GLACIATION Shaping of the Earth Our planet has

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GLACIATION

GLACIATION

Shaping of the Earth Our planet has NOT always looked the same! There are

Shaping of the Earth Our planet has NOT always looked the same! There are many natural processes that have shaped it for thousands of years It is still changing today!

Natural Processes • Some of these natural processes happen quickly o Landslides, volcanoes, and

Natural Processes • Some of these natural processes happen quickly o Landslides, volcanoes, and earthquakes • Some of these natural processes happen slowly o Weathering and erosion, tectonic plate movement, and glaciation

Natural Processes There are 3 Major NATURAL processes that erode the Earth and its

Natural Processes There are 3 Major NATURAL processes that erode the Earth and its surface

Processes that Erode 1) Water

Processes that Erode 1) Water

Processes that Erode 1) Water 2) Wind

Processes that Erode 1) Water 2) Wind

Processes that Erode 1) Water 2) Wind 3) Ice

Processes that Erode 1) Water 2) Wind 3) Ice

Let’s focus on ICE!

Let’s focus on ICE!

Glacier Definition A glacier is a large piece of ice It moves slowly It

Glacier Definition A glacier is a large piece of ice It moves slowly It is made of compacted layers of snow It slowly melts and freezes It flows depending on gravity and weight

Glaciation Definition When we talk about how Glaciers change the Earth, we are talking

Glaciation Definition When we talk about how Glaciers change the Earth, we are talking about GLACIATION

How are Glaciers Made? Even though areas sometimes feel hot, the Earth has a

How are Glaciers Made? Even though areas sometimes feel hot, the Earth has a fairly cool climate overall Especially near the poles, and at high elevations This is why some snow doesn’t melt when it falls Instead, more and more piles up It gets very deep and heavy

How are Glaciers Made? Glaciers can become so heavy and dense that the snow

How are Glaciers Made? Glaciers can become so heavy and dense that the snow at the bottom turns into ice Once they are created, gravity causes them to move downhill

Two types of glaciers: “Alpine” = 1) Alpine Glaciers in a mountain 2) Continental

Two types of glaciers: “Alpine” = 1) Alpine Glaciers in a mountain 2) Continental Glaciersarea

1) Alpine Glaciers Located in mountain regions (areas) Gravity pulls them downwards As they

1) Alpine Glaciers Located in mountain regions (areas) Gravity pulls them downwards As they move, they scrape away the walls of the valley Turns them from a V shape, to a U shape http: //geology. about. com/library/bl/images/blglacierval. htm http: //www. flickr. com/photos/davejglaves/1191311285/

1) Alpine Glaciers As glaciers move, they leave behind a trail of all the

1) Alpine Glaciers As glaciers move, they leave behind a trail of all the things they picked up Rocks and sediment We call these deposits (things left behind) moraines

Moraines We live right near a big moraine called the “Oak Ridges Moraine” This

Moraines We live right near a big moraine called the “Oak Ridges Moraine” This moraine has great soil for growing crops!

2) Continental Glaciers Cover large areas of land Moves because it is SO heavy

2) Continental Glaciers Cover large areas of land Moves because it is SO heavy It spreads outwards from the center. We call this the Zone of Accumulation Smoothes (flattens) the landscape by eroding high points and filling in lower parts http: //www. swisseduc. ch/glaciers/glossary/icons/glacier-advance. jpg

2) Continental Glaciers These glaciers can also make lakes deeper and wider The Great

2) Continental Glaciers These glaciers can also make lakes deeper and wider The Great Lakes were formed this way The Canadian Shield was also formed this way Today, this type of glacier only exists in Greenland Antarctica. http: //www. novaspace. com/POSTERS/PHOTO/Great. Lakes. jpeg

ICE AGE! There have been a few times in history when the climate of

ICE AGE! There have been a few times in history when the climate of the earth is cooler than usual Creates many glaciers This causes a glacial period, or an “ice age”

ICE AGE! The most recent Ice Age ended 6, 000 years ago It had

ICE AGE! The most recent Ice Age ended 6, 000 years ago It had lasted for almost 100, 000 years Canada was covered by ice sheets which were 4 km thick Fact: An ice sheet is more than 50, 000 km²

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

The Columbia Icefield http: //www-mtl. mit. edu/~fana/Alaska_trip/Icefield_pwky/columbia_01_medium. jpg

Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. How are glaciers formed? How do glaciers

Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. How are glaciers formed? How do glaciers move? What are the main differences between an Alpine and Continental Glacier? Where can we find glaciers today? Which areas of Canada were shaped by Glaciation? How were the Great Lakes formed?