Moraines

Moraines are masses of debris found on glaciers. Stones and rocks are constantly falling from the sides of the mountains on to the glacier, and form a fringe of rubbish all along the edge of the ice. These fringes are the lateral moraines. When two glaciers meet, the adjoining lateral moraines of each unite to form one; and, as the double glacier moves slowly on its downward path, the mass of debris is carried with it, so that a central line of stones, etc., or a medial moraine extends to the end of this ice river. . As the stories come to the glacier's mouth, the ice melts from under them, and they are left to form constantly-increasing heaps and ridges, known as terminal moraines.