Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Glaciers are large masses of moving ice that act as powerful geomorphic agents. They modify the land surface significantly through the processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Glaciers are essentially "rivers of ice." They are formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow and flow slowly over land under the influence of gravity and their own weight.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Glaciers are active agents of erosion. As they move, they erode the landscape by bulldozing soil and stones to expose the solid rock below. They modify the terrain through processes such as plucking (lifting rocks) and abrasion (scouring the bedrock).
- Statement 3 is Correct: Glaciers transport various materials, including big rocks, sand, and silt. When the glacier melts or retreats, these materials are deposited. These deposits form specific landforms known as glacial moraines.
Key Takeaway: Glaciers are dynamic agents that not only transport ice but also actively erode the landscape and deposit sediments (till) to form features like moraines.