The glaciers formed most of Minnesota’s lakes as ice block lakes. This occurred when a chunk of ice broke off of an advancing glacier and became buried in the debris. Then the ice melted underneath the debris and the resulting holes of water became lakes.
Another kind of glacial lake was formed in a different way and is referred to as a depression lake. Depression lakes were formed when melting ice filled in a depression on the surface that was left behind by a passing glacier. Lake Andrew is a perfect example of a depression lake. It has gradually sloping sides and is quite shallow with a maximum depth of 26 feet.
To get credit for this earthcache, email to me the answers to the following questions:
- What are the characteristics of a depression lake?
- What characteristics can you observe on Lake Andrew?
- Describe the lake bottom and water clarity. (Exempt when ice is on.)
- How did a glacier form Lake Andrew?