Glacial Landscapes

Physical Geography: Glacial Landscapes

Learning about glacial landscapes helps KS3 Geography students understand how glaciers form in cold climates and how they move slowly under their own weight, shaping the land as they go. Through studying glacial processes—such as erosion by plucking and abrasion, and deposition of material through till and moraine—students can identify how impressive landforms like U-shaped valleys, corries, arêtes, and drumlins are created.

They also explore the concept of glacial budgets, learning how a glacier grows or shrinks depending on the balance between snowfall and melting. This topic highlights the powerful role glaciers have played in shaping upland landscapes, especially in parts of the UK like the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands.

Students also examine how these areas are used today for tourism, farming, and water supply, and reflect on the lasting impact of glacial processes on both the physical environment and human activity.

This KS3 Physical Geography: Glacial Landscapes module will enable students to:​

• Understand how glaciers form, move, and shape the language
• Know the different erosional and depositional glacial processes
• Understand the concept of glacial budgets
• Identify different glacial landscape features
• Recognise the significance of glacial processes
• Know how glacial landscapes in the UK are utilised today.