Glacial Erosion Two major erosional processes occur at the base of a glacier . At the base of a glacier, large amounts of rock and sediments are incorporated into the glacier's ice. The material in the ice then acts as an abrasive agent when combined with glacier movement. This process is known as scouring . Scouring creates a variety of features.
Striations appear as scratches of various size on rock surfaces.
In some cases, abrasion can polish the surface of some rock types smooth. This geomorphic feature is known as glacial polish . The abrasive action of scouring also produces a fine clay -sized sediment that is often transported away from the glacier by meltwater . As a result of this process, glacial meltwater can have a light, cloudy appearance, and is called glacial milk . Glacial striations, Lac Blanchet, Canada.