Cirques{Geography}

• Cirques are found high up in mountains.
• They have 3 steep sides and sometimes contain a lake.

Formation of Cirques

1. Snow collects in a mountain hollow high up in the mountain. After repeated snowfall, the snow compacts to form ice. This forms a glacier.
2. Through plucking and abrasion , the hollow grows deeper. Freeze-that action is also seen here.
3. When the glacier is large enough, it begins to flow over the edge of the cirque. After this, it begins its way down the valley.
4. When the glacier melts, a lake called a tarn can be trapped in the cirque hollow.
5. When two cirques form back to back, the ridge between them is known as an arete.

• Example: the Devil's Punchbowl, County Kerry.