Which process drives headwall erosion during cirque glacier formation in alpine regions?

💡 Explanation

As ice builds up within the cirque depression, basal sliding begins because pressure increases, causing meltwater to infiltrate bedrock fractures and actively freeze-thaw, thus inducing plucking and quarrying on the headwall. Therefore pressure melting and regelation slippage drives headwall erosion, rather than solely chemical means, wind abrasion, or debris avalanches alone.

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