Question 1

A deposition of till that forms behind a terminal moraine as the glacier retreats and is generally spread widely across the ground surface is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A deposition of till behind a terminal moraine is called a till plain. Till is a mixture of different sizes of rock debris left behind by a glacier as it retreats, and a terminal moraine marks the end of the glacier's advance. The till plain is spread out across the ground surface and can be used to identify the extent of glaciation in a region. A drumlin swarm is a collection of streamlined hills left behind by the glacier, and a lateral moraine is a deposition of till on the sides of a glacier. An outwash plain is formed by the meltwater from a glacier carrying sediment away from the ice until it is deposited downstream.

Question 2

Periglacial environments are likely to occur in which of the following climate types?

Accepted Answer

Periglacial environments are characterized by the presence of permafrost and occur in regions with cold temperatures, such as in the Arctic and subarctic regions. Tundra climates are associated with these regions and have the appropriate conditions for periglacial environments to occur. Mesothermal, humid continental, and desert climates are not typically associated with periglacial environments.

Question 3

If two glaciers with lengthy ridges of till along each side of the glacier merge, a ________ moraine may form.

Accepted Answer

When two glaciers merge, the till on each side of the glacier forms a continuous strip down the center of the newly formed glacier. This is called a medial moraine. A ground moraine is formed when the glacier melts and deposits unsorted sediment on the ground, a terminal moraine is formed at the front of a glacier as it melts and recedes, and a lateral moraine is formed along the sides of a glacier where sediment is pushed and piled up by the ice.

Question 4

The zone of seasonally frozen ground that exists between the subsurface permafrost layer and the ground surface is called the

Accepted Answer

The zone of seasonally frozen ground is called the active layer. This layer thaws and refreezes each year, while beneath it is the permanently frozen permafrost layer. Choices A, B, and D are not correct, as gelifluction refers to the slow downhill movement of soil due to freeze-thaw cycles, the discontinuous region refers to a geographic area with sporadic permafrost, and a talik is a layer of unfrozen ground that exists beneath lakes or rivers in permafrost regions.

Question 5

The present of till indicates

Accepted Answer

Till is a type of sediment that is deposited directly by a glacier. It is made up of a mixture of different-sized rocks, soil, and other materials that the glacier picks up and carries with it as it moves. Therefore, the present of till indicates deposition by a glacier (choice B).

Question 6

Elongated hills, often in the shape of an inverted spoon, streamlined in the direction of glacial movement are called

Accepted Answer

Elongated hills streamlined in the direction of glacial movement are called drumlins. They are often in the shape of an inverted spoon and are formed by the deposition of glacial till underneath a moving glacier. Eskers are long, narrow ridges of sand and gravel deposited by streams that flowed under a glacier, kettles are depressions left behind by melting blocks of glacier ice, and horns are sharp mountain peaks formed by glacial erosion.

Question 7

Unfrozen ground in a region of discontinuous permafrost is known as

Accepted Answer

Unfrozen ground in a region of discontinuous permafrost is known as a "talik".

Question 8

Eroded debris dropped at the glacier's farthest extent is called ________ moraine.

Accepted Answer

Terminal moraine is formed from debris that is dropped at the end, or terminus, of a glacier. Ground moraine refers to the layer of sediment that is left behind as a glacier retreats, while medial moraine is formed when two glaciers come together and the debris in the two lateral moraines merge. Lateral moraine is the debris that accumulates along the sides of a glacier.

Question 9

Which of the following is correct regarding permafrost?

Accepted Answer

Permafrost develops where soil or rock temperatures are below freezing for at least two years. This can occur in both high and midlatitudes, as well as in areas without glaciers.

Answer: C 
 The surface layer of permafrost never thaws, even in the warm season, which is why it is referred to as "perma"-frost.

Option B and D are incorrect.

Question 10

The lengthy ridges of till along each side of an alpine glacier are ________ moraines.

Accepted Answer

The description of the ridges being along each side of the glacier indicates that they are running parallel to the flow of the glacier, which corresponds to lateral moraines. Ground moraines occur underneath the ice sheet, terminal moraines mark the furthest advance of a glacier, and medial moraines occur where two glaciers converge.

Question 11

a steep-sided glaciofluvial landform that occur as the result of blocks of ice calving from the retreating glacier and subsequent accumulation of till around the melting ice block is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The answer of a steep-sided glaciofluvial landform that occur as...

Question 12

A small hill, knob, or mound of glaciofluvial sorted sand and gravel that forms on the surface of a glacier and is later left on the left surface after the glacier retreats is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A kame is a small hill or mound of sorted sand and gravel that forms on the surface of a glacier and is later left on the left surface after the glacier retreats. Drumlin refers to an elongated hill formed from glacial till, while an esker is a long, winding ridge of stratified sand and gravel. A kettle is a depression or hole created in an outwash plain by the melting of a detached block of glacial ice.

Question 13

Sorted sediment deposited by glaciofluvial action are called

Accepted Answer

Sorted sediment deposited by glaciofluvial action is referred to as stratified drift. This sediment is layered and typically consists of sand, gravel, and silt. Glaciofluvial action occurs when streams of meltwater flow from glaciers and deposit sediment as they go.

Question 14

Frozen subsurface water in regions of permafrost is called

Accepted Answer

Ground ice refers to frozen subsurface water in regions of permafrost. Talik refers to unfrozen ground in between layers of permafrost. The active layer is the seasonally thawed upper layer of soil in permafrost regions. Periglacial water refers to all water in regions affected by freezing and thawing of soil and rock due to cold temperatures.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. Alaska has extensive permafrost regions, especially in the northern parts of the state.

Question 16

A class of landforms formed by the accumulation of glacial till are known as

Accepted Answer

Moraines are accumulations of glacial till deposited at the edges and terminus of a glacier, forming a ridge-like landform. Drift is a general term for any material deposited by a glacier, including till, while alluvium is material deposited by a stream or river. Outwash refers specifically to the sediment deposited by meltwater streams flowing away from a glacier.

Question 17

A long, narrow, sinuous ridge of stratified sand and gravel located in a till plain is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

Eskers are long, narrow ridges of stratified sand and gravel that were deposited by streams flowing on or within glaciers. They form in tunnels or channels within the ice and are left behind as the ice melts. Eskers are commonly found in till plains and are one of the most distinctive glacial landforms. Drumlins are oval-shaped hills that are typically composed of glacial till and are also found in till plains. Kames are small, cone-shaped hills that form when sediment is deposited by meltwater streams flowing over the surface of the glacier. Kettles are depressions or holes that form when blocks of ice left behind by a retreating glacier melt and fill with water.

Question 18

The area of sediment deposit by by glaciofluvial action beyond the glacial terminus is known as the

Accepted Answer

The area of sediment deposit beyond the glacial terminus is known as the outwash plain. This is a flat or gently sloping plain that has been formed by meltwater streams that carry sediment away from the glacial terminus. The outwash plain is also known as the valley train, and it is typically composed of sand, gravel, and other sediment that has been sorted and deposited by the meltwater streams. The other options, such as the till plain, terminal moraine, and end moraine, refer to different types of glacial landforms, but they do not specifically refer to the area of sediment deposit by glaciofluvial action beyond the glacial terminus.

Question 19

The term periglacial refers to

Accepted Answer

The term periglacial refers to cold climate processes that occur along the margins of glaciers, such as freeze-thaw cycles and the formation of permafrost. It doesn't refer specifically to areas on top of glaciers or regions that are too warm for ground ice. While periglacial processes may have also occurred during the last ice age, the term isn't limited to that time period.

Question 20

Vertical and horizontal movement caused by the expansion of freezing water are called

Accepted Answer

Frost heaving refers to the vertical movement caused by the expansion of freezing water, while frost thrusting refers to the horizontal movement.

Quiz 17: Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms