An arête is a sharp, narrow ridge formed by the erosion of adjoining corries (cirques) by glaciers. As glaciers expand due to increased snow and ice, they erode and carve the underlying landscape. This can result in the formation of U-shaped valleys, corries, tarns, and arêtes. Crib Goch in Wales is a prominent example of an arête, formed from the erosion of two opposing corries that were once occupied by alpine glaciers. It is a steep and narrow ridge that can be dangerous to climb, especially in winter conditions. Arêtes are common landforms found in mountainous areas that have been subjected to past glaciation.

1. ARETES
By Alice Bailey

2. WHAT IS AN ARETE?
The definition of what an Arête is...
A sharp, narrow ridge or spur commonly found above the snow – line in mountainous
areas that have been sculpted by Glaciers. Arêtes form as the result of continued
backward erosion of adjoining Corries (Cirques).
Many landforms today including Corries, Tarns and U-Shaped Valleys were caused
becausesharp, narrow ridge or spur commonly of snow and ice below. This crushed
A of Glaciers expanding due to the weight found above the snow
rocks belowin mountainous areas that have been sculpted by glaciers. landforms,
line which as a result caused erosion, which over time formed these
including Arêtes. Because they happen in mountainous terrains andof
Arêtes form as the result of the continued backward erosion have been
adjoining cirques. Glaciations, they occur very often in the Alps.
subjected to
The sharp crested ridge separates the two opposing valleys (Cirques) that were once
formally occupied by Alpine Glaciers. The reason that it has steep sides is because the
unsupported rock has collapsed under pressure and by the continual weathering and
erosion. Arêtes are what separate the Corries from each other.

3. CRIB GOCH -
WALES
An example of an Arête in the United Kingdom would be Crib Goch located in
Snowdonia, Wales. The translation of Crib Goch to English is ‘Red Ridge’. It is 3,028 feet
in height and currently stretches 213 feet. The ‘Knife Edge’ Arête of Crib Goch and the
Pyramidal Peaks of Snowdonia, are both as a result of Glaciations. Another example of an
Arête would be ‘Striding Edge’.
Crib Goch is suggested to be one of the wettest places in the United Kingdom
today. It has averaged around 4,473 millimetres of rainfall a year over the past 30 years.
In the Winter months, it can be extremely dangerous to climb and walk due to strong
winds and snow. Its highest point is 923 metres high and has some very steep
slopes, which can be fatal during later months of the year. Around the area of this Arête
is a steep scree slope which is also deemed dangerous; especially to people who struggle
with heights.

4. MAP AND PICTURES
OF ‘CRIB GOCH IN
WALES’
The back wall of the
corrie either side will
erode past each other
, so much so that the
land gets very narrow.
After this process of
erosion, a Knife Edge
will form.

6. The Arête is usually always in a ‘C’ shape and the only part it does
not go round is where the back-lip lye's. The Tarn is in the middle and the
Arête will surround it as well as the Corrie.
Arêtes can be formed when two Cirques (Corries) erode head wards
towards each other. This frequently ends up however as a Col, which is a saddle-
shaped pass. The edge of the Arête after this is then sharpened by Freeze-Thaw
weathering.

7. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING... ANY
QUESTIONS?
I hope you enjoy the quiz I have based on Crib Goch and Arêtes
in general.