ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Glacier morphology

Glaciers are like really big blocks of ice that move slowly down mountains or across flat land. The way a glacier looks on the outside is called its morphology. This means the shape and features of the glacier.

Just like every person has their own unique face, every glacier has its own unique morphology. This depends on how the glacier was formed, where it is located, and the climate around it.

Glaciers can have different shapes, like U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys, arete ridges, and cirques. A U-shaped valley looks like a big, wide ditch that is shaped like the letter U. Hanging valleys are places where smaller glaciers meet bigger ones, but they sit higher up because they didn't dig as deep into the earth. Arete ridges are like big, sharp scoops that are sometimes created by glaciers moving through narrow areas. Cirques are like little amphitheaters that can be found near the tops of hills or mountains, created by glaciers wearing away at the rock in those areas.

Glaciers also leave behind certain features as they move, like crevasses and moraines. Crevasses are like big cracks that can form in the center of a glacier. They're really dangerous because they can be hard to see and can cause the glacier to break apart. Moraines are piles of rocks and dirt that get pushed along by the glacier. They can be at the edges of the glacier, and they stay there when the glacier melts away.

So, in summary, glacier morphology is all about the unique shape and features of a glacier, which depend on how it was formed, where it is located, and the climate around it. From U-shaped valleys to crevasses and moraines, every glacier has its own face, just like you!