Question 1

By the year 2030, global warming may have raised sea level as much as:

Accepted Answer

A)  3- 5 meters. 
B)  0.5- 1.0 meter. 
C)  0.5 meter. 
D)  1- 2 meters. 
A)  3- 5 meters. 
B)  0.5- 1.0 meter. 
C)  0.5 meter. 
D)  1- 2 meters.

Question 2

Recent discoveries about the ice ages that developed from ice- core studies include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  ancient volcanic catastrophes can be confirmed and dated by ice- core analysis. 
B)  the ice- age atmosphere was more windy than the atmosphere today. 
C)  the atmospheric CO2 content was significantly lower during the ice ages than it is today. 
D)  isotopes of CO2 trapped in glacial ice provide a geochemical thermometer of ice- age temperatures. 
A)  ancient volcanic catastrophes can be confirmed and dated by ice- core analysis. 
B)  the ice- age atmosphere was more windy than the atmosphere today. 
C)  the atmospheric CO2 content was significantly lower during the ice ages than it is today. 
D)  isotopes of CO2 trapped in glacial ice provide a geochemical thermometer of ice- age temperatures.

Question 3

The best records of land- based glacial climates come from:

Accepted Answer

A)  speleothems in tropical caves. 
B)  glacial sediments. 
C)  mammal fossils in permafrost. 
D)  fossil pollen preserved in lake sediments. 
A)  speleothems in tropical caves. 
B)  glacial sediments. 
C)  mammal fossils in permafrost. 
D)  fossil pollen preserved in lake sediments.

Question 4

Till appears different from outwash in that:

Accepted Answer

A)  till is less sorted and stratified than outwash. 
B)  till is better sorted and stratified than outwash. 
C)  till contains only smaller particles while outwash contains both small and large rock fragments. 
D)  till is darker in color than outwash. 
A)  till is less sorted and stratified than outwash. 
B)  till is better sorted and stratified than outwash. 
C)  till contains only smaller particles while outwash contains both small and large rock fragments. 
D)  till is darker in color than outwash.

Question 5

The marine record of ancient climatic changes is obtained by all of the following methods EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  isotope and fission- track dating of ash layers. 
B)  geomagnetic- stratigraphy dating of deeper cores. 
C)  carbon- 14 dating of organic material in deep- sea mud cores. 
D)  observing fossil foraminifera whose size was dependent on temperature. 
A)  isotope and fission- track dating of ash layers. 
B)  geomagnetic- stratigraphy dating of deeper cores. 
C)  carbon- 14 dating of organic material in deep- sea mud cores. 
D)  observing fossil foraminifera whose size was dependent on temperature.

Question 6

In a confined glacier, the terminus of a glacier advances downslope under which conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Accumulation is less than ablation. 
B)  Accumulation is greater than ablation. 
C)  Accumulation and ablation are equal. 
D)  All of the above. 
A)  Accumulation is less than ablation. 
B)  Accumulation is greater than ablation. 
C)  Accumulation and ablation are equal. 
D)  All of the above.

Question 7

The current glaciation on Mars probably consists of:

Accepted Answer

A)  thin, seasonal polar ice caps consisting of frozen CO2. 
B)  small valley glaciers that recede in summer due to extensive water evaporation. extensive linear glaciers that form a network of canals that cover much of the planet. 
C)  continental ice sheets only half the size of the Earth's ice- age glaciation. 
A)  thin, seasonal polar ice caps consisting of frozen CO2. 
B)  small valley glaciers that recede in summer due to extensive water evaporation. extensive linear glaciers that form a network of canals that cover much of the planet. 
C)  continental ice sheets only half the size of the Earth's ice- age glaciation.

Question 8

All of the following statements concerning permafrost are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  it is found in high- latitude periglacial environments. 
B)  it consists of soil, sediments, and bedrock that is consistently below freezing. 
C)  it is usually very shallow, and seldom over 100 feet deep. 
D)  it underlies about 25% of the Earth's land surface. 
A)  it is found in high- latitude periglacial environments. 
B)  it consists of soil, sediments, and bedrock that is consistently below freezing. 
C)  it is usually very shallow, and seldom over 100 feet deep. 
D)  it underlies about 25% of the Earth's land surface.

Question 9

The principal effect of Milankovitch's astronomical cycles is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  when the cycles are opposed, wintertime radiation increases, causing increased precipitation. 
B)  when the cycles coincide, summertime radiation is reduced. 
C)  when the cycles are opposed, solar radiation is at a minimum. 
D)  when the cycles coincide, winters are much more severe. 
A)  when the cycles are opposed, wintertime radiation increases, causing increased precipitation. 
B)  when the cycles coincide, summertime radiation is reduced. 
C)  when the cycles are opposed, solar radiation is at a minimum. 
D)  when the cycles coincide, winters are much more severe.

Question 10

Glacial ice forms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  air circulating through the spaces in accumulated snowpacks causes some of the snow to sublimate. 
B)  winter low temperatures probably contribute less to glacial growth than cool, cloudy, brief summers. 
C)  water produced by pressure melting migrates to open spaces in the snowpack and refreezes. 
D)  most precipitation in glacial areas consists of hard- packed snow pellets called firn. 
A)  air circulating through the spaces in accumulated snowpacks causes some of the snow to sublimate. 
B)  winter low temperatures probably contribute less to glacial growth than cool, cloudy, brief summers. 
C)  water produced by pressure melting migrates to open spaces in the snowpack and refreezes. 
D)  most precipitation in glacial areas consists of hard- packed snow pellets called firn.

Question 11

All of the following theories have been rejected as explanations of the triggering mechanism for continental glaciation EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  plate motions, because they are too slow to account for repeated cycles of glacial advances and retreats. 
B)  large meteorite impacts, because they are not periodic and their effects are short- lived. 
C)  volcanism, because it does not occur at regular intervals and its effects are too brief. 
D)  orbital mechanics, because its effects are too slight to account for global climatic changes. 
A)  plate motions, because they are too slow to account for repeated cycles of glacial advances and retreats. 
B)  large meteorite impacts, because they are not periodic and their effects are short- lived. 
C)  volcanism, because it does not occur at regular intervals and its effects are too brief. 
D)  orbital mechanics, because its effects are too slight to account for global climatic changes.

Question 12

Glacial surges are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  rapid internal deformation of the ice. 
B)  a large buildup of snow in the zone of accumulation. 
C)  the weight of sediment trapped within the glacier. 
D)  an accumulation of water at the base of the glacier. 
A)  rapid internal deformation of the ice. 
B)  a large buildup of snow in the zone of accumulation. 
C)  the weight of sediment trapped within the glacier. 
D)  an accumulation of water at the base of the glacier.

Question 13

Tillite is:

Accepted Answer

A)  a well- sorted sediment deposited as a glacier advances. 
B)  a sedimentary rock produced by lithification of till. 
C)  a metamorphic rock formed from glacial till that has been subjected to high pressure. 
D)  an unsorted moraine. 
A)  a well- sorted sediment deposited as a glacier advances. 
B)  a sedimentary rock produced by lithification of till. 
C)  a metamorphic rock formed from glacial till that has been subjected to high pressure. 
D)  an unsorted moraine.

Question 14

All of the following statements concerning extensive glaciation during the Permian Period are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  the areas that retain evidence of Permian glaciation were at that time near the South Pole. 
B)  Permian glaciation was initiated after the breakup of Pangaea. 
C)  evidence of this glaciation may be found in Australia, South America, India, and South Africa. 
D)  this glaciation occurred about 245-286 million years ago. 
A)  the areas that retain evidence of Permian glaciation were at that time near the South Pole. 
B)  Permian glaciation was initiated after the breakup of Pangaea. 
C)  evidence of this glaciation may be found in Australia, South America, India, and South Africa. 
D)  this glaciation occurred about 245-286 million years ago.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about striations is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Abrasion is most accelerated in subpolar zones. 
B)  Prolonged abrasion by fine, gritty rocks may produce a smooth polished finish on the underlying bedrock. 
C)  The abrading stones may eventually be pulverized to form glacial flour. 
D)  Formation of striations is facilitated by ice movement within accumulation areas up- glacier of the equilibrium line. 
A)  Abrasion is most accelerated in subpolar zones. 
B)  Prolonged abrasion by fine, gritty rocks may produce a smooth polished finish on the underlying bedrock. 
C)  The abrading stones may eventually be pulverized to form glacial flour. 
D)  Formation of striations is facilitated by ice movement within accumulation areas up- glacier of the equilibrium line.

Question 16

All of the following describe the most recent extensive glaciation in North America EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  a sheet of ice covered more than 6 million square miles of the continent. 
B)  a warming trend began 20,000 years ago that ultimately brought the ice age to an end. 
C)  the ice sheet stripped regolith 15-25 meters deep from regions of Canada and the United States. 
D)  the ice sheet stretched the full breadth of southern Canada and the northern United States. 
A)  a sheet of ice covered more than 6 million square miles of the continent. 
B)  a warming trend began 20,000 years ago that ultimately brought the ice age to an end. 
C)  the ice sheet stripped regolith 15-25 meters deep from regions of Canada and the United States. 
D)  the ice sheet stretched the full breadth of southern Canada and the northern United States.

Question 17

A terminal moraine forms when:

Accepted Answer

A)  accumulation and ablation are equal. 
B)  accumulation is less than ablation. 
C)  accumulation is greater than ablation. 
D)  All of the above. 
A)  accumulation and ablation are equal. 
B)  accumulation is less than ablation. 
C)  accumulation is greater than ablation. 
D)  All of the above.

Question 18

The "Little Ice Age":

Accepted Answer

A)  was the Earth's first known ice age, and occurred during the Precambrian Era. 
B)  refers to the present Quaternary ice age, which, in geologic terms, has been shorter than many of the Earth's earlier ice ages. 
C)  was a period of cooler global temperatures from about 1300 to 1850 A.D. and included glacial expansion in mid- latitude mountain ranges. 
D)  was the last major Pleistocene episode of glaciation, and ended about 10,000 years ago. 
A)  was the Earth's first known ice age, and occurred during the Precambrian Era. 
B)  refers to the present Quaternary ice age, which, in geologic terms, has been shorter than many of the Earth's earlier ice ages. 
C)  was a period of cooler global temperatures from about 1300 to 1850 A.D. and included glacial expansion in mid- latitude mountain ranges. 
D)  was the last major Pleistocene episode of glaciation, and ended about 10,000 years ago.

Question 19

Describe the formation of glacial ice.

Accepted Answer

Glacier formation begins with a snowfall

Question 20

The glacier's zone of accumulation can be recognized by:

Accepted Answer

A)  rocks and boulders melting from the ice. 
B)  snow from the previous winter covering the glacier ice. 
C)  icebergs calving into a lake. 
D)  exposed, bare ice. 
A)  rocks and boulders melting from the ice. 
B)  snow from the previous winter covering the glacier ice. 
C)  icebergs calving into a lake. 
D)  exposed, bare ice.

By the year 2030, global warming may have raised sea level as much as:

Recent discoveries about the ice ages that developed from ice- core studies include all of the following EXCEPT:

The best records of land- based glacial climates come from:

Till appears different from outwash in that:

The marine record of ancient climatic changes is obtained by all of the following methods EXCEPT:

In a confined glacier, the terminus of a glacier advances downslope under which conditions?

The current glaciation on Mars probably consists of:

All of the following statements concerning permafrost are true EXCEPT:

The principal effect of Milankovitch's astronomical cycles is that:

Glacial ice forms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

All of the following theories have been rejected as explanations of the triggering mechanism for continental glaciation EXCEPT:

Glacial surges are caused by:

Tillite is:

All of the following statements concerning extensive glaciation during the Permian Period are true EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements about striations is NOT true?

All of the following describe the most recent extensive glaciation in North America EXCEPT:

A terminal moraine forms when:

The "Little Ice Age":

Describe the formation of glacial ice.

The glacier's zone of accumulation can be recognized by:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters

Exam 17: Glaciers and Ice Ages

By the year 2030, global warming may have raised sea level as much as:

Recent discoveries about the ice ages that developed from ice- core studies include all of the following EXCEPT:

The best records of land- based glacial climates come from:

Till appears different from outwash in that:

The marine record of ancient climatic changes is obtained by all of the following methods EXCEPT:

In a confined glacier, the terminus of a glacier advances downslope under which conditions?

The current glaciation on Mars probably consists of:

All of the following statements concerning permafrost are true EXCEPT:

The principal effect of Milankovitch's astronomical cycles is that:

Glacial ice forms for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

All of the following theories have been rejected as explanations of the triggering mechanism for continental glaciation EXCEPT:

Glacial surges are caused by:

Tillite is:

All of the following statements concerning extensive glaciation during the Permian Period are true EXCEPT:

Which of the following statements about striations is NOT true?

All of the following describe the most recent extensive glaciation in North America EXCEPT:

A terminal moraine forms when:

The "Little Ice Age":

Describe the formation of glacial ice.

The glacier's zone of accumulation can be recognized by:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters