Moraine - GCSE Geography Definition

A moraine is a pile of rocks and soil (till) that has been pushed along and left behind by a moving glacier. When glaciers move, they pick up bits of earth and rock from underneath or alongside the glacier, or freeze-thaw weathering causes rock to fall onto the glacier. As the glacier melts and retreats, it drops these materials, creating long, mound-like ridges. Moraines can form in different shapes and sizes. There are three main types of moraine: lateral moraines are found along the sides of the glacier, medial moraines are found in the middle, and terminal moraines are found at the end. They are important in showing where glaciers have been and help us learn about the Earth’s history and past climate changes.