| Term: | Glacial retreat |
| Definition: |
When the position of a mountain glacier's terminus is farther upvalley than before; occurs when a glacier ablates more material at its terminus than it transports into that region. NSIDCCryosphere
Glacial retreat is the net movement of the glacier terminus upvalley. Retreat results when the glacier is ablating at a rate faster than its movement downvalley. Retreating termini are usually concave in shape. The backwards movement of the snout of a glacier. PhysicalGeography GCW |