ClimateAugust 31, 2026

cirques

SURKS

Definition

A steep, bowl-shaped basin or amphitheater-like valley head eroded into the side of a mountain by glacial activity.

Etymology

Derived from the French word 'cirque,' which traces back to the Latin 'circus' meaning 'circle' or 'ring.' It was adopted into geography to describe the circular shape of these glacial landforms.

In the news

The article mentions cirques as locations where heavy snowfall accumulates and compresses into glacial ice, serving as the high-altitude starting points for hanging glaciers.

Hanging Glaciers: Formation, Features & Climate Change Risks

Read the full article ↗

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