Earth

How do winding ridges of sand and gravel form beneath glaciers?

When rivers flowing through ice tunnels deposit sediment that remains after the glacier melts. Meltwater can race through long channels inside or beneath a glacier. The stream carries sand and gravel and drops material along its bed. When the surrounding ice disappears, the old river deposit remains as a narrow, twisting ridge.

Illustration of winding ridges of sand and gravel form beneath glaciers for the question "How do winding ridges of sand and gravel form beneath glaciers?"
Public mode