Soramäet

Soramäet, meaning "gravel hills" or "gravel mounds" in Estonian, are geological formations primarily composed of gravel and sand. These features are typically found in glaciated landscapes, where they are formed by the deposition of glacial outwash or moraine material. The gravel and sand are carried by meltwater streams from retreating glaciers and deposited in stratified layers. Over time, these deposits can accumulate to form distinct topographical features such as ridges, hummocks, or elongated mounds.

The composition of soramäet varies depending on the source material of the glacier. They can contain a mix of different rock fragments, pebbles, and sand grains, often rounded by the abrasive action of water and ice. The size and sorting of these particles can provide clues about the energy of the water currents that formed them. Soramäet are important features for understanding past glacial environments and can sometimes serve as aquifers, storing significant amounts of groundwater.

In Estonia, soramäet are common in areas that were covered by ice sheets during the last glacial period. They can create varied landscapes, often supporting specific types of vegetation adapted to the well-drained, nutrient-poor soils. These formations are of ecological and geological interest, contributing to the unique character of the Estonian landscape.