ASBOG Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology 2

Question 1

Which landform is produced when a river deposits sediment at its mouth as it enters a standing body of water?

Accepted Answer

Delta

Answer

A delta forms when a river loses velocity and deposits sediment as it enters a lake or ocean.

Question 2

The Wisconsin glaciation in North America ended approximately how many years ago?

Accepted Answer

10,000 years ago

Answer

The Wisconsin glacial stage ended approximately 10,000 years before present, marking the start of the Holocene.

Question 3

A 'roche moutonnée' is a glacially sculpted bedrock feature characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Smooth upstream face and steep downstream face

Answer

Roche moutonnée has a smooth, striated stoss (upstream) side shaped by abrasion and a rough, steep lee (downstream) side from glacial plucking.

Question 4

What term describes the maximum elevation above which snow accumulation exceeds ablation on a glacier?

Accepted Answer

Equilibrium line altitude

Answer

The equilibrium line altitude (ELA) separates the accumulation zone above from the ablation zone below on a glacier.

Question 5

Which Quaternary dating method relies on the accumulation of cosmogenic nuclides in surface rocks exposed to cosmic radiation?

Accepted Answer

Surface exposure dating

Answer

Surface exposure dating measures cosmogenic nuclides like ¹⁰Be and ²⁶Al that accumulate in rock surfaces exposed to cosmic rays.

ASBOG - Association of State Boards of Geology Practice Test