Show how two different factors influence processes of glacial erosion.

One factor that influences processes of glacial erosion is the amount of material being transported by the glacier, especially material being carried sub-glacially and at the sides of the glacier (laterally). This concentration of material being transported will particularly effect the rate of erosion for processes such as abrasion, which erodes the bedrock at the interface between the ice and the rock with glacial material as it moves. Due to this factor, the rate of abrasion increases with basal material concentration as an increased amount of material provides more erosive potential. Likewise, a lack of material means less potential for abrasion. Another factor that influences glacial erosion, is the thermal conditions of the glacial environment. This factor is influential on the type of erosion that occurs. Different glacial environments and their temperatures will thus, be likely to have different erosion processes taking place. Polar glaciers for example may experience less, to no abrasion due to the scarcity of meltwater supply and subsequent lack of basal sliding. However low temperatures and lack of meltwater lubrication hindering friction may lead to increase favourable conditions for plucking.

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Answered by Eleanor G. Geography tutor

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