Mt.Saint-Michel is separated from mainland Europe by approximately 1000 ft of relatively shallow water at high tide (as shown at left),but at low tide it is part of the wide,exposed intertidal zone (as shown at right).What might you infer about the size the sediment clasts found on the exposed surface at low tide?
A) The clasts are large because waves would remove small clasts.
B) The clasts are small because the wide, gently-sloped bottom would diminish wave strength, thus decreasing the waves' erosive power.
C) The clasts are large because the rough seas of the area routinely move large cobbles across the shallow bottom.
D) The clasts are salt particles that precipitate and grow when the tide is out and quickly dissolve when the tide comes in.

Question

Mt.Saint-Michel is separated from mainland Europe by approximately 1000 ft of relatively shallow water at high tide (as shown at left),but at low tide it is part of the wide,exposed intertidal zone (as shown at right).What might you infer about the size the sediment clasts found on the exposed surface at low tide? 
A) The clasts are large because waves would remove small clasts. 
B) The clasts are small because the wide, gently-sloped bottom would diminish wave strength, thus decreasing the waves' erosive power. 
C) The clasts are large because the rough seas of the area routinely move large cobbles across the shallow bottom. 
D) The clasts are salt particles that precipitate and grow when the tide is out and quickly dissolve when the tide comes in.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The wide, gently-sloped bottom of the exposed intertidal zone would diminish wave strength, thus decreasing the waves' erosive power. This suggests that the sediment clasts found on the exposed surface at low tide are likely to be small.

MtSaint-Michel Is Separated from Mainland Europe by Approximately 1000 Ft