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      An example of an upland glaciated landscape in the UK: North Wales

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify landforms of glacial erosion and deposition in North Wales.

      Key learning points

      1. North Wales in the UK is an example of a glaciated landscape.
      2. Snowdonia in North Wales exhibits landforms of erosion.
      3. Snowdonia in North Wales exhibits landforms of deposition.

      Keywords

      • Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) - period when ice sheets were at their largest extent, during the last Ice Age about 26 000 years ago

      • GIS - Geographic Information Systems: computer system used for capturing, storing, analysing, and displaying geographic data

      • Corrie (or cwm) - a bowl-shaped hollow eroded by a glacier, typically forming at the head of a valley

      • Contour lines - lines drawn on maps that connect points of equal height above sea level

      Common misconception

      Glaciated landscapes are only found in polar regions

      Glaciated landscapes can be found in many mountainous regions around the world, including Snowdonia in North Wales, not just in polar areas.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson provides the chance to build in OS mapskills, e.g. identify features using grid references, drawing a cross section and practising sketch maps using photographs of landforms in North Wales.

      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 a glacier?

      Correct answer: A large body of ice moving slowly over land
      A type of mountain range formed by tectonic forces
      A river that forms in a cold environment

      Q2.
      What is erosion?

      Correct answer: The wearing away of the land by water, ice or wind
      The movement of material from one area to another
      Material that has been deposited

      Q3.
      What is the main process by which glaciers erode the landscape?

      Deposition
      Correct answer: Abrasion
      Transportation
      Weathering

      Q4.
      Which landform is formed when a glacier erodes a V-shaped valley?

      Corrie
      Correct answer: U-shaped valley
      Drumlin
      Arete

      Q5.
      Which of the following is a depositional feature?

      Pyramidal peak
      Correct answer: Erratic
      Arete

      Q6.
      How does freeze-thaw weathering occur?

      Water enters cracks in the rock.
      Correct answer: Water freezes, expands by around 9%, and puts pressure on the rock.
      Ice thaws, releasing pressure, and the process repeats over time.
      The rock weakens and eventually breaks apart.

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      LGM stand for ...

      Lost Glacial Momentum
      Correct answer: Last Glacial Maximum
      Lose Glacial Moraine

      Q2.
      Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) in Wales is an example of a glaciated landscape because...

      there are glaciers in the park
      Correct answer: it contains glacial landforms that were created in the past
      it is in a polar region where glaciers are located

      Q3.
      What is the name of the highest peak in Eryri, North Wales?

      Correct answer: Yr Wyddfa (Mt Snowdon)
      Ben Nevis
      Scafell Pike
      Pen y Fan

      Q4.
      What type of landform is Cwm Idwal in North Wales?

      A U-shaped valley
      Correct answer: A corrie (cirque)
      A drumlin

      Q5.
      Yr Wyddfa is a __________ peak: a sharply-pointed mountain peak created due to the formation of three or more corries.

      plateau
      Correct answer: pyramidal
      pointed

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