What is the bowl shaped depression at the head of a glacial valley?

The bowl-shaped depression at the head of a glacial valley is known as a cirque. It is formed by the erosive action of glaciers as they move and carve out the landscape, typically resulting in steep cliffs around the perimeter. Cirques often serve as the starting point for glaciers, and they may contain a small lake or tarn at the bottom after glacial retreat.