• Natural Sciences -> Geology and paleontology

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How do glaciers contribute to the formation of mountains?

Wilbert Stidston

Glaciers are big chunks of ice that form on top of mountains. They are so heavy that they can crush rocks and change the shape of the mountain over time. Glaciers move very slowly down the mountain, scraping the rocks and dirt underneath them. As they move, they create deep valleys and smooth the sharp edges of the rocks.

Over millions of years, the constant movement of glaciers formed some of the biggest mountains in the world, like the Himalayas. Glaciers can also erode the bottom of the mountain, creating a U-shaped valley, which is different from a V-shaped valley caused by a river.

Glaciers can also move rocks and debris on top of them and deposit them somewhere else, which is called glacial deposition. When the glacier melts, it leaves behind piles of rocks and dirt called moraines, which can also contribute to the formation of mountains.

So, in summary, glaciers contribute to the formation of mountains by eroding and shaping the rock and dirt underneath them over millions of years, creating deep valleys and flattening mountain tops. They also move rocks and debris and deposit them in different spots, which can create moraines that add to the overall size of the mountain.