The process by which glaciers thin and recede—through climatic change (Turner et al. (2005) Geografiska A 87, 363), or by increased calving when sea levels rise. Deglaciation is generally accompanied by the release of meltwater (Tarasov and Peltier (2006) Q. Sci. Revs 25, 7–8), and the formation of recessional moraines (Barrows et al. (2002) Q. Sci. Revs 21, 3).