What Are Moraines, the Rubble Ridges Left by Melting Glaciers?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What are moraines, the rubble ridges left by melting glaciers?

The Big Idea

Moraines are rubble ridges left behind by glaciers. As a glacier moves, it carries stones, gravel, and dust. When it melts or stops, it drops everything it was carrying.

Ice Carries a Load

Step one: a glacier carries a load. Ice scrapes up stones, gravel, and fine dust, and rock also tumbles onto it from above. It carries all of this along like a very slow conveyor belt.

Ice Drops It

Step two: the ice drops the load. When a glacier melts or stops moving, the rubble stays behind. Some forms ridges along the sides, and some piles up at the front end.

Clues and Lakes

Step three: moraines are clues. They show how far the ice used to reach. Some moraines act as dams that hold lakes, like Lake Louise in Banff National Park.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at moraines! Some moraines run along the sides of a glacier. Others pile up at its front end. Together they mark where the ice used to reach. And some form dams that hold back lakes.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Lake Louise in Banff National Park is held in by a moraine. Moraines can be made of boulders, gravel, and dust. Geologists use them to map where old glaciers flowed. Admire moraines from the trail, and stay off loose rubble.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Fill a tray with sand. Push a ruler slowly through it. See the ridges that form on each side. Imagine a glacier doing the same thing.

Outro

Moraines are a glacier's leftover pile. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!