Author Question: Which machine is more analogous to the deposition of sediment at the front of a stationary glacier; ... (Read 94 times)

shenderson6 · **on:** Jul 16, 2018

Which machine is more analogous to the deposition of sediment at the front of a stationary glacier; a bulldozer or a conveyor belt? Why?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How do icebergs form?

What will be an ideal response?

soda0602 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 16, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A conveyor belt is the better analogy because end moraines form when internal glacial flow brings rock debris to the toe and upper surface of the glacier where it is then released when the ice melts. If the glacier is stationary for a long time, then the ice flow continually delivers sediment to the same locations to build up the moraine ridge.

Answer to Question 2

When glaciers flow into water, they continue to move along the seafloor or lakebed until the water is sufficiently deep that the ice floats. The buoyant lift of the ice into the water, along with agitation from waves and tides, causes blocks of the glacier to break off to form floating icebergs.