Ice Movement

Compressing flow:

• Occurs when there is a reduction in the gradient of the valley floor.
• This leads to the thickening of the ice mass .
• Erosion is at its maximum.

Extending flow:

• Occurs when there is an increase in the gradient of the valley floor.
• The ice accelerates and becomes thinner.
• This leads to less erosion.

Basal flow:

• As the galcier moves over bedrock friction occurs.
• The lower ice is under a great deal of pressure from the mass of the glacier, this combined with friction results in some melting.
• The…