The final physical process that you will examine is glaciation. Glaciation is the modification of the land surface by the action of glaciers (large blocks of ice). Since glaciers move, they can pick up and transport rocks, just as in the physical process of erosion. Glaciers transport material and can melt, which means that they can also deposit material. Glaciated landscapes are the result of both glacial erosion and glacial deposits.

Image of a melting glacier

Source: Global Warming, Frederico Stevanin, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is an image of several miles of glaciers that have surfaced from the water; some parts appear to be on land/ice and other are submerged in water.

Source: Submarine Surfacing, Shad O 'Neel, U.S. Geological Survey

This is an image of several miles of glaciers that have surfaced from underwater. These glaciers are a part of the Yahtse Glacier in Alaska.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.

Photo of five blocks of ice in the form of small mountains sitting on the lake.

Source: Ice Wonderland, Florian Maldonado, U.S. Geological Survey

This is a photo of several small glaciers on Vitus Lake, Bering Glacier, Alaska.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.