Final answer:
Glacial deposits made by meltwater are described as stratified, due to the sorting and layering of materials as a result of varying flow velocities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glacial deposits made by meltwater are described as stratified. This is because as glaciers melt, the meltwater carries sediments with it, sorting them by size and depositing them in layers. This layering effect, or stratification, occurs due to the varying currents and velocities of the flowing meltwater, which is capable of transporting different sized particles, ranging from boulders to fine silts. As the flow velocity decreases, larger particles settle first, followed by smaller sediments, creating layers of material that are organized by size and density – a process similar to graded bedding in a river environment.
Sedimentary rocks such as conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and shale, which can all be found in areas like Southern Patagonia, Argentina, typically display such stratification. Similarly, graded bedding is observed in environments where transport energy decreases over time, which is analogous to how glacial meltwater deposits its load. Thus, these glacial deposits display layers and sorting of materials, hence the term stratified is the correct description.