Glaciation - erosional processes

EROSION

1/ Plucking

• when meltwater seeps into joints in the rock of the valley floor and sides
• water refreezes, as the glacier moves it 'plucks' pieces of bedrock
• also occurs on the down-valley side when ice moves over obstacles by the process of creep and regelation slip

2/ Abrasion

• as glacier moves, the debris embedded in its base and sides rubs against bedrock and wears them away
• 'sandpapering' effect

3/ Subglacial Meltwater Erosion

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