Glacier National Park Geography Quiz
Glacial landforms, alpine climate (10 questions).
Glacier National Park Geography Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Glacier National Park, often called the “Crown of the Continent,” is a prime example of a landscape profoundly shaped by glaciation. Its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and pristine lakes offer a living laboratory for understanding glacial landforms and the unique challenges of an alpine climate. This section provides quick study notes to deepen your understanding of these geographical elements.
Key Geographical Features
Key Takeaways
- Glacier National Park is renowned for its extensive glacial landforms, despite the current retreat of its glaciers.
- Key erosional features include U-shaped valleys, cirques, arêtes, and horns.
- Depositional landforms like moraines reveal past glacial extent.
- The alpine climate is characterized by significant snowpack, short cool summers, and harsh winters.
- High-altitude ecosystems support specialized flora and fauna adapted to extreme conditions.
- Tarns and other glacial lakes are a prominent feature, fed by snowmelt and rain.
- The park serves as a crucial area for climate change studies due to rapid glacial retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cirque in Glacier National Park?
A cirque is a bowl-shaped depression at the head of a glacial valley, carved by glacial erosion. Many of the park’s iconic lakes, known as tarns, are found within these cirques.
How has the alpine climate affected vegetation in Glacier National Park?
The harsh alpine climate, with its short growing season, cold temperatures, and high winds, has led to the development of alpine tundra ecosystems. Plants are typically low-growing, perennial, and adapted to store nutrients and reproduce quickly.
What are moraines, and where can they be seen in the park?
Moraines are accumulations of unsorted rock and sediment deposited by a glacier. They can be found as ridges (terminal, lateral) or mounds throughout the park, often defining the edges of past glacial advances, even around current lakes like Lake McDonald.
Why are U-shaped valleys common in Glacier National Park?
U-shaped valleys are characteristic of landscapes that have been heavily glaciated. As glaciers moved through pre-existing river valleys, their immense weight and erosive power widened and deepened the valleys, giving them a distinctive U-profile.
What is the significance of the “alpine tundra” zone in the park?
The alpine tundra zone is a high-altitude ecosystem above the treeline, characterized by dwarf shrubs, grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. It’s significant for its unique biodiversity, sensitivity to climate change, and role in water retention through snowpack.
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