Glaciated Landscapes Quiz

What are the long-term factors of climate change?

• Milankovitch Cycles

• Variations in Solar Output

• Volcanic Eruptions

• Glacial Movement

Answer explanation

The long-term factors of climate change are primarily driven by Milankovitch Cycles. These cycles are related to Earth's orbital variations, which affect the amount of sunlight received at different latitudes and seasons. This, in turn, influences the global climate over thousands of years. Variations in solar output, volcanic eruptions, and glacial movement can also impact climate, but Milankovitch Cycles are the main long-term factor.

What is the term given to frozen water on the earth's surface?

• Cryosphere

• Periglaciation

• Glacial Erosion

• Glacial Deposition

Answer explanation

The term given to frozen water on the earth's surface is Cryosphere. It refers to the portions of the Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including ice sheets, glaciers, and frozen ground. The other options, Periglaciation, Glacial Erosion, and Glacial Deposition, are related to glacial processes but do not specifically refer to the frozen water on the earth's surface.

What is the process of glaciers gaining more mass than they lose called?

• Positive Mass Balance

• Negative Mass Balance

• Basal Slip

• Regelation Creep

Answer explanation

The process of glaciers gaining more mass than they lose is called Positive Mass Balance. This occurs when the accumulation of snow and ice exceeds the loss due to melting, evaporation, or calving. In contrast, Negative Mass Balance refers to the situation where glaciers lose more mass than they gain. Basal Slip and Regelation Creep are processes related to glacier movement, not mass balance.

What process occurs when rocks become embedded in the glacier and rub against the bedrock?

• Abrasion

• Quarrying

• Plucking

• Crushing

Answer explanation

Abrasion is the correct answer because it refers to the process where rocks embedded in a glacier scrape and wear down the underlying bedrock as the glacier moves. This action results in the smoothing and polishing of the bedrock surface. The other options, quarrying, plucking, and crushing, do not accurately describe this specific process.

What is the term for the material deposited at the snout of a glacier on the valley floor?

• Terminal Moraine

• Medial Moraine

• Lateral Moraine

• Recessional Moraine

Answer explanation

The term for the material deposited at the snout of a glacier on the valley floor is Terminal Moraine. It forms when a glacier deposits its load of sediment at its furthest point of advance. This creates a ridge-like accumulation of unsorted debris, which marks the maximum extent of the glacier.

What is the main threat to glaciated landscapes?

• Climate Change

• Natural Hazards

• Human Activities

• Soil Erosion

Answer explanation

The main threat to glaciated landscapes is climate change. It causes global temperatures to rise, leading to the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. This process results in the loss of these unique landscapes and the ecosystems they support. While natural hazards, human activities, and soil erosion can also impact glaciated landscapes, climate change poses the most significant threat due to its widespread and long-term effects.

What is the process of managing threats to glaciated landscapes called?

• Conservation

• Management

• Agreements

• Legislative Frameworks

Answer explanation

The process of managing threats to glaciated landscapes is called 'Management'. This involves planning and implementing strategies to protect these landscapes from various threats such as climate change, human activities, etc. The other options, 'Conservation', 'Agreements', and 'Legislative Frameworks' are related but do not directly describe the process.

What is the term for the global energy alterations due to the variation in the earth's orbit?

• Milankovitch Cycles

• Eccentricity

• Tilt

• Wobble/Axial Precession

Answer explanation

The term for the global energy alterations due to the variation in the earth's orbit is known as 'Milankovitch Cycles'. These cycles are a result of changes in the earth's eccentricity, axial tilt, and precession. However, the term 'Milankovitch Cycles' encompasses all these changes, making it the correct choice for the question.

What is the term for the movement of wet soil/material down a slope?

• Solifluction

• Nivation

• Frost Heave

• Freezethaw

Answer explanation

The term for the movement of wet soil/material down a slope is called 'Solifluction'. This process occurs in periglacial environments where the soil is saturated with water. The other options, Nivation, Frost Heave, and Freezethaw, are also related to periglacial processes but they do not specifically refer to the movement of wet soil down a slope.

What is the term for the process of water getting into the cracks of rocks, freezing, and then expanding?

• Subaerial Freeze Thaw

• Abrasion

• Quarrying

• Plucking

Answer explanation

The term for the process of water getting into the cracks of rocks, freezing, and then expanding is 'Subaerial Freeze Thaw'. This process is a type of weathering where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes due to low temperatures, and expands, causing the rock to break apart. The other options, Abrasion, Quarrying, and Plucking, do not describe this specific process.