By Vania Raebel | October 9, 2019
The Glacier’s Cushion
Glaciers may look graceful and exquisite, but don’t be deceived by their magical vibe: these bad boys are assassins. They don’t care what it is, when they advance, they crush whatever comes in their path. As they move, though, they also pick up a bunch of rocks and debris, which scientists called moraine. This sediment creates a cushioning effect that can prevent certain things from getting crushed as the glacier envelops them. This is why certain forests have been able to survive passing glaciers.
As the glacier travels, its moraine provides a protective buffer that cushions its impact against the objects in its path. So, despite being hit by a glacier, the forests left beneath may still survive. In fact, it is not uncommon to find entire forests re-emerging when glaciers recede. Good job, moraine, good job.
