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Chapter 17: Problem 8

How does a glacier accomplish erosion?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A glacier erodes the land primarily through abrasion and plucking. In abrasion, the glacier drags rocks and sediments, which grind against the bedrock, scratching and smoothing it. Plucking occurs when the glacier freezes onto the bedrock, and lifts away large pieces of rock as it moves forward.

Step by step solution

01

Explanation of the Process

A glacier erodes the land by two main processes: abrasion and plucking. These mechanisms work together to grind down the landscape.
02

Understanding Abrasion

Abrasion occurs when the glacier slides down a slope, dragging with it debris of rocks and sediments. These materials grind against the bedrock, wearing it away very much like sandpaper. Because of Abrasion, the bedrock is scratched and smoothed, leaving striations (marks) that run parallel to the direction the ice moved.
03

Understanding Plucking

In the process of plucking, the glacier freezes onto the bedrock, and as it moves forward, it plucks or lifts away large pieces of rock. Plucking is dominant on the upstream side of the glacier, while abrasion is dominant on the downstream side. This process of plucking and abrasion shapes the land the glacier moves over and creates distinct landforms, such as U-shaped valleys, cirques, and moraines.

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