Types of Glacial Erosion

• Plucking: This occurs when the glacier's movement causes it to pick up and carry rocks and sediment.
• Abrasion: As the glacier moves, the debris it carries can scrape and polish the underlying rock, creating grooves and striations.
• Quarrying: This process involves the glacier breaking off and carrying large chunks of rock as it moves, contributing to the erosion of the landscape.

Landforms Created by Glacial Erosion

• U-shaped valleys: These are created as the glacier widens and deepens existing V-shaped river valleys.
• Cirques: These are amphitheater-like hollows carved into mountainsides by glacial erosion.
• Fjords: Glacial erosion can result in the creation of long, narrow inlets with steep sides, often found in coastal regions.
• Arêtes and horns: These are sharp ridges and peaks formed by glacial erosion on multiple sides of a mountain.

Impact on the Environment

Study Guide for Glacial Erosion

1. Understanding the processes of plucking, abrasion, and quarrying and their roles in glacial erosion.
2. Identifying and describing the landforms created by glacial erosion, such as U-shaped valleys, cirques, and fjords.
3. Exploring the environmental impact of glacial erosion and its influence on ecosystems and habitats.
4. Examining real-world examples of glacial erosion and its effects on specific geographic regions.