<p>It's a <a href="https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/questions/what.html" rel="noreferrer">glacier</a>, it this case the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltoro_Glacier" rel="noreferrer">Baltoro Glacier</a> in Karakoram, Pakistan. The road-like pattern is formed as the glacier slowly flows towards lower altitude from a nearby ice-cap or <a href="http://www.antarcticglaciers.org/modern-glaciers/introduction-glacier-mass-balance/" rel="noreferrer">accumulation zone</a>. Rocks and dirt is transported both within the ice and on the surface. </p>

<p>With a closer look, the surface is rarely smooth, but often deep trenches, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crevasse" rel="noreferrer">cravasses</a>, and meltwater channels are formed as the glacier moves. On a human timescale, the glaciers crawl slowly, but from a geological perspective <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXROvFbEXKE" rel="noreferrer">they are fast</a>. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/s7QLn.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/s7QLn.jpg" alt="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier#/media/File:GornerGlacier_002.jpg"></a>
<em>Closeup of a glacier with crevasses. (By Roylindman at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)</em></p>

<p>Under the glacier, a U-shaped valley is formed as the glacier erode the bedrock. Depending on the dynamics of the glacier and the erosion, the glacier might also appear clean, without sediment on the surface. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/omQa1.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/omQa1.jpg" alt="Private photo"></a>
<em>Large glacier without sediments, but also with a very uneven surface due to the movements of the glacier (Wilkes Land).</em></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T23:59:41.373Z
Thanks for the edit @Etienne Godin . A good clarification for a too short answer.
user2821
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-13T01:18:33.427Z
to the point answer for a simple question! felt like just adding the origin of the forces driving the glaciers to your well rounded explanation
marsisalie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T12:01:36.367Z
2017-07-12T15:16:52.817Z
2017-07-12T15:16:52.817Z
user2821
<p>If you take a look at this picture you can see what looks like almost nicely cut out 'roads' between the mountains.</p>

<p><img src="https://www.awesomestories.com/images/user/4ae0e8b631.jpg" alt="Himalayan mountains"></p>

<p>What forces are responsible for this?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-12T23:01:45.593Z
What do you mean by a "road like pattern"?
gerrit
<mountains><glaciology>
How are 'road-like passages' between Himalayan mountains formed?
user9555
# How are 'road-like passages' between Himalayan mountains formed?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-12)

If you take a look at this picture you can see what looks like almost nicely cut out 'roads' between the mountains.

![Himalayan mountains](https://www.awesomestories.com/images/user/4ae0e8b631.jpg)

What forces are responsible for this?

**Tags:** mountains, glaciology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What do you mean by a "road like pattern"?  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-07-12. Score: 12

It's a [glacier](https://nsidc.org/cryosphere/glaciers/questions/what.html), it this case the [Baltoro Glacier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltoro_Glacier) in Karakoram, Pakistan. The road-like pattern is formed as the glacier slowly flows towards lower altitude from a nearby ice-cap or [accumulation zone](http://www.antarcticglaciers.org/modern-glaciers/introduction-glacier-mass-balance/). Rocks and dirt is transported both within the ice and on the surface.

With a closer look, the surface is rarely smooth, but often deep trenches, [cravasses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crevasse), and meltwater channels are formed as the glacier moves. On a human timescale, the glaciers crawl slowly, but from a geological perspective [they are fast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXROvFbEXKE).

[![https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier#/media/File:GornerGlacier_002.jpg](https://i.sstatic.net/s7QLn.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/s7QLn.jpg)
*Closeup of a glacier with crevasses. (By Roylindman at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0)*

Under the glacier, a U-shaped valley is formed as the glacier erode the bedrock. Depending on the dynamics of the glacier and the erosion, the glacier might also appear clean, without sediment on the surface.

[![Private photo](https://i.sstatic.net/omQa1.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/omQa1.jpg)
*Large glacier without sediments, but also with a very uneven surface due to the movements of the glacier (Wilkes Land).*

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Thanks for the edit @Etienne Godin . A good clarification for a too short answer.  
> **username_3**: to the point answer for a simple question! felt like just adding the origin of the forces driving the glaciers to your well rounded explanation  

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