Multiple or composite moraines consist of a few lateral moraines that are generally parallel to each other but at different heights and locations.  They were formed at different times in the past and are evidence that the glacier had many advances and retreats or oscillations in response to past climate changes.  Without dating multiple moraines, it is difficult to determine if they represent brief oscillations of a glacier or major advance/retreat cycles separated in time.  They are rarely preserved because the most recent glacial advance often destroys previous glacial deposits. 

 

The photograph above shows the large lateral moraine of the Findel Glacier in the center of the photograph and many smaller moraines closer to the bottom of the photograph.  The lateral moraine seen across the valley is the left lateral moraine of the Findel Glacier.  Imagine the empty valley between these two lateral moraines filled with ice over 150 years ago!