Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
outwash
Noun
/ˈaʊtˌwɑːʃ/
Definition
A type of sedimentary deposit formed by the melting of glaciers, consisting primarily of sand and gravel transported away from the glacier by meltwater.
Examples
- During the last Ice Age, large areas were covered by outwash from the retreating glaciers.
- The valley was filled with layers of outwash deposited by meltwater streams.
Meaning
Outwash refers to the material that is carried away from a glacier by streams of water that flow from the melting ice.
Synonyms
- Glacial deposit
- River sediment
- Meltwater sediment
