacier withdraws and leaves behind the sediments he had previously collected.

You may be interested in what glaciers are.

There are two main types of glaciers moraine: background moraines and surface moraids. The background moraines They meet under the glacier and are formed by the sediments that the ice collects while sliding on the ground. These Moranas usually contain a mixture of rock sizes, from small particles to large blocks.

On the other hand, the surface muras They are formed in the top of the glacier as the ice melts and deposits the sediments that transports. These Moranas are usually smaller and are mainly composed of fine material, such as sand and gravel.

Glacier moraids can have a variety of shapes and sizes, from known elongated crests, such as Crest Moranaseven irregular mounds, called Elephant loin moraines. These characteristics can be extended by long distances and provide valuable information about the history and behavior of glaciers in the past.

There are some types of glaciers muras depending on their formation and morphology:

• Terminal Moranas: The terminal moraines are found in the front of the glacier, marking the point where glacier ice stops and melts. These Moranas often form a characteristic arc form that is known as a horseshoe -shaped terminal.
• Side muras: The lateral moraines develop on the sides of the glacier and form when the ice drags and accumulates sediments as it slips along the walls of the glacier valley. They can be long crest parallel to the flow of the glacier.
• Media Moranas: These Moranas are formed inside the glacier, where two ice lobes join. The ice pushes and accumulates sediments in the contact area, creating an average morrena.
• Recession Moranas: The recession muras are the result of the withdrawal of the glacier. When the ice melts and goes back, it deposits a morrena that marks its previous position. These Moranas can be used to track the history of changes in glacier size.
• Wrong Moranas: These Moranas are formed when the ice is found with an obstacle, such as a hill or a large rock, and pushes the sediments forward. This creates a thrust morrena in the form of a mound in the front of the glacier.
• Subglacial Moranas: These Moranas are under the glacier and are formed from the sediments that are dragged and accumulated by the in motion ice. They are often difficult to study directly due to their location under the ice.
• Supragiar Moranas: These Moranas are developed on the surface of the glacier as the ice melts and deposits sediments. They can vary in size from small gravel ridges to larger mounds.
• Front Moranas: The frontal moraines are formed in the front of a glacier, where the ice meets the surrounding environment. These Moranas can be used to infer the history of progress and recoil of the glacier.

What we call till It is the accumulation of sediments caused by glaciers and their dynamics. The tills are Glacier drift fragments deposited along the way. These characteristics make the tills components always the same. We can find one Clay mixture, pebbles, gravel and sand. Till balls roll along the bed of a stream and can have rocks added to their composition.

All this material is deposited at the ends, sides, medium and background of the Moranas. As the Type seasonglaciers begin to melt and large amounts of cultivated material are dragged outside the rivers that flow from glaciers and deposited in lots of sand. This situation is more evident if it is a continental glacier that begins to melt.

Now you know better what the glaciers are and perhaps you are interested in knowing better glacier erosion: definition, types and examples.

If you want to read more articles similar to GLACIARY MORENAS: What are, characteristics and typeswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.