jäätikkölaaksoja

Jäätikkölaaksot, or glacial valleys, are landforms created by the erosional power of glaciers. As a glacier moves, it carves out a U-shaped valley with steep sides and a relatively flat bottom. This contrasts with river valleys, which are typically V-shaped. The immense weight and slow movement of ice are responsible for this distinctive morphology.

These valleys are often much larger and deeper than the rivers that may flow through them today. Evidence of glacial action can be seen in the polished bedrock surfaces, striations, and the presence of glacial erratics, which are rocks transported and deposited by the ice far from their origin. Many fjords are classic examples of glacially carved valleys that have been flooded by the sea.

The formation of a glacial valley is a long process that can take thousands of years. As a glacier expands, it erodes the pre-existing landscape, widening and deepening existing valleys or creating new ones. When the climate warms and the glacier retreats, meltwater often fills the valley, forming a river or lake. The distinctive U-shape is a persistent reminder of the glacier's passage. Glacial valleys are significant features in many mountainous and polar regions around the world.