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What factors influence a glacier's ability to erode?

User Yves Lange
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Final answer:

The glacier's ability to erode is influenced by its weight and size, temperature and melting conditions that facilitate movement, the land's topography, and the presence and function of water as a lubricant. The glacier's velocity and the composition of the ground also play important roles in its erosive power.

Step-by-step explanation:

What Factors Influence a Glacier's Ability to Erode?


Glaciers are powerful agents of erosion capable of shaping landscapes through the transportation and deposition of sediments. Several factors influence a glacier's erosive power, which include:

  • The weight and size of the glacier: Larger and heavier glaciers exert more pressure on the earth, leading to more intense erosion.
  • Temperature and melting conditions: Warmer temperatures can increase melting at the glacier's base, leading to lubrication that assists glacial movement.
  • Topography of the land: Glaciers erode more effectively in areas with steep slopes or undulating terrain.
  • The presence of water: Meltwater can act as a lubricant, facilitating the movement of glaciers, which in turn enhances their capacity to erode.


The velocity of the glacier also dictates its erosive capability. Fast-moving ice can transport larger debris, contributing to greater erosion. Moreover, the composition and hardness of the ground beneath a glacier affect the rate of erosion; softer rocks like sandstone erode more readily than harder rocks like granite.

User Tutuchan
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