Sediments deposited by glaciers, known as till, are typically unsorted and range in size from fine silt to large boulders, reflecting the glacier’s dynamic movement and melting processes. In contrast, river-deposited sediments, or alluvium, are usually well sorted and stratified, as flowing water tends to separate particles by size and weight. This results in distinct layers and finer materials like sand and silt being more prevalent in river deposits. Overall, the key difference lies in the sorting and texture of the sediments, with glacial deposits being more heterogeneous compared to the more uniform nature of river deposits.
Common sediments produced by glaciers include till (unsorted mixture of rocks and sediment), moraine (deposits of till), outwash (sorted sediments deposited by meltwater), and glacial erratics (large boulders transported by glaciers from distant locations).
Glacial ice is the most probable agent of erosion that deposited unsorted sediments in deposit B. Glaciers can transport a wide range of sediment sizes and mix them together as they move, resulting in unsorted sediments.
An annually deposited sedimentary layer is called a varve. Originally the word referred only to those annual layers of sediment deposited in a lake by glaciers, but now the more general use is accepted. Another term used in the literature is "annually laminated."
Water can deposit sediment such as sand, silt, and clay. Wind can deposit smaller particles like sand and dust. Melting glaciers can deposit a mixture of rocks, sediments, and debris known as moraines.
Outwash plains are formed by the deposition of sediments carried by meltwater streams from glaciers. As the glacier retreats, the sediments are deposited in a broad, flat area in front of the glacier. These sediments are typically sorted by size, with larger particles deposited closer to the glacier and smaller particles carried further away.
Sediments in outwash are typically well-sorted and composed of sand and gravel, deposited by meltwater streams flowing from glaciers. In contrast, sediments in moraines are unsorted and contain a mix of various sizes of rocks, debris, and till that has been directly deposited by the glacier. Outwash sediments are usually sorted by size and shape, while moraine sediments are unsorted and show a wider range of material types.
Sediments are deposited mainly due to the action of gravity, erosion, and transportation mechanisms such as water, wind, and glaciers. As these agents move sediment particles, they eventually settle in locations where the energy of the transporting agent decreases, like riverbeds, lake bottoms, or the ocean floor. Once the energy decreases sufficiently, the sediment particles are no longer kept in suspension and are deposited.
Examples of ice age sediments include till, glacial erratic rocks, moraines, and outwash plains. These sediments were deposited by glaciers during the last ice age and can be found in regions that were once covered by ice sheets.
glaciers as they advance and retreat. They are composed of a mixture of rocks, boulders, and sediments that have been transported and deposited by the moving ice. These deposits can help scientists understand the history and movements of glaciers in a particular area.
Glacial plains are formed by the deposition of sediments carried by glaciers as they advance and retreat. When glaciers move, they pick up rocks, soil, and other materials, which are then deposited when the glacier melts. Over time, these deposited materials accumulate to create flat, wide expanses of land known as glacial plains.
Glaciers are large bodies of ice that move slowly over the land. In Canada, glaciers have carved out landscapes, forming valleys, lakes, and mountains. They have also deposited sediments, shaping the country's terrain and contributing to its rich biodiversity.
Most of the best agricultural soils in the US occur in areas that were formerly covered by glaciers. The glaciers deposited nutrient-rich sediments that created fertile soil suitable for farming.