Deck 46: Periglacial Environments and Landscapes

Question 1

Areas that are near-glacial or on the perimeter of glaciation are termed:

A) glacial
B) interglacial
C) periglacial
D) permafrost

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The permafrost layer typically begins between _____ below the surface.

A) 0 to 15 cm
B) 15 cm to 5 m
C) 5 m to 15 m
D) 5 cm to 15 cm

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The upper surface of the permafrost is called the:

A) permafrost table
B) ice sheet
C) frozen mud
D) snow layer

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The soil above the permafrost table is subject to annual freezing and thawing. This is layer is referred to as the ____ layer.

A) permafrost
B) water table
C) active
D) talik

Question 5

The location under lakes or other bodies of water that are deep enough that do not freeze or may not have a permafrost altogether is called a:

A) active
B) talik
C) periglacial
D) permafrost

Question 6

All of the following influence the thickness of the active layer EXCEPT:

A) soil texture
B) vegetation cover
C) local climate conditions
D) depth of snow in summer

Question 7

The permafrost has the ability to keep thickening season after season in high-latitude areas. Which factor limits this thickening process?

A) warm temperatures during the summer
B) the angle of the sun
C) Earth's interior heat
D) none of the above

Question 8

Another name for frost action is:

A) frost wedging
B) freezing action
C) frost heaving
D) frost creep

Question 9

Freezing and thawing of water can dislodge large boulders from cliffs.

Question 10

When rocks are moved upward within the active layer above the permafrost, it is undergoing _____ that is triggered by the expanding of ice in the ground.

A) frost wedging
B) frost heaving
C) frost thrusting
D) frost creep

Question 11

_____ is the slow downslope movement of particles above the permafrost under the influence of gravity.

A) frost wedging
B) frost heaving
C) frost thrusting
D) frost creep

Question 12

Solifluction is a form of fast mass movement that is a combination of frost creep and gelifluction.

Question 13

The following are terms that describe an area made up of blocky rock fragments formed from the mechanical breakdown of bedrock by repeated freezing and thawing EXCEPT:

A) ice-wedge polygons
B) patterned ground
C) pingos
D) boulder fields

Question 14

The formation of ice-wedge polygons in a periglacial landscape with continuous permafrost begins with:

A) freezing of water in cracks in the ground expands
B) freezing of water in cracks in the ground causing contracts
C) thawing and filling of water in expanded cracks
D) thawing and filling of water in contracted cracks

Question 15

The construction of different shapes of periglacial rock and soil debris within the periglacial zone is known as:

A) ice-wedge polygons
B) patterned ground
C) pingos
D) boulder fields