Glaciation & Ice-Shaped Landforms in the US Quiz
Glacial valleys, moraines, Great Lakes origin (10 questions).
Glaciation & Ice-Shaped Landforms in the US Quiz: Quick Study Notes
During the Pleistocene Epoch, massive ice sheets reshaped the North American landscape. From the Great Lakes to the jagged peaks of the Rockies, glaciation left behind distinctive fingerprints. This quiz tests your knowledge of how ice carved valleys, deposited ridges, and formed the topography we see today.
Key Takeaways
- Glaciers erode rock to create U-shaped valleys, cirques, and fjords.
- The Great Lakes hold about 21% of the world’s surface fresh water, a legacy of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.
- Terminal moraines represent the furthest advance of the ice sheet.
- Drumlins are elongated hills that point in the direction of ice flow.
- Glacial erratics are large boulders moved far from their geological source.
- Eskers are winding ridges of gravel deposited by subglacial rivers.
What is the difference between a glacial valley and a river valley?
River valleys are typically V-shaped due to vertical erosion by water, whereas glacial valleys are U-shaped because the massive ice erodes the valley floor and walls simultaneously.
How were the Great Lakes formed?
They were formed by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which gouged out deep basins in the earth’s crust. As the ice melted, these basins filled with meltwater.
What is a terminal moraine?
A terminal moraine is a ridge of debris (till) pushed to the front of a glacier, marking the maximum limit of its advance before it retreated.
Where can I see glacial landforms in the US today?
Prominent examples include Yosemite National Park (valleys), Cape Cod (moraines), the Great Lakes, and the Finger Lakes in New York.
What is a glacial erratic?
An erratic is a rock or boulder that differs from the surrounding bedrock, having been transported a significant distance by glacial ice.
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