Glacial depositional processes and landforms

Abstract

Glacial landforms are primarily the result of erosion during glacial advances and deposition during glacial retreat. Both mountain and continental glaciers contribute to depositional landforms. During periods of glacial retreat, snow loss outpaces snow accumulation, leaving behind debris. The resulting features include terminal moraines, lateral moraines, medial moraines, recessional moraines, ground moraines, drumlins, kettles, kames, eskers, tunnel valleys, and moulins. The study of depositional landforms allows scientists to reconstruct glacial histories, model current glacial behaviors, and make predictions about future glacial activity.