Drumlins

A drumlin is a long, canoe-shaped hill made of glacial till. These landforms are typically found in areas that were covered by ice sheets during the last ice age. Drumlins are often found in groups called "drumlin fields" and can vary in size and shape.

Formation of Drumlins

Drumlins are formed by the movement of glaciers. As a glacier moves over the landscape, it picks up and carries a mixture of rocks, sand, and clay called till. As the glacier advances, it deposits this till in the shape of a drumlin. The steep side of the drumlin faces in the direction the glacier was moving, while the gentle slope faces in the opposite direction.

Study Guide

1. What is a drumlin?
   - A drumlin is a long, canoe-shaped hill made of glacial till.
2. Where are drumlins typically found?
   - They are typically found in areas that were covered by ice sheets during the last ice age.
3. How are drumlins formed?
   - Drumlins are formed by the movement of glaciers, which deposit till in the shape of a drumlin as they advance.
4. What is the orientation of a drumlin?
   - The steep side of the drumlin faces in the direction the glacier was moving, while the gentle slope faces in the opposite direction.

Understanding the formation and characteristics of drumlins can help us learn more about the Earth's past climate and the powerful effects of glacial activity.