DYNAMIC PLANET
DIVISION B EVENT
2014 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
EVENT SUPERVISORS:
MARK AND BONNIE VANHECKE
EAST CHINA, MICHIGAN
2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
1. In his 1927 book The Logic of Modern Physics, American physicist Percy Bridgman coined the term Operational Definition as a means for scientists in all fields to detect and measure properties. The term Glaciation can be operationally defined as:
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
The formation and movement of ice over an extended area
An extended mass of ice formed when the cumulation of snow exceeds the rate of ablation over time and acquires sufficient mass to move away from its zone of accumulation.
The formation of and outward movement of ice downward from high mountains
An extended mass of ice formed when the cumulation of snow acquires sufficient mass to begin to move away from its zone of accumulation
2. Use the chart and terms shown below to correctly identify the formative sequence of a glacier. Write the term in its correct sequence from the top of the glacier (A) to its bottom(D).
SEQUENCE ITEMS IN THEIR CORRECT ORDER FROM A-D
Granular Ice
Glacial Ice
Snow
Firn
Next, identify the percentage of air content found at each of the levels you previously placed into sequence.
Write the correct percentage of air content in the spaces to the right of each level on your Answer Sheet.
PLACE EACH ITEM IN ITS CORRECT POSITION ON THE TABLE
20% as air bubbles
90% air
20-30% air
50% air
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Dynamic Planet Division B
3.
What conclusions can be drawn from your analysis of the data that you sequenced in the previous question?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (3 ANSWERS)
A.
The rate of snow and ice accumulation must exceed the rate of ablation over time for a glacier to form
B.
As the mass of a glacier increases, it’s air content decreases
C.
As the mass of a glacier increases, the air content of its earliest precipitate ac
cumulations decreases
D.
Glacial ice exists at a lower density than that of firn
E.
Gravity exerts downward pressure on accumulating snow to form what will be
come glacial ice
4.
Which glacial feature associated with glacial formation is identified on this Image by the Red Arrow?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Glacial Tarn
B.Horn
C.
Kettle Lake
D.Cirque
5. Changes in glacial mass are often recorded in units of metric weight equivalents (MWE).
Use the table shown to the left to determine the change in the mass balance of the gla
cier in MWEs at this location between 2001 and 2011.
WRITE THE CORRECT ANSWER IN THE SPACE PROVIDED
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
6.
The image shown to the left is that of a glacial crevasse. Crevasses are formed when glacial ice flows over uneven terrain. Which of the following statements likely posit the cause of the crevasse shown in the image and the direction of glacial flow?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
The crevasse formed when the glacier moved around a sharp bend in a valley
B.
The glacier moved over a hill causing the ice to stretch and pull apart
C.
The crevasse formed near the edge of the valley because of friction between the ice and valley walls
D. The person on the right side of the image is closest to the glacier’s zone of accumula
tion
E.
The person on the left side of the image is closest to theglacier’s zone of accumulation
7. In this NASA image of Greenland, What glacial formation process is identified in the area identified by the red circle?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.Ablation
B.Accumulation
C.Plucking
D.Striation
8. Using the NASA image of Greenland shown in the previous question, postulate the likely cause/
consequence of the darker appearance of the glacier near the coast within the area of the circle.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER {CAUSE/CONSEQUENCE}
A.
B.
C.
D.
Terminal deposition of sediment/less absorption of solar radiation
Medial deposition of sediment/greater absorption of solar radiation
Lateral deposition of sediment/greater reflection of solar radiation
Terminal deposition of sediment/greater absorption of solar radiation
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Dynamic Planet Division B
9. Glaciers that reach their terminus or end point will often break off and flow directly into the sea. This process is termed as calving. What happens to this calved ice?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (3 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The calved ice is now termed an iceberg
The ice sinks as its density is greater than that of the liquid water surrounding it
The ice floats as its density is less than that of the liquid water surrounding it
Thermal energy is transferred from the water to the ice
The calved ice does not begin melting until it drifts into lower latitude waters
10.
Which of the following propositions support the correct operational definition of glaciation that you should have identified in Question 1?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (4 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
The movement of glacial ice is always downward from its source
Glaciation is a long-term process
The formation of glacial ice is a consequence of the accumulation of snow
Glaciers always form in mountains
Snow and ice accumulate over extended areas to form glaciers
Gravity and mass are important variables in glacial formation and flow
Glacial flow is always in a northward direction
Snow and ice accumulate in localized areas to form glaciers
11. Which of the arrows indicates the direction of glacial movement in this illustration?
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
Yellow arrow
Red arrow
Blue arrow
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
12. Identify the glacial process indicated by the blue rectangle in the image to the left.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Glacial ablation
Glacial crevassing
Terminal moraine formation
Glacial striation
Glacial plucking
13. Using the statements below, identify the correct sequence of events to explain the basal sliding of glaciers across the Earth’s surface from the earliest to the latest.
SEQUENCE ITEMS IN THEIR CORRECT ORDER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Continued movement of glacial ice transports the sediments away from their point of origin
Pores within the bedrock fill with water. The water in the pores freezes and expands in volume causing the surrounding rock to weaken and eventually break up
Sediments are left by the retreating glacier
Compaction of snow and ice over time increases its density
The mass of ice moves over the bedrock with melted water acting as a lubricant
Ice near the surface of the bedrock melts due to frictional heating created by the mass of ice over the bedrock
14. Identify the glacial process that caused the scratching of the rock shown in the image to the left.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Glacial ablation
Glacial crevassing
Terminal moraine formation
Glacial striation
Glacial plucking
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
15. Which of the following statements can be inferred by the drawing to the left?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Basal sliding occurs as glaciers move over the
surface of bedrock lubricated by liquid water
Gravity is a force that acts upon glaciers
Changes in elevation can influence glacial movement
The velocity of ice is higher near the glacial surface
Ablation occurs near the terminal end of the glacier
16. What glacial process will occur when the stress created by the glacial mass exceeds the ability of the ice to withstand changes in its molecular structure?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Glacial ablation
Glacial crevassing
Terminal moraine formation
Glacial striation
Glacial plucking
17. What generalizations can be made related to glacial ice from the stress/strain chart shown in the previous question?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
An increase in the mass of glacial ice does not necessarily cause its deformation
Ice experiences more deformation in its plastic stage than in its elastic stage
The ice experiences increased strain as it begins to move
Stress refers to the amount of deformation the ice experiences
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Dynamic Planet Division B
18. What glacial feature is indicated by the red circle in the image of Arêtes shown on the left?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.Moraine
B.Tarn
C.Cirque
D.
Kettle lake
19. What pyramid-shaped alpine glacial feature will form from this Arête as erosion occurs within the circled areas of the image-as well as on the backside that is not shown?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.Tarn
B.Horn
C.
Medial moraine
D.
Block field
20.
What glacial feature is formed when a mass of ice breaks off from its parent glacier and digs into the bedrock? The excavated area created by the ice then fills with water when the glacier retreats.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.Tarn
B.Cirque
C.Pond
D.Kettle
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Dynamic Planet Division B
21.
What erosional landform is created by the action of glacial ice shown in the drawing?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Glacial Tarn
B.
Subterranean glacial lake
C.
Cirque basin
D.Fjord
22. Which of the statements below is the BEST description of how glacial erosion is illustrated by the drawing used in the previous question?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Snow and ice are accumulating in the depression indicated by the red arrow and beginning to flow towards the sea picking up sediment as it moves along
Ice sheets are calving when they reach their terminus
Sea ice is freezing and pushing inward to form a u-shaped valley
Differential rates of erosion caused by the glacier allow water at the neck of the waterway it creates when melted to be shallower than the main body of water
23. The two large boulders shown to the left are examples of :
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Glacial till
B.Kames
C.
Glacial eratics
D.
Outwash plain
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Dynamic Planet Division B
24. This photograph of Precambrian granite in Northern Manitoba is an example of a periglacial land
form. What factors were largely responsible for the creation of this formation?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Sediment transport from the glacier’s zone of accumulation to its terminus
Melting of ice from a terminal moraine with deposition of sediments
Lateral erosion of valleys followed by stream transport of sediments
Fracturing of rock caused by continuous freeze/thaw cycles
25. Often considered the father of modern geology, James Hutton (1726-1797) originally proposed the principle of Uniformitarianism which posits that weathering, erosion and deposition act together in a continuous cycle that wears down and builds up the surface of the Earth. Which of the statements below support Hutton’s Principle of Uniformitarianism?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (3 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E. Sediments eroded away from one geologic feature in a given location will be deposited to form a new geologic feature in another location
Energy is always conserved-it cannot be created or destroyed
An increase in glacial mass will increase the velocity of glacial movement
An increase in glacial mass will increase the rate and volume of glacial erosion
Glaciation is an agent of erosion
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Dynamic Planet Division B
26.
What glacial landform is identified by the red arrow?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.Drumlin
B.Esker
C.
Terminal moraine
D.
Medial moraine
27. Correctly identify the formative sequence of the landform in the previous question. Write the term in its correct sequence from the earliest to the most recent.
SEQUENCE THE ITEMS IN THEIR CORRECT ORDER
A.
As they flow, streams transport and deposit sediment in their ice valleys
B.
Absorption of solar energy causes ice at the top of the glacier to melt
C.
Liquid water pools and begins to flow downstream to form an ice channel on top of the glacier
D.
Glacial deposits are left standing as ridges following glacial retreat
E.
Ice beneath the stream beds melts as the glacier begins to retreat causing the overlying gravel to slump
F.
Absorption of solar energy along the banks of the ice melts. Debris from the melting ice slides into the stream as mudflow and mixes with stream sediment
28. What depositional landform is indicated by the red arrows?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Medial moraine
Lateral moraine
Terminal moraine
Outwash plain
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
29.
What glacial landform is indicated by the red arrows shown in the image to the left?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Lateral moraine
B.
Terminal moraine
C.Esker
D.
Medial moraine
30. Deposition of glacial sediments not only creates unique landforms, but the dating of deep sea sedi
ments can also provide clues as to the frequency of glacial periods when much of the Earth was covered with ice and interglacial periods when the glaciers retreated.
Oxygen has two major isotopes . Isotopes are variations of an element having the same atomic number, but with a different mass and different physical properties.. 18O is a heavy isotope of oxygen and 16O a lighter version. Both isotopes are stable and not produced from radioactivity, so their ratio is constantover time.
Because 16O is lighter, it is evaporated from sea water and becomes concentrated in water that will fall on land as rain or snow. 18O therefore is concentrated in ocean water.
Which of the statements below support the graph shown to the left?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (3 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
During glacial periods, more 16O becomes locked in global Ice and does not return to the oceans
Approximately 1 million years ago, Earth’s climate was relatively stable
During glacial periods, the ratio of 18O/16O decreases
During interglacial periods, more 16O returns to the oceans
Approximately 1,800,000 years ago, there was a very long period of glaciation
The last glaciation was approximately 100,000 years ago
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Dynamic Planet Division B
31. What glacial features are indicated by the red circles on this topographic map?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A. B.
C.
D.
Kames
Kettles
Tarns
Marsh
32.
This region of Michigan’s Southern Thumb is primarily agricultural in its land use patterns. How did glaciation play a role in determining how people continue to use land here today?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The presence of swampland to the left limited construction of villages and towns
Sediments washed down from the moraine on the left to form an outwash plain to the right
The lower slope of the land to the right encouraged the development of agriculture
The area’s proximity to the Detroit-metro area encouraged the development of farms
A terminal moraine is indicated by the less consistent elevation on the left
33.
What glacial landform is shown in the drawing and the image to the left?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Terminal moraine
B.Esker
C.Fjord
D.Drumlin
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Dynamic Planet Division B
34. What glacial landform is shown in the drawing and the image to the left?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A..
Terminal moraine
B.Esker
C.Fjord
D.Drumlin
35. Which of the arrows indicates the direction of glacial movement on the IMAGE- not the drawing? NOTE: The same image is shown above in the previous question.
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Blue arrow
Red arrow
Yellow arrow
Black arrow
36. What glacial landform is indicated by the single red arrow shown on the image to the left?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
Lateral moraine
B.Cirque
C.
Terminal moraine
D.
Outwash plain
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
37.
What general term is used to describe the various sized rocks and sediment often left by glacial deposition?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Glacial erratics
Glacial Flour
Glacial Till
Glacial firn
38.
For melting to occur, glaciers must change in form from a solid to a liquid. If 333.55 KJ/Kg are required to melt 1 Kg of ice plus an additional 83.6 KJ is needed to increase the resulting water temperature 20K,
What is the total amount of energy in KJ/Kg needed to melt the ice?
WRITE THE CORRECT ANSWER IN THE SPACE PROVIDED
39. What generalizations about Gangohri Glacier can be drawn from the image to the left?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Gangohri is an alpine glacier
The glacier is retreating due to the effects of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases
Medial moraines are present
There have been multiple periods of glacier formation and retreat
The glacier’s zone of accumulation is in the top left center of the image
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Dynamic Planet Division B
40. Changes in the composition of Earth’s atmospheric gases over time can be derived from ice core samples and determining the concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane in the air bubbles locked into them. Which of the statements below supports the data shown in the graph to the left?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
41.
During early glaciations, the amount of dust in the atmosphere was higher than during interglacial
periods
Both methane and carbon dioxide concentrations were higher during interglacial periods
The present interglacial period is relatively recent in terms of geologic time
Concentrations of both carbon dioxide and methane are higher today than at any point in time over the past 140,000 years
Astronomical factors such as changes in Earth’s orbit or declination may have also caused signifi
cant climate changes leading to glaciation. Which of the statements below supports the illustration of astronomical factors shown to the left?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Eccentricity refers to changes in the distance of the Earth from the Sun
Increased sunspot and solar flare activity may change global mean temperatures
Precession refers to changes in the declination of Earth’s axis
The effects of precession over time could affect both the eccentricity and obliquity of Earth’s
orbit.
Tectonic plate movement will cause some areas of Earth to experience glaciation as they drift
towards the poles.
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Dynamic Planet Division B
42.
In which of the paired diagrams shown to the left would there most likely be a period of gla
ciation?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
Diagram Set A
Diagram Set B
43.
Which of the following is NOT one of the possible explanations for previous ice ages?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Changes in daily weather patterns in localized areas
Increases in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Large land masses (continents) positioned at the poles Periodic changes in the Earth’s eccentricity
Increased Carbon Dioxide emissions by human populations 44.
Which statement below best describes the forces acting upon the flow of the glacier depicted in this drawing?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Gravity indicated by the green arrows
Hydrostatic force indicated by the green arrows
Gravity indicated by the large red arrow
Hydrostatic force indicated by the large red arrow
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
45. The crooked blue arrows shown in the red circle indicate that what process is likely occurring dur
ing periods of long ablation?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Water is percolating into the glacier through cracks
Crevasses are forming within the glacier
The glacier is calving
There is less hydrostatic pressure supporting the glacier
The ice shelf is beginning to disintegrate
46.
What is happening to the glacier as indicated by the drawing in this frame?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (3 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E. There is greater hydrostatic pressure forcing the glacier downward
The ice shelf is calving
The ice shelf is retreating away from the grounding line
Glacial firn is accumulating on the new surface during the ablation
The glacier is melting
47. Which of the statements below best explains the process of glacial flow as shown in the previous diagrams?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Homeostasis between gravity and hydrostatic force allows an ice shelf to remain floating in the sea
Glaciers form when the rate of accumulation exceeds the rate of ablation
Transitions from one physical state to another cause stress in the ice and threaten its integrity
Calving of the ice occurs during periods of homeostasis
Glacial retreat occurs when atmospheric CO2 levels increase
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2014 National Science Olympiad Tournament
Dynamic Planet Division B
48. Which of the following statements BEST explains the process of glacial flow into the sea?
CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER
A.
B.
C.
D.
Glacial flow results there is sufficient mass to cause the ice to move
Glacial flow results when rates of accumulation are greater than that of ablation allowing the force of gravity to predominate over the force of hydrostatic pressure
Glacial flow results when calving of ice at the end of the ice shelf allows newly packed snow to begin to flow
Glacial flow results when the force of hydrostatic pressure exceeds that of gravity.
49. The image to the left shows an Antarctic ice core sample. Which of the following statements is likely supported by the image?
CHOOSE ALL THAT APPLY (2 ANSWERS)
A.
B.
C.
D.
The lines/arrows at the top delinate layers of soil beneath the ice
Each vertical layer represents precipitation that initially fell as snow over many hundreds of years
Darker bands may indicate a higher particulate content in the atmosphere at that time
The third band from the left has a higher carbon dioxide content than that of the other bands.
50. Ice sheets are associated with what type of glaciation?
CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
A.Alpine
B.Continental
C.Periglacial
D.Permafrost
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