rock glacier

noun

a mass of rock resembling a valley glacier that moves or is moved down a slope by its own weight or by the action of frost and interstitial ice.

First recorded in 1900–05

For decades, the rock glacier slid downhill just a few inches a year, creating small cracks in the road that required only sporadic maintenance.

The last half-mile of the Nisqually Glacier has the appearance more of a rock glacier than an ice glacier.

This slide had been temporarily changed into a rock glacier—a slow, down-sliding mass of confused broken rocks.

April 21, 2024absquatulate

[ab-skwoch-uh-leyt ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse