How does glaciation influence the landscape?

Glaciation significantly influences the landscape primarily through the processes of erosion and deposition of sediments. When glaciers advance, they carve out the terrain, shaping valleys, creating fjords, and sculpting mountain ranges. This process of erosion is impactful as it removes material from the landscape, transforming it dramatically over time.

As glaciers move, they carry a large amount of debris and sediment. When they ultimately recede, they deposit these materials in various forms, such as moraines, drumlins, and outwash plains. This sediment distribution not only alters the topography but also influences the ecosystem and soil development in the newly formed landscape. Therefore, the interaction between erosion and deposition due to glaciation is a fundamental mechanism that shapes and redefines geographic features.