scree

Scree slopes are common in upland areas, such as the Lake District. The scree – broken fragments of rock – is usually formed by freeze-thaw activity. This breaks solid rock into smaller, often angular particles. Scree is common in mountainous areas, since night-time temperatures often fall below freezing point, and there is a ready supply of moisture to freeze. A typical lowland glaciated valley can be seen in the background.

Scree slopes are common in upland areas, such as the Lake District in northwest England. The scree, broken fragments of rock, is usually formed by freeze-thaw activity. This breaks solid rock into smaller, often angular particles. They are common in mountainous areas, since night-time temperatures often fall below freezing point, and there is a ready supply of moisture.

Scree slope and cliffs near Eldborg, an ancient volcanic crater, in southern Iceland. Rocks fractured and broken apart by freeze-thaw action here form slopes of loose material. The slopes are very similar to the landscape of hot desert areas. Areas such as southern Iceland – which are called periglacial (literally on the edge of glacier activity) – are sometimes called cold deserts.

Pile of rubble and sediment that collects at the foot of a mountain range or cliff. The rock fragments that form scree are usually broken off by the action of frost (freeze–thaw weathering).

With time, the rock-waste builds up into a heap or sheet of rubble that may eventually bury even the upper cliffs, and the growth of the scree then stops. Usually, however, erosional forces remove the rock waste so that the scree stays restricted to lower slopes.