CIRQUE GLACIER Meaning and
Definition
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A cirque glacier is a type of glacier that forms in high mountainous regions, typically found in cirques. A cirque is a steep-sided, bowl-shaped hollow in the side of a mountain or valley that is carved out by glacial erosion. These hollows are often formed by the accumulation and movement of snow and ice over long periods of time.
A cirque glacier is characterized by its shape and location, as it is confined within the boundaries of a cirque. This type of glacier is typically small in size compared to larger glacier systems, and its shape is similar to that of the cirque it resides in. Cirque glaciers are usually fed by snow that accumulates within the cirque, which then gradually transforms into ice.
Cirque glaciers are recognized for their steep, almost vertical, walls which can be hundreds of meters high. These walls are created through the erosive power of the glacier as it moves downslope, gradually wearing away the surrounding rock and widening the cirque. The glacier flows slowly downwards due to gravity, often resulting in the formation of a glacier tongue or snout at its lowest point.
These glaciers play a significant role in high mountain ecosystems, providing a source of freshwater as they melt during warmer seasons. They also contribute to the overall fluvial system by transporting sediment downhill, shaping the surrounding landscape over time.
Common Misspellings for CIRQUE GLACIER
- xirque glacier
- virque glacier
- firque glacier
- dirque glacier
- curque glacier
- cjrque glacier
- ckrque glacier
- corque glacier
- c9rque glacier
- c8rque glacier
- cieque glacier
- cidque glacier
- cifque glacier
- citque glacier
- ci5que glacier
- ci4que glacier
- cir1ue glacier
- cir2ue glacier
- cirwue glacier
- ciraue glacier
Etymology of CIRQUE GLACIER
The word "cirque" comes from the French language, where it originally meant "circus" or "arena". It was later adopted in English to refer to a type of mountain feature typically formed by glacial erosion. The word "glacier", on the other hand, derives from the Old French word "glace", meaning "ice". The term "cirque glacier" refers to a specific type of glacier that forms in a cirque, which is a bowl-shaped depression in the side of a mountain.
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