What Is a Moulin?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is a moulin?

The Big Idea

A moulin is a deep, narrow shaft in a glacier where meltwater pours down! The word moulin means mill in French. It acts like a giant drain in the ice, carrying water to the bottom.

Water Gathers

Step one: water gathers. In summer, sunshine melts the glacier's surface, and meltwater makes streams. The streams flow across the ice until they find a crack, and then they disappear.

Down the Shaft

Step two: down the shaft. The water pours into the crack, and wears it into a deep, narrow shaft. It can drop hundreds of feet to the bottom of the ice.

Under the Glacier

Step three: under the glacier. At the bottom, the water flows along the base of the glacier, sometimes helping it slide. Some of it eventually reaches the sea.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! A stream of bright, cold meltwater runs across the ice. It pours into a deep shaft. The water flows along the base of the glacier. These shafts are dangerous, so only trained scientists with safety gear study them.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The word moulin means mill in French. Moulins can be hundreds of feet deep, and sound like a roaring waterfall. Scientists study them from a safe distance, using cameras and instruments. Never go near the edges of a glacier.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Pour water through a funnel into a bowl, at a sink with a grown-up. Watch how it swirls down. A moulin acts like a drain in the ice. Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

A moulin drains meltwater through a glacier. Stay safe and stay curious! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!