glacial erratic
Ice-transported stone
A glacial erratic is a boulder or large rock transported by a glacier and deposited far from its place of origin.
These rocks often differ dramatically in composition from the surrounding bedrock, making them conspicuous features in landscapes: The granite erratic sat incongruously on the limestone plain.
Erratics provide evidence of ancient glacier movements and ice age geography.
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
- gneissFoliated metamorphic rock
- quartziteMetamorphic silica-rich stone
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- sandstoneCemented grain sediment
monolith · perched · balanced · outcrop · bedrock · igneous · metamorphic · sedimentary
Glacier-deposited debris pile
- drumlinStreamlined glacial hill
- outwashGlacier meltwater sediment
- tillRegister drawer for money
- eskerSerpentine glacial gravel deposit
fjord · cirque · U-shaped valley · kettle · striation · grooves · polish · deposition
Placed for safekeeping
- strandedLeft without means to leave
- displacedShifted from proper location
- carriedMoved while holding
- driftedMoved without aim
dropped · lodged · plucked · quarried · entrained · bulldozed · pushed · dragged
Ancient glacial geological period
- HoloceneCurrent geological epoch
- ice sheetThick glacial landmass covering
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- paleoclimatePast geological climate conditions
megafauna · mammoth · tundra · cryosphere · quaternary · paleoecology · retreat · advance
Puzzling and obscure
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- out-of-placeNot fitting the surroundings
- incongruousNot fitting together harmoniously
curiosity · landmark · folklore · legend · sacred stone · ancient · unexplained · striking
granite
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
- gneissFoliated metamorphic rock
- quartziteMetamorphic silica-rich stone
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
sandstone · monolith · perched · balanced · outcrop · bedrock · igneous · metamorphic · sedimentary · mineralogy
moraine
Glacier-deposited debris pile
esker · fjord · cirque · U-shaped valley · kettle · striation · grooves · polish · deposition · sediment
deposited
Placed for safekeeping
drifted · dropped · lodged · plucked · quarried · entrained · bulldozed · pushed · dragged · tumbled
Pleistocene
Ancient glacial geological period
- HoloceneCurrent geological epoch
- ice sheetThick glacial landmass covering
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
paleoclimate · megafauna · mammoth · tundra · cryosphere · quaternary · paleoecology · retreat · advance · meltwater
enigmatic
Puzzling and obscure
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- out-of-placeNot fitting the surroundings
incongruous · curiosity · landmark · folklore · legend · sacred stone · ancient · unexplained · striking · conspicuous
wander, erratic, glacial, glacier, erratically, glaciation, glaciate, glaciology, glaciated