Can you identify ways in which the erosion effects of glacier differ from those of rivers?

Answer 1

I'm sure that rivers cause erosion by getting in cracks of rocks and when they freeze, it expands and crumbles the rock but im not exactly sure so don't count on me!!! that's just my opinion!!

Answer 2

Erosion by rivers is faster because the processes carried out by rivers are far faster; for example, a river meander may move to the other side of the valley in a decade, yet a glacial trough may not widen by a single centimeter in the same time. However, you should also note that the landscapes caused by glaciers can form in a shorter period of time, and be far more impressive, but this is not the rule.
You will also notice that the features caused by glacial erosion are a lot cruder than those from rivers: compare the Grand Canyon and any glacial trough, the one I know best is Nant Ffrancon in Snowdonia, though I'm sure there's another near you. You can see that the Grand Canyon is far rougher, but also more intricate: there are stacks, as well as other features (as I am not particularly familiar with the Canyon). Nant Ffrancon, on the other hand it just a simple trough - a U-shaped valley. It is very different.

You may also note that glacial erosion is greatly affected by weathering. It was pointed out to me that one side of Nant Ffrancon was steeper than the other. This is as a result of the sun causing more melting of the ice on one side than the other. A river acts quickly and so is not nearly as affected by such factors, if at all affected.

Answer 3

There are a number of factors that cause rivers to erode, but the biggest one is the one that inherently goes with rivers: Running water. Running water slowly eats away at the hardest stone of riverbeds(look at the Grand Canyon), carrying away particles of sediment that are too small to see. Eventually, the river will get deeper and deeper until something like a ravine or valley or valley or canyon is formed. These processes take millions of years( one of the reasons the grand canyon is so old), and produce breathtaking results.

Answer 4

the left overs become really dry and becomes like dust almost dry

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In cross-section: Rivers create 'V' shaped valleys, while glaciers create 'U' shaped valleys.

Answer 5

Glaciers are large ice pieces floating in the rivers. While riversare made of melted snow.