Cirques

Question 1

What is a cirque?

Answer 1

Armchair shaped hollow formed by glacial erosion of a nivation hollow

Question 2

Processes which deepen hollow

Answer 2

Nivation
Freeze thaw
Melting snow

Question 3

How does a cirque form over time?

Answer 3

Accumulation
Compaction

Question 4

Preferred cirque orientation

Answer 4

North East facing slopes
Sun protection
High accumulation
Low ablation

Question 5

Back of the cirque

Answer 5

Freeze thaw
Loose material
Plucking
Steep + jagged headwall

Question 6

Aretes

Answer 6

Narrow knife edged ridge
Headward erosion of neighboring cirques

Question 7

Pyramidal Peak

Answer 7

Headward erosion of 3+ cirques

Question 8

End of cirque life cycle

Answer 8

Cirque lake forms in hollow