Nivation

Nivation is the umbrella term given to periglacial processes caused by snowfall.

• Snow can build up and have an erosional effect, creating depressions in the sides of mountains
• Meltwater can penetrate cracks made by snow and freeze-thaw weathering can then occur
• When the snow melts, the meltwater can remove weathered rocks
• Snow accumulates in cracks and erodes a deep hollow through erosional slip which can develop into a corrie