Kenai Fjords National Park Geography Quiz
Fjords, glaciers, coastal processes (10 questions).
Kenai Fjords National Park Geography Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Explore the unique geographical wonders of Kenai Fjords National Park, a land shaped by immense geological forces. This quiz and study guide delve into the park’s iconic fjords, the powerful glaciers that sculpted its landscape, and the ongoing coastal processes that continue to define its rugged beauty.
Key Concepts from the Outline:
Key Takeaways:
- Kenai Fjords is defined by its deep, ocean-filled glacial valleys.
- Active glaciers are the primary sculptors of the park’s dramatic topography.
- Coastal erosion continuously reshapes the rugged shoreline, forming sea caves and arches.
- Glacial retreat leads to significant landform changes and impacts ecosystems.
- Tidewater glaciers are a unique feature, calving icebergs directly into the sea.
- The park’s geography showcases dynamic interactions between ice, land, and ocean.
- Isostatic rebound is an ongoing geological process in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is a fjord and how is it formed in Kenai Fjords National Park?
A: A fjord is a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea, typically flanked by steep cliffs. In Kenai Fjords, they are formed when glaciers erode ancient river valleys, carving them into characteristic U-shapes, which are then submerged by rising sea levels after the glaciers retreat.
Q2: What role do glaciers play in shaping the landscape of Kenai Fjords?
A: Glaciers are the primary geological sculptors of Kenai Fjords. Through processes like plucking and abrasion, they carve out valleys, create cirques, and deposit vast amounts of sediment, forming moraines and other glacial features. The park’s dramatic mountains and deep fjords are direct results of past and present glacial activity.
Q3: What are some examples of coastal processes seen in Kenai Fjords?
A: Coastal processes in Kenai Fjords include marine erosion, which forms sea arches, caves, and stacks from the powerful wave action against the rugged coastline. Sea-level changes, influenced by both global warming and isostatic rebound, also dynamically reshape the shoreline and affect coastal ecosystems.
Q4: What is Exit Glacier and why is it significant?
A: Exit Glacier is a prominent valley glacier within Kenai Fjords National Park and is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska by road. It’s significant as a visible indicator of climate change, with its ongoing retreat providing clear evidence of global warming’s impact on glacial systems.
Q5: How does glacial retreat impact the coastal environment of Kenai Fjords?
A: Glacial retreat has several significant impacts. It exposes new land, leading to primary succession and new ecosystem development. It also contributes to rising sea levels, changes in freshwater input to fjords, and the phenomenon of isostatic rebound, where the land rises as the weight of the ice is removed, altering coastal geomorphology.
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