Glacial Geology | Quaternary Geology Section | Quaternary Geology Section Staff

Valley Train

Glacial drift over bedrock photo

This photo shows summer meltwater issuing from a glacier on Bylot Island in eastern Canada. Gravel and sand are deposited in bars to form a braided channel system called a valley train.














Glacial drift over bedrock photo

This photo shows the valley train further from the glacier margin. The interesting pattern shown in the lower left of the photo is patterned ground formed by freezing and thawing of the active layer in a permafrost area. Photos by W.H. Johnson.














Updated 09/17/2009 CAB

ILLINOIS STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
E. Donald McKay, III, Interim Director

Terms of use         Privacy Statement

© 2009 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. All rights reserved.
For permissions information, contact the Illinois State Geological Survey.