What are the two main ways that material can be deposited by meltwater from glaciation?

Study for the Ontario Grade 9 Geography Exam. Prepare with interactive quizzes and multiple choice questions; each question includes insightful hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Meltwater from glaciation plays a significant role in shaping landscapes through deposition processes. The two primary ways that material can be deposited by meltwater are through moving water and still water.

When meltwater flows rapidly over the landscape, it carries sediment and debris with it. This moving water can transport a variety of materials, including sand, silt, and clay, which are deposited when the velocity decreases, such as when the water enters a lake or a slower-moving river.

In contrast, still water environments, such as lakes formed by glacial melt, allow sediments to settle out of the water column. Over time, as the water remains motionless, materials accumulate in layers at the bottom, leading to the formation of sedimentary deposits.

Overall, the combination of these two mechanisms— the dynamic processes of moving water and the settling actions of still water—accurately reflects how meltwater contributes to the deposition of glacial materials in landscapes.

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