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Ice-shaping processes
I can explain the processes by which ice shapes the landscape.
Lesson 1 of 7
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Ice-shaping processes
I can explain the processes by which ice shapes the landscape.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Ice covered large parts of the UK in the past.
- Glacial processes have been responsible for shaping the landscape of the UK.
- Glacial processes include freeze-thaw weathering, erosion, movement, transportation and deposition (till and outwash).
Keywords
Ice sheet - a vast, continuous expanse of ice covering a very large area of land
Glacier - a large mass of ice that forms on land and moves slowly due to gravity
Freeze-thaw weathering - the break up of rocks caused by water regularly freezing and thawing
Glacial till - a mixture of unsorted debris
Common misconception
Ice only affects landscapes during periods of melting.
Ice modifies landscapes through continuous processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition, not just during periods of melting.
There are useful online videos that present the changes in ice sheet coverage in the northern hemisphere over previous glacial maximums.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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
6 Questions
Q1.What is erosion?
What is erosion?
the movement of material from one area to another
material that has been deposited
Q2.What is weathering?
What is weathering?
the wearing away of rock
the movement of sediment from one place to another
Q3.What is a glacier?
What is a glacier?
a large body of water that flows over land
a type of rock formed by volcanic activity
a landform created by wind erosion
Q4.What is an ice sheet?
What is an ice sheet?
a small, frozen body of water found in mountain ranges
a type of glacier that only forms in the Arctic
a thin layer of ice found on lakes and rivers
Q5.Which period is known for extensive ice coverage?
Which period is known for extensive ice coverage?
Jurassic
Triassic
Q6.Which areas in the UK were most affected by ice coverage during the last Ice Age?
Which areas in the UK were most affected by ice coverage during the last Ice Age?
eastern and southern regions
southern and central regions
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is a glacier?
What is a glacier?
a vast, continuous expanse of ice covering a very large area of land
a mixture of unsorted debris
Q2.Glaciers the landscape by the processes of abrasion and plucking.
Glaciers the landscape by the processes of abrasion and plucking.
Q3. are vast masses of ice that cover large areas of land, over 50 000 square kilometres.
are vast masses of ice that cover large areas of land, over 50 000 square kilometres.
Q4.Order the process of freeze-thaw weathering.
Order the process of freeze-thaw weathering.
