GEOGRAPHY OPTIONAL – PAPER I
PAGE 5 : GLACIAL LANDFORMS
UPSC / UPPSC Geography Optional
Shaktimatha 369 Learning
1. Meaning of Glacial Processes
Glacial processes refer to the action of moving ice in shaping landforms through erosion, transportation and deposition in high latitude and high altitude regions.
Exam Importance: Highly diagram-based + frequent PYQs
2. Types of Glaciers
- Valley (Alpine) Glaciers – confined to valleys
- Continental Glaciers – ice sheets covering large areas
- Piedmont Glaciers – spread at foothills
3. Glacial Erosion
Major Erosional Processes
- Plucking – removal of rock blocks
- Abrasion – grinding action by rock debris
Erosional Landforms
(a) Cirque (Corrie)
- Bowl-shaped depression
- Origin of valley glaciers
(b) Arêtes
- Sharp knife-edged ridges
(c) Horns
- Pyramidal peaks
- Example: Matterhorn
(d) U-shaped Valleys
- Wide, flat valley floors
- Converted V-shaped valleys
Diagram Mandatory: Cirque → Arête → Horn sequence
4. Hanging Valleys & Fjords
- Hanging Valleys – tributary valleys above main valley
- Fjords – submerged glacial valleys
5. Glacial Transportation
- Supraglacial load
- Englacial load
- Subglacial load
Transportation capacity depends on ice thickness, velocity and gradient.
6. Depositional Landforms
(a) Moraines
- Lateral moraine
- Medial moraine
- Terminal moraine
- Ground moraine
(b) Drumlins
- Oval-shaped hills
- Steep side upstream, gentle downstream
(c) Eskers
- Sinuous ridges
- Deposited by subglacial streams
(d) Outwash Plains
- Formed by meltwater deposition
7. Glacial Cycles & Climate Change
- Glacial advance & retreat cycles
- Linked with climatic fluctuations
- Present glacier retreat indicates warming
Current Relevance: Himalayan glacier retreat & water security
8. Answer Writing Strategy
- Define glacier type
- Add neat labelled diagrams
- Use examples (Himalayas / Alps)
- Link with climate change
Golden Rule: Two small diagrams > long explanations
PYQ Orientation
- Cirque–Arête–Horn relationship
- Difference between fluvial & glacial valleys
- Depositional landforms of glaciers
NEXT PAGE
Geography Optional – Page 6:
Aeolian Landforms (Wind Erosion & Deposition)
End of Geography Optional – Page 5
Shaktimatha 369 Learning
UPSC / UPPSC Geography Optional – Complete Master Library
Shaktimatha 369 Learning
Paper–I & Paper–II | Concepts • Diagrams • PYQs • Answer Writing
📍 PART–A : Physical Geography
- Geography Optional Overview & Strategy
- Earth Origin & Plate Tectonics
- Geomorphic Processes (Endogenic & Exogenic)
- Fluvial Landforms
- Glacial Landforms
- Aeolian Landforms
- Coastal & Marine Landforms
🌦️ PART–B : Climatology
- Atmospheric Structure
- Insolation & Heat Budget
- Atmospheric Circulation & Winds
- Moisture, Clouds & Precipitation
- Köppen Climate Classification
🌊 PART–C : Oceanography
- Ocean Relief & Temperature
- Salinity, Density & Ocean Currents
- Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction & Fisheries
🌱 PART–D : Biogeography & Soils
🏘️ PART–E : Human Geography
- Population Distribution & Migration
- Demographic Transition & Policies
- Settlement Geography (Rural & Urban)
🏭 PART–F : Economic Geography
🌍 PART–G : Regional, Environmental & Political Geography
- Regional Planning & Development
- Environmental Geography & Sustainability
- Political Geography & Geopolitics
- Social Geography
🛰️ PART–H : Applied Geography
📚 COMPLETE UPSC / UPPSC STUDY HUB
End of Geography Optional Master Library
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