Moraine – Frost-shattered rock debris and material eroded from a valley's floor and sides, transported and deposited by glaciers

(Pronounced muh-reyn)

To remember the meaning of the term Moraine, use the following mnemonic:

Not more terrain (moraine) to shift! I'm fed up with having to move and deposit large pieces of rock.

A moraine is an accumulation of loose (unconsolidated) debris – dirt and pieces of rock – that is carried along by a glacier and deposited at some point during the glacier's journey. There are three main types of moraine:

Lateral moraine

Material that is deposited along both sides of the glacier, usually comprising weathered material that has fallen from the valley sides.

Medial moraine

This type is made up of material deposited in the middle of a glacier that has been formed by the merging of two glaciers. The lateral moraines of the two glaciers are brought together as the glaciers merge into one (see diagram above). 

Terminal moraine

Material that is deposited at the front end of the glacier.