A moraine is any accumulation of unconsolidated debris, sometimes called glacial till, that a glacier or ice sheet has carried and deposited. Moraines form through passive processes that place surface debris on the landscape, active glaciotectonism where moving ice deforms and pushes sediment, and the coalescence of meltwater stream deposits along the ice margin.
Where does the word moraine come from?
The word moraine entered geology when Horace Bénédict de Saussure introduced it in 1779. It is borrowed from French moraine, which came from Savoyard Italian morena, itself derived from Provençal morre meaning snout, tracing back to Vulgar Latin murrum meaning rounded object.
What are the different types of moraines?
Moraines include lateral moraines along glacier sides, terminal moraines at the maximum glacier advance, recessional moraines formed during pauses in retreat, ground moraines beneath the ice, medial moraines where two glaciers meet, Rogen or ribbed moraines, de Geer moraines, washboard moraines, supraglacial moraines, Veiki moraines, and arctic push moraines in permafrost areas.
How high can a lateral moraine get?
Lateral moraines can rise up to 140 metres above the valley floor and extend up to 3 kilometres in length. Slopes near the glacier margin can reach up to 80 degrees, while slopes further away are typically 29 to 36 degrees.
What are Rogen moraines and where are they found?
Rogen moraines, also called ribbed moraines, are a type of basal moraine that forms ribs perpendicular to ice flow. They are named after Lake Rogen in Harjedalen, Sweden, the type locality for the landform. The water-filled depressions between the ribs make them resemble tiger stripes in aerial photographs.
Who first described de Geer moraines and what are they?
De Geer moraines were first described by Gerard De Geer in 1889. They are till ridges up to 5 metres high and 10-50 metres wide that run perpendicular to ice flow and may have developed from crevasses beneath the ice sheet. The Kvarken has a notably high density of de Geer moraines.