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Glaciers and Ice Caps: Melting and Retreat

Description: Glaciers and Ice Caps: Melting and Retreat
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: glaciers ice caps melting retreat climate change
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What is the primary cause of glacier and ice cap melting and retreat?

  1. Increased solar radiation

  2. Volcanic activity

  3. Human-induced climate change

  4. Natural climate variability


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The primary cause of glacier and ice cap melting and retreat is human-induced climate change, particularly the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which leads to global warming and rising temperatures.

Which region is experiencing the most significant glacier and ice cap melting and retreat?

  1. Arctic

  2. Antarctic

  3. Himalayas

  4. Patagonia


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Arctic region is experiencing the most significant glacier and ice cap melting and retreat due to the amplified warming effect known as Arctic amplification.

What is the impact of glacier and ice cap melting on sea levels?

  1. Sea levels rise

  2. Sea levels fall

  3. Sea levels remain constant

  4. Sea levels fluctuate unpredictably


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Glacier and ice cap melting contributes to sea-level rise as the melted water adds to the volume of the oceans.

How does glacier and ice cap melting affect ecosystems?

  1. It disrupts habitats and biodiversity

  2. It improves water quality

  3. It increases agricultural productivity

  4. It has no significant impact on ecosystems


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Glacier and ice cap melting disrupts habitats and biodiversity, particularly in polar and high-altitude regions, as species adapted to these cold environments face habitat loss and altered ecosystems.

What is the term used to describe the process of glacier and ice cap melting and retreat?

  1. Glacial recession

  2. Glacial advance

  3. Glacial equilibrium

  4. Glacial stagnation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Glacial recession refers to the process of glacier and ice cap melting and retreat, characterized by the reduction in glacier mass and extent.

What is the role of positive feedback loops in glacier and ice cap melting?

  1. They accelerate melting and retreat

  2. They slow down melting and retreat

  3. They have no impact on melting and retreat

  4. They reverse melting and retreat


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Positive feedback loops in glacier and ice cap melting involve processes that reinforce and accelerate the melting and retreat. For example, as glaciers melt, they expose darker surfaces that absorb more solar radiation, leading to further melting.

Which glacier is known as the 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its potential to contribute significantly to sea-level rise?

  1. Thwaites Glacier

  2. Pine Island Glacier

  3. Jakobshavn Glacier

  4. Helheim Glacier


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is often referred to as the 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its potential to contribute significantly to sea-level rise if it collapses.

How does glacier and ice cap melting affect the availability of freshwater resources?

  1. It increases freshwater availability

  2. It decreases freshwater availability

  3. It has no impact on freshwater availability

  4. It varies depending on the region


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The impact of glacier and ice cap melting on freshwater availability varies depending on the region. In some areas, melting glaciers can provide additional freshwater resources, while in others, it can lead to water scarcity due to the loss of glacier-fed rivers and streams.

What is the term used to describe the process of ice loss from the edges of glaciers and ice caps?

  1. Calving

  2. Ablation

  3. Accumulation

  4. Sublimation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Calving refers to the process of ice loss from the edges of glaciers and ice caps, where large chunks of ice break off and fall into the ocean or a lake.

How does glacier and ice cap melting affect the global energy balance?

  1. It increases the Earth's albedo

  2. It decreases the Earth's albedo

  3. It has no impact on the Earth's albedo

  4. It varies depending on the season


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Glacier and ice cap melting decreases the Earth's albedo, which is the proportion of solar radiation reflected back into space. As white ice surfaces are replaced by darker surfaces, such as water or bare rock, more solar radiation is absorbed, contributing to global warming.

What is the term used to describe the process of ice loss from the surface of glaciers and ice caps due to melting and evaporation?

  1. Ablation

  2. Calving

  3. Accumulation

  4. Sublimation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ablation refers to the process of ice loss from the surface of glaciers and ice caps due to melting and evaporation.

How does glacier and ice cap melting affect the behavior of ocean currents?

  1. It disrupts ocean currents

  2. It strengthens ocean currents

  3. It has no impact on ocean currents

  4. It reverses ocean currents


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Glacier and ice cap melting can disrupt ocean currents by altering the density and temperature of ocean water. This can have implications for global climate patterns and marine ecosystems.

What is the term used to describe the process of ice loss from the surface of glaciers and ice caps due to direct conversion from solid ice to water vapor?

  1. Ablation

  2. Calving

  3. Accumulation

  4. Sublimation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sublimation refers to the process of ice loss from the surface of glaciers and ice caps due to direct conversion from solid ice to water vapor.

How does glacier and ice cap melting affect the global carbon cycle?

  1. It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

  2. It absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

  3. It has no impact on the global carbon cycle

  4. It varies depending on the region


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Glacier and ice cap melting can release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as organic matter that was previously frozen in the ice becomes exposed and decomposes.

What is the term used to describe the process of ice gain on the surface of glaciers and ice caps through snowfall and accumulation?

  1. Ablation

  2. Calving

  3. Accumulation

  4. Sublimation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Accumulation refers to the process of ice gain on the surface of glaciers and ice caps through snowfall and accumulation.

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