Parallel Roads in Norway

Abstract

IN Mr. Hansen's account of the terrace formation of Central Norway he discards the sea theory of their origin, as well as the detrital dam, the local glacier theory, and also that of Prof. Prestwich, of landslips. The cause he ascribes to rests in the passage of the inland ice seawards, allowing lakes to form in the watershed while ice remained in the valleys seaward. Does this idea not reverse the order of Nature? Would it not be far simpler, more reasonable, and more in accordance with the laws of Nature to conclude that ice would remain in the highest valleys of the country longest, and that the parallel roads or terraces are the ice margins or lateral moraines where the ice rested after the most intense glaciation ceased, while the surplus passed over the cols, and the passage seaward was more or less retarded by the configuration of the country? The Lochaber roads are mostly composed of the usual glacial stuff of the district, it is neither washed as lake margins or sea beaches. The only water-washed material seems to have run down from the hills above, before glaciation ceased, and vegetation covered the surface. The roads are neither strictly parallel or horizontal, and just what might be expected to be formed by ice lying for a long time in a valley when the growth did not greatly exceed the waste and the motion was slow.