This investigation will help you to:

1. Develop a hypothesis and test a model related to how glaciers change the landscape during glacier advance, stillstand, and retreat.
2. Evaluate the results of your model of glacial erosion and deposition against research on real glaciers.
3. Understand that glaciers are masses of ice that flow under their own weight.
4. Explain how the former extent of glaciers in a region can be inferred from the evidence they leave.
5. Explain how glacial erosion and deposition involve the geosphere, the atmosphere, and the hydrosphere.

Ice Retreat
Illinois State Museum

Animation on ice retreat that took place North America over 16,000 years ago.

Ice Retreat
TERC

Observe the retreat of ice sheets in North America

Glacier Erosion
TERC

Observe how glaciers erode bedrock surfaces.

Seasonal Migration of Snow
TERC

Observe the seasonal migration of snow cover.