How are cirque glaciers created?

A horn results when glaciers erode three or more arêtes, usually forming a sharp-edged peak. Cirques are concave, circular basins carved by the base of a glacier as it erodes the landscape. Historic photograph of the Matterhorn, Switzerland, 1894 The Matterhorn in Switzerland is a horn carved away by glacial erosion. read more

A cirque (French, from the Latin word circus) is an amphitheatre-like valley formed by glacial erosion. Alternative names for this landform are corrie (from Scottish Gaelic coire meaning a pot or cauldron) and cwm (Welsh for "valley", pronounced /kʊm/ coom). read more

A semi-circular or amphitheater-shaped bedrock feature created as glaciers erode back into a mountain. This is where the snow and ice forming the glacier first accumulates; it is the "headwaters" of a glacier. Photo: R. Schukar. Used with permission. read more

A cirque, or Corrie, is an amphitheater-like valley created by glacial erosion. The glacial cirque is opened on the downhill side while the cupped section is steep. The cliffs on the sides slope down and combine and converge from three or more higher sides. read more