Rock Resistance; Most rocks in East Africa are metamorphic and therefore tend to be most resistant to erosion by ice. Besides these rocks don't have many joints as is the case with sedimentary rocks. For these reasons glacial erosion is limited to abrasion only in most cases.

 
Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, lies in northeastern Tanzania near the border of Kenya. The mountain has two volcanic peaks, spaced about 11 km (about 7 mi) apart, with the higher of the two rising 5,895 m (19,341 ft). Only Mt. Kenya Kenya and Rwenzori have glacial features. Discuss why the rest of the mountains in East Africa do not have.

Altitude: Most of East Africa lies between 2,000 -3,000 metres above sea level. And for snow and ice to exist, a minimum of 4,500 metres above sea level should be attained. Only Mts. Kenya, Kilimanjaro and Rwenzori attain these heights. This leaves the vast proportion of East Africa without snow and ice. Hence reason for limited glacial activity.

Latitude: East Africa lies astride the equator. This means that maximum insolation is received throughout the year compared to other regions of the world. Yet for snow and ice to exist, temperatures of Zero and below should persist for some considerable time. This leaves the three mountains of Rwenzori, Kenya and Kilimanjaro as the only areas of glacial activity.

Thickness and depth of ice: The position of East Africa is such that it lies astride the Equator hence perpetually high temperatures which limit large scale accumulation of snow and besides most East African Mountains are not so high to induce temperatures that could lead to large-scale   accumulation. Therefore the smaller the thickness, the smaller its energy would be. Thus, this will have limited effect on moulding the landscape.

The nature of relief: On the leeward side of the Rwenzoris there is limited snow cover because of high temperatures hence limiting glacial activity.

The influence of global warming. This is the general increase in temperature worldwide. It is therefore reducing the chances of large-scale accumulation of snow.        

 The Drainage in Switzerland

Switzerland is a source point for much of Europe's drainage. This is because of her being mountainous with numerous glaciers and heavy precipitation. Four major river systems have their main or subsidiary source in Switzerland. These include: The Rhine drains 67.7% of the country into the North Sea, the Rhone 18.2%, Po/Ticino 9.3% and Adige 4% (28% into the Mediterranean Sea) and Inn 4.4% via the Danube into the black sea.

Switzerland is a principal water source in central Europe, and the nation's rivers flow into four different seas. The Rhine, one of Europe's major rivers, rises in eastern Switzerland. The Rhine drains much of northern Switzerland and flows to the North Sea. Its largest tributary is the Aare, which drains most of the Swiss Plateau and the southern slopes of the Jura.

The Rhône, the other great European river originating in Switzerland, flows west and south to the Mediterranean Sea. The Ticino river system in southern Switzerland flows to the Po and into the Adriatic Sea. The Inn drains eastern Switzerland and flows into the Danube, which empties into the Black Sea.

 

There are many other small rivers and streams in Switzerland as can be seen on the map below.

Switzerland's mountain systems contain innumerable picturesque valleys, most of which are traversed by streams and rivers. Waterfalls frequently issue from the slopes above. Some waterfalls are exceptionally high.

The spectacular Staubbach Falls in the canton of Bern is one of the world's highest, with a drop of some 300 m (about 980 ft). Glaciers feed many Swiss rivers. Among the best known is the Rhône Glacier, a vast glittering cascade of ice at the headwaters of the Rhône River.