glacial drainage channel

views updated May 17 2018

glacial drainage channel(meltwater channel) A channel cut by the action of glacial meltwater or by water from an ice-dammed lake (overflow channel). Various types may be recognized, classified by the position of the channel with reference to the glacier (e.g. ice-marginal, englacial, or subglacial). Usually these channels are steep-sided and flat-floored, and are unrelated to the present drainage pattern.

glacial drainage channel

views updated May 08 2018

glacial drainage channel (meltwater channel) Channel cut by the action of glacial meltwater or by water from an ice-dammed lake. Various types may be recognized, classified by the position of the channel with reference to the glacier, e.g. ice-marginal, englacial, or subglacial. Usually these channels are steep-sided and flat-floored, and are unrelated to the present drainage pattern.

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