Glacial erosion
89
by postglacial elevation of sea level. It seems that glacial erosion motivated the excavation
of basins and the existence of the threshold can be explained by the thinning and spilling of
the glacier when arriving at the continental platform.
Norwegian fjords are most fundamentally characterized along their southern coast
(Hardanger, Sogne and Geiranger Fjords, among others) by scarped or cliffed walls,
hanging valleys and cascades, whereas more to the north of the region, between Alesund
and Trondheim, slopes are much more smoothed, similar to the sea lochs or firths of
Scotland. In this area are recognized rocky island zones of low altitude (skjaergard) or
partially submerged erosion platforms (strandflats) (Fig. 3.28). These flattened zones are
interpreted as originating by marine, subaerial and subglacial erosion and even as etch
plains (Benn and Evans, 1998).
Scottish firths are long coastal coves associated with the glaciation in coasts of low
relief. They are distinguished from fjords by their irregular form, deficiency of basins or
transverse U-shaped cross sections. In any case it is difficult to distinguish, in coasts of low
relief, coves generated by glacial erosion (Augustinus, 1992).
89
by postglacial elevation of sea level. It seems that glacial erosion motivated the excavation
of basins and the existence of the threshold can be explained by the thinning and spilling of
the glacier when arriving at the continental platform.
Norwegian fjords are most fundamentally characterized along their southern coast
(Hardanger, Sogne and Geiranger Fjords, among others) by scarped or cliffed walls,
hanging valleys and cascades, whereas more to the north of the region, between Alesund
and Trondheim, slopes are much more smoothed, similar to the sea lochs or firths of
Scotland. In this area are recognized rocky island zones of low altitude (skjaergard) or
partially submerged erosion platforms (strandflats) (Fig. 3.28). These flattened zones are
interpreted as originating by marine, subaerial and subglacial erosion and even as etch
plains (Benn and Evans, 1998).
Scottish firths are long coastal coves associated with the glaciation in coasts of low
relief. They are distinguished from fjords by their irregular form, deficiency of basins or
transverse U-shaped cross sections. In any case it is difficult to distinguish, in coasts of low
relief, coves generated by glacial erosion (Augustinus, 1992).