How Did the Matterhorn Get Its Pointed Shape?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How did the Matterhorn get its pointed shape?

The Big Idea

The Matterhorn in the Alps is a classic horn peak, and glaciers made its pointed shape! Long ago, ice formed on every side of the mountain and carved out bowl-shaped hollows. The rock left between the bowls became a sharp pyramid.

Glaciers on All Sides

Step one: glaciers on all sides. During cold ice ages, glaciers grew on every side of the mountain. Snow piled up and slowly turned into thick, heavy ice that crept downhill.

Carving Bowls

Step two: carving bowls. The moving ice carved bowl-shaped hollows called cirques. As the bowls cut deeper and wider, they ate into the mountain.

A Sharp Pyramid

Step three: a sharp pyramid. The rock between the bowls became a sharp, four-sided pyramid. Ice, wind, and weather still shape it today, and bits of rock fall from its steep sides.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Slow glaciers press against the mountain. They scoop and pluck out bowls in the rock. Steep faces are left between the bowls. And they meet in one sharp tip at the top.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! The Matterhorn is 14,692 feet tall. It stands in the Alps, on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Other horn peaks around the world, like Mount Assiniboine in Canada, were shaped the same way. Mountains this steep are for trained climbers only.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, carve a pointed peak from a bar of soap. Scrape away four sides with a spoon, like four glaciers. Wash your hands afterward, and enjoy your tiny mountain! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Glaciers carve bowls on every side and leave a sharp horn behind. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!