005 - Carved by Ice

Activity One - Describe

This fantastic landscape was not just formed by the movement of water but also by the movement of ice. The last ice age ended in Yosemite approximately one million years ago. That glacial period is called the Sherwin and it produced the largest and longest valley glaciers. Watch the youtube clip below to find out about the tremendous power a glacier has to shape landscapes. When you have watched the clip answer the questions below.

1. What is a glacier? You can watch the first YouTube clip to answer this question.
2. Read the article below by National Geographic and write down three facts about glaciers that most interest you. Be prepared to justify your answer.
3. How do you think the ice shape the landscape in Yosemite? Have a look at the image below to help you and the second article in the 'Useful Resources' box.

Useful Resources

National Geographic for Kids - Glaciers

National Park Service - Geology

Activity Two - See/Think/Wonder

For this activity you are going to interrogate an image. You are going to describe what you 'See'. Then 'Think' about what you see - this is a statement. Then finally 'Wonder' about the image. The wondering can be completed as a series of questions. Collect a copy of the grid below to fill your answers in to.

Activity Three - Describe and Explain

We are now going to look at specific landforms that can be created by ice in glacial environments. Before we look at each individual one separately we are going to investigate how a Glacial Trough is formed as a group. To begin with complete points 1 and 2 below.

1. Collect a copy of the 'Glacial Landform' worksheet.
2. You will now need a pen and pencil. We will watch the Glacial Trough clip twice from 'Time for Geography' as a group. The first time you will watch and just be in awe of the power of ice! The second time through you will need to draw an image of a glacial trough and explain how they are formed. Don't panic if you don't get everything though as the two websites in the 'Useful Resources' box will help you to fill in any blanks.
3. Draw a diagram of each landform e.g. a cirque under the heading of cirque. Remember to label your diagrams.
4. Explain how each landform can be created next to your diagrams. This is a process.

Key Words

Try and use these key words in your explanations of how glacial landforms are created.

Weathering Erosion Deposition Freeze-Thaw Abrasion Plucking

Activity Four - Interpret

You have now learnt about four key landforms that are created in glacial environments. We are now going to try and identify these landforms from an interactive photograph. Use the 360 Degree image below answer the following questions:

1. What glacial landforms can you see in the image below?
2. What do you think will happen to these landforms in 100 years?

Activity Five - Management

Yosemite National Park is an amazing area of the world but it needs to be managed if it is going to be protected for future generations to also enjoy. Answer the questions below which explore why areas of natural beauty need to be managed.

1. Why is Yosemite National Park a wonderful place to visit?
2. What problems do humans cause to the National Park?
3. How could the damage be managed?
4. What do you think Yosemite National Park will be like in 100 years?

Useful Resource

Our National Park - Problems for Yosemite