oldalmorénák

Oldalmorénák, also known as lateral moraines, are geological landforms created by the erosional and depositional action of glaciers. They are typically found along the sides of a glaciated valley, running parallel to the valley walls.

These ridges of debris are formed as the glacier slowly moves downhill. Rocks and soil are scraped from the valley sides by the ice and incorporated into the glacier's edges. As the glacier retreats or melts, this accumulated material is left behind in the form of linear mounds. The material composing a lateral moraine can range from fine sediment to large boulders, depending on what the glacier has eroded.

Lateral moraines are distinctive features that indicate the past presence and extent of a glacier. They can vary in size and prominence, with larger glaciers often leaving more substantial lateral moraines. Over time, vegetation may colonize these moraine deposits, further altering their appearance. In some cases, two lateral moraines from the same glacier can merge as the ice melts, forming a medial moraine in the center of the valley. Studying lateral moraines provides valuable insights into glacial dynamics and the history of a region's landscape evolution.