Deck 44: Landforms and Landscapes of Continental Glaciation

Question 1

The two continental ice sheets that exist in the world today are:

A) Antarctica & Greenland
B) Greenland & Iceland
C) Laurentide & Wisconsin
D) Iceland & Antarctica

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Ice sheets flow outward like spokes on a wheel. Studies have shown that entire ice sheets flow outward at the same rate.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Low-density ice floating freely in the ocean is called:

A) icebergs
B) ice shelves
C) ice sheets
D) both (a) and (b)

Answer 3

A

Question 4

All are similarities between Antarctica and Greenland EXCEPT:

A) both ice sheets are formed over continents
B) both are shaped like a dome
C) both ice sheets flow from its center outward
D) both are made of freshwater ice

Question 5

The most distinguishing characteristic between a glacial till and outwash is:

A) glacial till are poorly sorted due to melting and deposition of sediments, while outwash are well sorted due to melting water carrying and sorting sediments
B) glacial till are well sorted sediments with apparent stratifications
C) outwash are poorly sorted due to the rapid melting of ice sheets
D) both (b) and (c)

Question 6

The most likely explanation that explains the evolution of The Great Lakes is:

A) Late Cenozoic continental collision of plates formed mountains, which acted as the boundary of the lakes. Subsequent precipitation filled in these depressions.
B) Glacial mass eroded the bedrock forming a depression. As glaciers retreated, deposits blocked the flow of meltwater causing water to fill in the depressions.
C) Tensional stresses are pulling plates apart, allowing ocean water to fill in the gaps.
D) The continuous advance and retreat of glaciers formed one glacial lake at a time eventually forming Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie.

Question 7

The type of moraine that forms at the outermost limit of an ice sheet during a major advance and retreat is called:

A) terminal
B) recessional
C) lateral
D) medial

Question 8

Drumlins are smooth, elliptical shaped mounds of till. How do they help us determine the directional flow of continental ice sheets?

A) the long axis of the elliptical-shaped drumlin is parallel to the directional flow
B) the long axis of the elliptical-shaped drumlin is perpendicular to the directional flow
C) two or more drumlins will make an arrow shape that points in the direction of flow
D) there is no way to determine the flow of past continental ice sheets by looking at drumlins

Question 9

An elongated ridge deposit is left along the length of a continental ice sheet. One way scientists determine whether the ridge is an esker or a moraine is by:

A) examining the sorting of the sediments
B) looking whether long tunnels are present
C) both (a) and (b)
D) cannot determine the difference between an esker and a moraine

Question 10

A long ribbon-like ridge or tunnel that is formed by the clogging of debris from glacial outwash as ice melts is called a(n):

A) esker
B) drumlin
C) kettle
D) kame

Question 11

A rounded hill of gravel and sand deposited by meltwater is a _____, a distinctive and common landform of stagnant ice.

A) esker
B) drumlin
C) kettle
D) kame

Question 12

Sediments of various sizes are carried at the base of glaciers and deposited as poorly sorted _____.

A) glacial drift
B) stratified drift
C) glacial till
D) moraine

Question 13

During the Pleistocene, large lakes covered much of the Western United States, such as Lake Bonneville in Utah. These lakes are called:

A) fluvial lakes
B) crater lakes
C) deciduous lakes
D) pluvial lakes

Question 14

By measuring the amount of annual precipitation (accumulated snow) the Antarctic glacier system receives annually, the system is considered a:

A) desert region
B) tundra region
C) tropical region
D) polar region

Question 15

The largest pluvial lake in North America is:

A) Snake River of southern Idaho
B) Great Salt Lake, Utah formerly known as Lake Bonneville
C) Lake Michigan
D) Lake Superior on Canada's side