Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ated—called a
horn.
Switzerland's Matterhorn (visible—barely—from the Aiguille
duMidi)istheworld'smostfamousexample.Glaciersfloweddownallsidesofthis
mountain, scooping material away as they went to leave its distinctive sharp peak.
A common feature left behind by retreating glaciers is a
moraine,
a pile of dirt
and rocks that was carried along on the glacier as it advanced, then was dumped as
the glacier melted (plainly visible around the Mer de Glace).
Alpineglacierscanonlyoriginateabovethesnowline,soifyouseeanyofthese
landforms (U-shaped valleys, cirques, horns, or moraines) in lower elevations, you
know that the climate there used to be colder. The effects of a warming climate
