Explain why glization in a highland produces erosional features while ...
Introduction:
Glaciation refers to the process of the formation, movement, and recession of glaciers. It has a significant impact on the landforms and landscapes of both highlands and lowlands. However, the erosional and depositional features produced by glaciation differ in these two regions.
Glaciation in Highland:
When glaciers are present in highlands, they tend to create erosional features due to their size, weight, and movement. The following factors contribute to the formation of erosional features in highlands:
1. Topography: Highlands are characterized by steep slopes and rugged terrain. Glaciers flowing over such topography exert immense pressure on the underlying rocks, leading to erosion.
2. Shear force: Glaciers move downhill under the influence of gravity, exerting a shear force on the land. This force causes the plucking of rock fragments from the bedrock, leading to abrasion and erosion.
3. Freeze-thaw action: In highlands, the temperature fluctuates widely, causing the freeze-thaw cycle. Water seeps into cracks and joints in the rocks, freezes, and expands, leading to the breakdown of rocks. This process, known as freeze-thaw action, aids in the erosion of highland landscapes.
4. Transportation and deposition: As glaciers move, they carry eroded materials such as boulders, rocks, and sediments. These materials are transported by the glacier and deposited in the form of moraines, till, and outwash plains when the glacier melts. However, the overall erosional action of glaciers in highlands outweighs their depositional capabilities.
Glaciation in Lowland:
In lowland areas, glaciation tends to produce depositional features due to the relatively flat terrain and less erosive power of glaciers. The following factors contribute to the formation of depositional features in lowlands:
1. Sediment deposition: Glaciers in lowlands carry a significant amount of sediment, including clay, silt, sand, and gravel. As the glaciers melt, they deposit these sediments, forming features such as drumlins, eskers, and kames.
2. Outwash plains: When the meltwater from glaciers flows out of the ice front, it spreads and deposits sediment in the adjacent lowland areas. These deposits create extensive outwash plains, which are composed of sorted and stratified sediments.
3. Moraines: Glaciers in lowland areas also deposit moraines, which are ridges or mounds of unsorted and unstratified material. These moraines can be classified into different types, including terminal moraines, lateral moraines, and medial moraines.
4. Glacial lakes: In lowland regions, depressions or basins created by glaciers can fill with water, forming glacial lakes. These lakes are often surrounded by moraines or other glacial deposits.
Conclusion:
In summary, glaciation in highlands tends to produce erosional features due to the steep terrain, shear force, and freeze-thaw action. On the other hand, glaciation in lowland areas leads to the formation of depositional features due to the relatively flat terrain and the ability of glaciers