Thwaites Glacier Discovery Quiz

What method did scientists use to gain insights into what lies beneath the Thwaites Glacier?

• Trucks equipped with large vibrators

• Satellites with ground-penetrating radar

• Drones with high-resolution cameras

• Boats with sonar equipment

What did scientists find beneath the Thwaites Glacier's surface far inland from where it meets the ocean?

• Underwater caves

• Ancient fossils

• Uneven hills and blocks of rock

• Smooth ice surface

What do the ground irregularities beneath the Thwaites Glacier seem to be doing?

• Accelerating the glacier's movement towards the ocean

• Having no impact on the glacier's movement

• Slowing down the glacier's movement towards the ocean

• Causing the glacier to change direction

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

What do computer simulations reveal about the glacier's movement?

• The glacier moves smoothly without any obstacles

• The glacier changes shape as it moves

• The glacier gets stuck on tall underground features

• The glacier moves faster over bumpy hills

What role do the bumpy hills beneath the Thwaites Glacier play in impeding its progress?

• They act like fuel for the glacier's movement

• They provide a smooth path for the glacier

• They act like speed bumps, slowing down the glacier's progress

• They have no impact on the glacier's movement

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What can scientists potentially improve by unraveling the mysteries of what lies beneath the Thwaites Glacier?

• Predictions regarding future earthquakes

• Predictions regarding future asteroid impacts

• Predictions regarding future sea level rise

• Predictions regarding future volcanic eruptions

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

What impact may the ground irregularities beneath the Thwaites Glacier have on its retreat?

• They may be causing the glacier to expand

• They may be slightly slowing down the glacier's retreat

• They may be accelerating the glacier's retreat

• They may have no impact on the glacier's retreat

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

What does the newfound knowledge about the Thwaites Glacier offer hope for?

• Hope for building a tourist resort on the glacier

• Hope for finding hidden treasure beneath the glacier

• Hope for better understanding and managing the impacts of climate change

• Hope for discovering new species in Antarctica

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

What is the size of the Thwaites Glacier in comparison to a US state?

• As big as Alaska

• As big as Texas

• As big as California

• As big as Florida

What is the main concern related to the Thwaites Glacier mentioned in the introduction?

• Its decreasing size

• Its movement towards the mainland

• Its increasing height

• Its rapid melting

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1