Vocab #11 - Europe

Glaciation The process by which glaciers form and spread.

Loess A fine, rich, wind-borne soil left behind by glaciers.

Dike Large banks of earth and stone used as a dam to hold back water.

Fjord Long, narrow, steep-sided inlets carved out by the process of glaciation; this occurred during the last Ice Age (found in the Scandinavian Peninsula.)

Permafrost Soil that is permanently frozen below the surface.

This is the elevation above which trees cannot grow. Timberline This is the elevation above which trees cannot grow.

Mistral A strong northern wind from the Alps that can blow into southern France.

Sirocco Hot, dry winds from North Africa that can bring warmer temperatures to Southern Europe.

Foehn Winter winds that blow down from the mountains into valleys and plains; foehns can trigger avalanches.

Avalanche Destructive masses of ice, snow, and rock sliding down a mountainside; can be caused by foehns.