superglacial

[soo-per-gley-shuhl]

adjective

1. on the surface of a glacier.

2. believed to have been formerly on the surface of a glacier.

   superglacial debris.

superglacial

/ ˌsuːpəˈɡleɪsɪəl /

adjective

1. on or originating from the surface of a glacier

Word History and Origins

Origin of superglacial¹

First recorded in 1885–90; super- + glacial

Example Sentences

There is no conflict of opinion with regard to glacial aggradation and the distribution of superglacial, englacial and subglacial material, which during the active existence of a glacier is finally distributed by glacial streams that produce very considerable alluviation.

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Less commonly they were subglacial, and failed to be covered, and less commonly still superglacial.

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Such deposits as were made by superglacial streams during the advance of the ice must likewise have been delivered on the land surface, but would have been subsequently destroyed or buried, becoming in the latter case, submorainic.

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This would be likely to be the fate of all such superglacial gravels as reached the edge of the ice up to the time of its maximum advance.

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