Meltwater and Landscape

Abstract

In addition to the glacial processes meltwater forms the landscape as well. It also transports and deposits rock materials in different particle sizes. It erodes rocks in different ways and is flattening rock fragments, which themselves provide rock abrasion. The melted water works hand in hand with the glaciers. Some speak therefore of “fluvioglacial” erosion and deposition. If these processes are happening outside of the glacier instead, it is called “glacialfluvial.” In scientific literature, there is often the synonymous use of the two terms (Fig. 9.1).