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Lesson 3 of 12
Glacial processes
I can describe the glacial processes of erosion, transportation and deposition.
Lesson 3 of 12
New
New
Glacial processes
I can describe the glacial processes of erosion, transportation and deposition.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Glaciers erode the landscape by plucking and abrasion.
- Eroded material called moraine is moved by the glacier in a process called transportation.
- When the ice melts, moraine is dropped in the process of deposition.
Keywords
Plucking - when meltwater at a glacier's base refreezes to bedrock, loosened rocks will be torn away as the glacier moves forwards, here rocks freeze to a glacier and are pulled from the ground as it moves
Abrasion - where rocks carried beneath the ice scratch and sandpaper the bedrock
Moraine - a ridge or mound of debris deposited by a glacier
Common misconception
Glaciers are white.
Glaciers can appear dirty because they carry material.
There are lots of videos and animations available online to show plucking and abrasion in action.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.What are the two main types of cold environments?
What are the two main types of cold environments?
Rainforest and desert
Savanna and woodland
Grassland and coastal
Q2.Which of these is a type of ice formation found in cold climates?
Which of these is a type of ice formation found in cold climates?
Sand dune
Cloud
Q3.How does ice help keep Earth's temperature stable?
How does ice help keep Earth's temperature stable?
It absorbs sunlight and warms Earth
It releases heat into the atmosphere
It creates more sunlight
Q4.What is an iceberg?
What is an iceberg?
A large block of rock found in the desert
A piece of seaweed
A mountain made of ice
Q5.Which of these countries is known for having a cold environment with glaciers and ice?
Which of these countries is known for having a cold environment with glaciers and ice?
Brazil
India
Egypt
Q6.Where are most of the world's glaciers located?
Where are most of the world's glaciers located?
The Sahara Desert
Central Asia
Near the equator
Assessment exit quiz
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4 Questions
Q1.Which of these statements is true?
Which of these statements is true?
Glaciers are white because they are made of ice.
Glacier ice is black.
Q2.What is the process called when a glacier moves and shapes the land beneath it?
What is the process called when a glacier moves and shapes the land beneath it?
Deposition
Melting
Evaporation
Q3.Which of the following describes glacial erosion by plucking?
Which of the following describes glacial erosion by plucking?
When the glacier pushes rocks forward
When water from the glacier evaporates
When the glacier deposits rocks at the end
Q4.Which of the following describes glacial erosion by abrasion?
Which of the following describes glacial erosion by abrasion?
When the glacier melts and forms water channels
When rocks are deposited by the glacier
When a glacier moves forward due to gravity