Acadia National Park Geography Quiz
Glaciated coast, granite domes (10 questions).
Acadia National Park Geography Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Acadia National Park, nestled primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, presents a breathtaking landscape forged by immense geological forces. This quiz and accompanying notes explore the two defining characteristics of its geography: a rugged, glaciated coastline and majestic granite domes, revealing how ancient ice and resilient rock combine to create this unique natural wonder.
Key Geographical Features
Key Takeaways
- Acadia’s dramatic landscape is predominantly a product of repeated glacial advances and retreats during the Ice Ages, which ended about 12,000 years ago.
- The park’s underlying geology is dominated by intrusive igneous rock, primarily pink granite, which forms its iconic mountains and cliffs.
- Glacial erosion created distinctive U-shaped valleys, smoothed rock surfaces, and left behind features like glacial erratics (large boulders).
- The rugged coastline, with its deep harbors, coves, and numerous islands, is a direct result of glacial scouring as ice sheets moved towards the Atlantic.
- Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet (466 meters), is the highest point on the U.S. East Coast and a classic example of a glacially-rounded granite dome.
- The interaction between ancient granite bedrock and powerful glacial ice defines Acadia’s unique blend of mountains meeting the sea.
Frequently Asked Questions about Acadia’s Geography
What are the main geological features of Acadia National Park?
Acadia National Park is primarily defined by its glaciated coast and majestic granite domes. These features result from a combination of ancient igneous rock formations and intense glacial activity during the Ice Ages, creating a rugged, picturesque landscape where mountains meet the sea.
How did glaciation affect Acadia’s coastline?
Glaciation profoundly shaped Acadia’s coastline by carving out deep, U-shaped valleys that extended into the ocean, forming dramatic inlets, coves, and harbors. The moving ice sheets also scoured the bedrock, leaving behind smoothed rock surfaces, rocky headlands, and numerous small islands.
What is the significance of granite in Acadia’s landscape?
Granite is the foundational rock of Acadia National Park. It forms the park’s prominent mountains, including Cadillac Mountain, and much of its rugged coastline. The granite, often displaying a pinkish hue due to feldspar, gives Acadia its characteristic resilient, ancient, and visually striking appearance.
Which famous mountain in Acadia exemplifies a granite dome?
Cadillac Mountain is the most famous example of a granite dome in Acadia National Park. Its rounded summit and slopes were smoothed and shaped by successive glaciers, exposing the underlying granite bedrock. It is also notable as the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard of the U.S.
What are some visible signs of glacial activity in Acadia?
Visible signs of glacial activity in Acadia include U-shaped valleys, such as the one containing Jordan Pond; smoothed, polished rock surfaces; glacial striations (scratches on rock caused by moving ice); and glacial erratics (large boulders transported and deposited by glaciers).
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