Riegel (glacial)
Encyclopedia
A riegel is a German term that describes traverse ridges of bedrock
that have been exposed by glacial erosion. They are also known as rock bars, thresholds, and verrous. They are found in glaciated valleys, and are often associated with waterfall
s and zones of rapids when streams are present. When multiple riegels are stacked in a series they are referred to as a glacial stairway.
Most riegels can be identified by having smooth faces on the up-valley sides, while the down-valley sides show signs of having been plucked (which means that it has been eroded by the removal of rocks and blocks from the bedrock).
Bedrock
In stratigraphy, bedrock is the native consolidated rock underlying the surface of a terrestrial planet, usually the Earth. Above the bedrock is usually an area of broken and weathered unconsolidated rock in the basal subsoil...
that have been exposed by glacial erosion. They are also known as rock bars, thresholds, and verrous. They are found in glaciated valleys, and are often associated with waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
s and zones of rapids when streams are present. When multiple riegels are stacked in a series they are referred to as a glacial stairway.
Most riegels can be identified by having smooth faces on the up-valley sides, while the down-valley sides show signs of having been plucked (which means that it has been eroded by the removal of rocks and blocks from the bedrock).