Glacial Deposits: What Lies Beneath Ice?

What are some types of glacial deposits?

- Glacial till

- Glacial outwash

Types of Glacial Deposits

Glacial deposits are diverse and provide valuable insights into the history of glaciers. Two common types of glacial deposits are glacial till and glacial outwash.

Glacial Till: Glacial till refers to unsorted debris deposited directly by glaciers. It contains a mix of rock fragments of various sizes, from large boulders to fine clay particles. As glaciers move, they pick up a wide range of materials and when they melt, these materials are deposited in place, creating a jumbled mixture of sediments.

Glacial Outwash: Glacial outwash, on the other hand, is composed of sediments that have been sorted and re-deposited by meltwater from glaciers. As the ice melts, the water from glaciers carries these sediments and sorts them by size, transporting smaller particles further before depositing them. This process leads to more homogeneous deposits, often consisting of sand and gravel.

Both types of deposits play significant roles in shaping landscapes and providing clues about past glacial activity. By studying these deposits, scientists can reconstruct the history of glaciers and understand their impact on the environment.