Ijsgedragen

Ijsgedragen is a Dutch term that translates to "ice-borne" or "carried by ice." It describes phenomena, geological features, or processes that are directly or indirectly caused by the movement and presence of glaciers or ice sheets. This can encompass a wide range of geological actions, including the transportation of rocks and sediment, the shaping of landscapes, and the deposition of materials.

When glaciers move, they scrape and pick up rocks, soil, and other debris from the ground. This material, known as glacial till, is then carried along with the ice. Upon melting, this debris is deposited, forming landforms such as moraines, drumlins, and eskers. The immense weight and abrasive power of ice also carve out valleys, cirques, and fjords, dramatically altering the Earth's surface.

The term "ijsgedragen" can also refer to specific types of deposits or landforms. For instance, ice-contact stratified drift refers to sediments deposited by meltwater streams flowing within, under, or adjacent to glacial ice. The presence of erratic boulders, large rocks transported far from their origin by glaciers, is another clear indicator of ijsgedragen processes. Understanding these ice-borne features is crucial for reconstructing past glacial extents and climates.