movements of glaciers - flows

COMPRESSING FLOW

- a reduction in the gradient of the valley floor

- this leads to ice deceleration and the thickening of ice mass

EXTENDING FLOW

- the valley gradient becomes steeper

- ice begins to acclerate and produces more meltwater underneath the glacier

- this leads to the ice becoming thinner

BASAL FLOW/SLIDING

- the friction and pressure at the base and sides of the glacier results in melting

- this means that the ice can move more freely as it is more slippery