Glaciers Vocabulary and Landforms

Explain the process of basal slip in glaciers.

• Basal slip is the sliding of a glacier over its bed due to the presence of meltwater at the base, which reduces friction.

• Basal slip occurs when glaciers freeze to the ground and do not move.

• Basal slip is the process of glaciers breaking apart into smaller pieces.

• Basal slip happens when glaciers are pushed forward by tectonic forces.

Define glacial till.

• A type of sediment formed by wind erosion.

• Unsorted sediment deposited directly by a glacier, consisting of a mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders.

• Sediment that is sorted and layered by water.

• A type of soil found in tropical regions.

What is a moraine?

• A type of tree found in cold climates.

• An accumulation of debris transported and deposited by a glacier, often forming ridges.

• A geological formation created by volcanic activity.

• A body of water formed by melting glaciers.

What is the term for the line below which snow does not melt in a glacier?

• Snow line

• Ice cap

• Glacier edge

• Melt zone

At what temperature does water freeze in degrees Fahrenheit?

• 30 degrees Fahrenheit

• 32 degrees Fahrenheit

• 28 degrees Fahrenheit

• 34 degrees Fahrenheit

What are the main types of glaciers?

• Alpine glaciers and continental glaciers

• Glacial lakes and icebergs

• Permafrost and sea ice

• Ice caps and ice shelves

What role do glaciers play in the hydrological cycle?

• They evaporate water into the atmosphere.

• They store freshwater and release it slowly as they melt, contributing to river systems and groundwater supplies.

• They block rivers and create lakes.

• They have no significant impact on the hydrological cycle.

What is the difference between a glacier and an ice sheet?

• A glacier is a massive, continuous layer of ice covering a large area, while an ice sheet is a smaller body of ice that forms in mountainous areas.

• A glacier is a smaller body of ice that forms in mountainous areas, while an ice sheet is a massive, continuous layer of ice covering a large area, such as Antarctica.

• A glacier is a type of ice sheet that only forms in polar regions.

• A glacier and an ice sheet are the same, both referring to large bodies of ice.

What is an erratic in geology?

• A type of sedimentary rock formed by volcanic activity.

• A rock or boulder that has been transported from its original location by glacial action and is not native to the area where it is found.

• A mineral that is commonly found in igneous rocks.

• A fossilized remains of ancient marine life.

How does climate change affect glaciers?

• Climate change leads to increased temperatures, resulting in accelerated melting of glaciers, which contributes to rising sea levels and altered ecosystems.

• Climate change causes glaciers to grow larger and thicker, leading to lower sea levels.

• Climate change has no significant impact on glaciers or sea levels.

• Climate change results in more snowfall, which helps to preserve glaciers.