Question 1

Describe the characteristics and formation of ice wedges and ice-wedge polygons.

Accepted Answer

Ice wedges are large, vertical cracks in the ground that form as a result of repeated freezing and thawing of the soil. They are typically found in permafrost regions where the ground remains frozen for a significant portion of the year. The formation of ice wedges begins when water seeps into the cracks in the ground during the warmer months. As the temperature drops, the water freezes and expands, causing the crack to widen. Over time, this process is repeated, and the ice wedge grows larger and deeper into the ground.

Ice-wedge polygons are a characteristic feature of permafrost landscapes and are formed as a result of the presence of ice wedges. As the ice wedges grow and expand, they create a pattern of interconnected polygons on the surface of the ground. These polygons can vary in size, but they are typically several meters across and are often visible from the air. The formation of ice-wedge polygons is a result of the differential expansion and contraction of the ground as the ice wedges grow and shrink with changes in temperature.

Overall, the characteristics of ice wedges and ice-wedge polygons are closely tied to the freezing and thawing of the ground in permafrost regions. These features are important indicators of the presence of permafrost and play a significant role in shaping the landscape in these environments.

Question 2

Describe and explain the different forms of physical weathering.

Accepted Answer

Physical weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. There are several different forms of physical weathering, each of which is caused by different environmental factors.

One form of physical weathering is frost wedging, which occurs in areas with frequent freeze-thaw cycles. When water seeps into cracks in rocks and then freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the surrounding rock and causing it to break apart.

Another form of physical weathering is exfoliation, which occurs in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations. As rocks heat up and expand during the day and then cool down and contract at night, the outer layers of the rock can peel away, leading to the formation of large, curved sheets of rock.

Abrasion is another form of physical weathering, which is caused by the rubbing and grinding of rocks against each other. This can occur in areas with strong winds or fast-moving water, where particles of sand and other debris can act like sandpaper, wearing away at the surface of the rocks.

Finally, biological activity can also contribute to physical weathering. Plant roots can grow into cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart, while burrowing animals can also contribute to the breakdown of rocks and minerals.

Overall, physical weathering is a natural process that occurs over time and is influenced by a variety of environmental factors. It plays a crucial role in the formation of soil and the shaping of landscapes.

Question 3

Which of the following may lead to the environmental degradation of permafrost?

Accepted Answer

A) deposition of sediments 
B) addition of organic matter to the soil surface 
C) removal of surface vegetation 
D) growth of natural surface vegetation 
E) all of the above 
A) deposition of sediments 
B) addition of organic matter to the soil surface 
C) removal of surface vegetation 
D) growth of natural surface vegetation 
E) all of the above C

Question 4

Water penetrating into rock and soil promotes chemical weathering by acting as a weak

Accepted Answer

A) acid 
B) base 
C) saline solution 
D) neutral agent 
E) none of the above 
A) acid 
B) base 
C) saline solution 
D) neutral agent 
E) none of the above

Question 5

Which of the following types of weathering affects limestone and occurs predominantly in humid areas?

Accepted Answer

A) frost action 
B) spheroidal weathering 
C) acid action 
D) eluviation 
E) hydrolysis 
A) frost action 
B) spheroidal weathering 
C) acid action 
D) eluviation 
E) hydrolysis

Question 6

Describe and explain the different forms of mass wasting.

Accepted Answer

Mass wasting, also known as mass movemen

Question 7

A conical mound with a core of ice found in periglacial regions is referred to as a:

Accepted Answer

A) pingo 
B) talik 
C) tailing 
D) wedge 
E) polygon 
A) pingo 
B) talik 
C) tailing 
D) wedge 
E) polygon

Question 8

Slumping is an example of a _________________.

Accepted Answer

A) creep movement 
B) earthflow movement 
C) slide movement 
D) fall movement 
E) solifluction 
A) creep movement 
B) earthflow movement 
C) slide movement 
D) fall movement 
E) solifluction

Question 9

Stone polygons commonly form in silty alluvium associated with river floodplains and delta plain in periglacial regions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

________________ refers to large areas covered by angular,broken rock

Accepted Answer

A) alluvium 
B) bedrock 
C) felsenmeer 
D) moraine 
E) solifluction 
A) alluvium 
B) bedrock 
C) felsenmeer 
D) moraine 
E) solifluction

Question 11

Solifluction results in the slow gradual bending of layered rock strata such as shales or slates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Describe and explain the relative location of different forms of permafrost.

Accepted Answer

Permafrost is a type of ground that rema

Question 13

Salt crystallization involves the deposition and growth of salt,calcite or gypsum which can break rocks apart grain by grain.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Describe and explain the formation of stone polygons with particular reference to sorting and slope gradient.

Accepted Answer

Stone polygons are a unique geological f

Question 15

Soil Creep is the term used to describe the very slow downhill movement of soil and regolith.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following types of mass movements is fastest and least dependent upon moist or saturated conditions?

Accepted Answer

A) solifluction 
B) rock fall 
C) slide 
D) slump 
A) solifluction 
B) rock fall 
C) slide 
D) slump

Question 17

Which of the following indicates oxidation?

Accepted Answer

A) spheroidal weathering 
B) red coloration of rocks and soil 
C) joints in rocks being opened up freezing and thawing 
D) the splitting of rocks by plant roots 
E) mass wasting 
A) spheroidal weathering 
B) red coloration of rocks and soil 
C) joints in rocks being opened up freezing and thawing 
D) the splitting of rocks by plant roots 
E) mass wasting

Question 18

The gaps in permafrost are known as:

Accepted Answer

A) pingos 
B) taliks 
C) tailings 
D) wedges 
E) polygons 
A) pingos 
B) taliks 
C) tailings 
D) wedges 
E) polygons

Question 19

Which of the following types of permafrost may be found under lakes or rivers?

Accepted Answer

A) continuous permafrost 
B) discontinuous permafrost 
C) alpine permafrost 
D) sub-sea permafrost 
E) sporadic permafrost 
A) continuous permafrost 
B) discontinuous permafrost 
C) alpine permafrost 
D) sub-sea permafrost 
E) sporadic permafrost

Question 20

Regolith that is transported by running water is termed Colluvium.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Describe the characteristics and formation of ice wedges and ice-wedge polygons.

Describe and explain the different forms of physical weathering.

Which of the following may lead to the environmental degradation of permafrost?

Water penetrating into rock and soil promotes chemical weathering by acting as a weak

Which of the following types of weathering affects limestone and occurs predominantly in humid areas?

Describe and explain the different forms of mass wasting.

A conical mound with a core of ice found in periglacial regions is referred to as a:

Slumping is an example of a _________________.

Stone polygons commonly form in silty alluvium associated with river floodplains and delta plain in periglacial regions.

________________ refers to large areas covered by angular,broken rock

Solifluction results in the slow gradual bending of layered rock strata such as shales or slates.

Describe and explain the relative location of different forms of permafrost.

Salt crystallization involves the deposition and growth of salt,calcite or gypsum which can break rocks apart grain by grain.

Describe and explain the formation of stone polygons with particular reference to sorting and slope gradient.

Soil Creep is the term used to describe the very slow downhill movement of soil and regolith.

Which of the following types of mass movements is fastest and least dependent upon moist or saturated conditions?

Which of the following indicates oxidation?

The gaps in permafrost are known as:

Which of the following types of permafrost may be found under lakes or rivers?

Regolith that is transported by running water is termed Colluvium.

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The Earths Global Energy Balance

Air Temperature

Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation

Winds and the Global Circulation System

Weather Systems

Global Climates

Biogeographic Processes

Global Biogeography

Global Soils

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Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms

Fresh Water of the Continents

Landforms Made by Running Water

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Glacier Landforms and the Ice Age

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Exam 13: Weathering and Mass Wasting

Describe the characteristics and formation of ice wedges and ice-wedge polygons.

Describe and explain the different forms of physical weathering.

Which of the following may lead to the environmental degradation of permafrost?

Water penetrating into rock and soil promotes chemical weathering by acting as a weak

Which of the following types of weathering affects limestone and occurs predominantly in humid areas?

Describe and explain the different forms of mass wasting.

A conical mound with a core of ice found in periglacial regions is referred to as a:

Slumping is an example of a _________________.

Stone polygons commonly form in silty alluvium associated with river floodplains and delta plain in periglacial regions.

________________ refers to large areas covered by angular,broken rock

Solifluction results in the slow gradual bending of layered rock strata such as shales or slates.

Describe and explain the relative location of different forms of permafrost.

Salt crystallization involves the deposition and growth of salt,calcite or gypsum which can break rocks apart grain by grain.

Describe and explain the formation of stone polygons with particular reference to sorting and slope gradient.

Soil Creep is the term used to describe the very slow downhill movement of soil and regolith.

Which of the following types of mass movements is fastest and least dependent upon moist or saturated conditions?

Which of the following indicates oxidation?

The gaps in permafrost are known as:

Which of the following types of permafrost may be found under lakes or rivers?

Regolith that is transported by running water is termed Colluvium.

The Earth As a Rotating Planet

The Earths Global Energy Balance

Air Temperature

Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation

Winds and the Global Circulation System

Weather Systems

Global Climates

Biogeographic Processes

Global Biogeography

Global Soils

Earth Materials

Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms

Fresh Water of the Continents

Landforms Made by Running Water

Landforms Made by Waves and Wind

Glacier Landforms and the Ice Age

Filters