Consider the following statements regarding 'Glacial Till': 1. It is sorted and stratified. 2. It contains angular to sub-angular rock fragments. 3. It forms ridges known as moraines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 and 3 only. Explanation Glacial till refers to the unsorted and unstratified drift or sediment deposited directly by glacial ice. It is distinct from glacio-fluvial deposits (outwash), which are sorted by meltwater streams. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. Glacial till is characterized by being unsorted and unstratified. It consists of a chaotic mixture of rock debris ranging from clay-sized particles to large boulders, dumped indiscriminately as the ice melts. In contrast, deposits sorted and stratified by water are known as outwash. - Statement 2 is Correct. The rock fragments found in glacial till are typically angular to sub-angular. Unlike river transport, which rounds rocks through attrition and rolling, glacial transport often preserves the angularity of rocks as they are embedded within the ice, although some abrasion (scratches or striations) may occur. - Statement 3 is Correct. Moraines are long ridges or mounds composed primarily of glacial till. Depending on their location relative to the glacier (lateral, medial, ground, or terminal), these landforms represent the accumulation of debris released by the melting ice. Key Takeaway: The primary distinction between glacial deposits lies in the sorting agent: Till is deposited directly by ice and is unsorted/unstratified, whereas Outwash is deposited by meltwater and is sorted/stratified.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 5: Landforms and Their Evolution

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Consider the following statements regarding 'Glacial Till':

It is sorted and stratified.
It contains angular to sub-angular rock fragments.
It forms ridges known as moraines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 and 3 only
B1, 2 and 3
C1 only
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Glacial till refers to the unsorted and unstratified drift or sediment deposited directly by glacial ice. It is distinct from glacio-fluvial deposits (outwash), which are sorted by meltwater streams.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Glacial till is characterized by being unsorted and unstratified. It consists of a chaotic mixture of rock debris ranging from clay-sized particles to large boulders, dumped indiscriminately as the ice melts. In contrast, deposits sorted and stratified by water are known as outwash.
Statement 2 is Correct. The rock fragments found in glacial till are typically angular to sub-angular. Unlike river transport, which rounds rocks through attrition and rolling, glacial transport often preserves the angularity of rocks as they are embedded within the ice, although some abrasion (scratches or striations) may occur.
Statement 3 is Correct. Moraines are long ridges or mounds composed primarily of glacial till. Depending on their location relative to the glacier (lateral, medial, ground, or terminal), these landforms represent the accumulation of debris released by the melting ice.

Key Takeaway:
The primary distinction between glacial deposits lies in the sorting agent: Till is deposited directly by ice and is unsorted/unstratified, whereas Outwash is deposited by meltwater and is sorted/stratified.

Your note

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The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Glacial till refers to the unsorted and unstratified drift or sediment deposited directly by glacial ice. It is distinct from glacio-fluvial deposits (outwash), which are sorted by meltwater streams.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Glacial till is characterized by being unsorted and unstratified. It consists of a chaotic mixture of rock debris ranging from clay-sized particles to large boulders, dumped indiscriminately as the ice melts. In contrast, deposits sorted and stratified by water are known as outwash.
Statement 2 is Correct. The rock fragments found in glacial till are typically angular to sub-angular. Unlike river transport, which rounds rocks through attrition and rolling, glacial transport often preserves the angularity of rocks as they are embedded within the ice, although some abrasion (scratches or striations) may occur.
Statement 3 is Correct. Moraines are long ridges or mounds composed primarily of glacial till. Depending on their location relative to the glacier (lateral, medial, ground, or terminal), these landforms represent the accumulation of debris released by the melting ice.