outwash plain

views updated May 17 2018

outwash plain(sandur, pl. sandar) An extensive accumulation of rock debris built up by outwash in front of a glacier. Its constituents are very coarse close to the ice, and diminish in size further away. Its surface may be dissected by braided channels. Fossil outwash plains are found at the margins of many Pleistocene glaciers. The name ‘sandur’ is Icelandic.

outwash plain

views updated May 08 2018

outwash plain (sandur, pl. sandar) Extensive accumulation of rock debris built up by outwash in front of a glacier. Its constituents are very coarse close to the ice, and diminish in size further away. Its surface may be dissected by braided channels. Fossil outwash plains are found at the margins of many Pleistocene glaciers. The name ‘sandur’ is Icelandic.