Glacial arch

Glacial arch is a natural bridge made of ice. Here is a picture of a glacial arch formed at the base of the Briksdalsbreen glacier which is a small arm of Jostedalsbreen — the largest glacier in continental Europe.

These archs form because something preferentially melts the ice where the arch will form. It is running water in most cases. Here you can see that there is a debris slope behind the arch. So there is lots of running water in rainy days. And it rains a lot in Norway.

Glacial arch
Glacial arch at the edge of the Briksdalsbreen glacier.

Briksdalsbreen
Briksdalsbreen glacier. An arm of Jostedalsbreen – the largest glacier in continental Europe.


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