What is "terminal moraine"

Terminal \Ter"mi*nal\ (-nal), a. [L. terminals: cf. F. terminal. See Term, n.]

1. Of or pertaining to the end or extremity; forming the extremity; as, a terminal edge.

2. (Bot.) Growing at the end of a branch or stem; terminating; as, a terminal bud, flower, or spike.

3. (Railroads) Pertaining to a railroad terminal; connected with the receipt or delivery of freight; as, terminal charges. Terminal moraine. See the Note under Moraine. Terminal statue. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3. Terminal velocity.

   1. The velocity acquired at the end of a body's motion.

   2. The limit toward which the velocity of a body approaches, as of a body falling through the air.

A terminal moraine, also called end moraine, is a type of moraine that forms at the snout (edge) of a glacier, marking its maximum advance. At this point, debris that has accumulated by plucking and abrasion, and has been pushed by the front edge of the ice, is driven no further and instead is dumped in a heap. Because the glacier acts very much like a conveyor belt, the longer it stays in one place, the greater the amount of material that will be deposited. The moraine is left as the marking point of the terminal extent of the ice.