- 1. Icebergs are massive chunks of ice that break off from glaciers or ice shelves. They drift in the ocean and are a significant feature of the High Arctic ecosystem. What is the primary source of most icebergs found in the High Arctic?
A) Frozen lakes
B) Glaciers and ice shelves
C) Snowfall accumulation
D) Sea ice formation
- 2. The vast majority of an iceberg's mass is hidden beneath the water's surface. What is the typical ratio of submerged ice to exposed ice?
A) 1:3
B) 3:1
C) 1:1
D) 9:1
- 3. Icebergs play a crucial role in the Arctic environment. Which of the following is a significant impact of icebergs on the marine ecosystem?
A) Increasing ocean temperature
B) Creating ice dams
C) Reducing salinity
D) Nutrient distribution
- 4. The color of an iceberg can vary, offering clues about its history and composition. What gives a pure, dense iceberg its characteristic blue color?
A) Surface sediment
B) Presence of algae
C) High salt content
D) Absence of air bubbles
- 5. Icebergs calve from larger ice masses. What is the term for the process by which icebergs break off from glaciers?
A) Melting
B) Calving
C) Sublimation
D) Erosion
- 6. The shape of an iceberg is constantly changing due to melting and erosion. Which term describes an iceberg that has a flat, tabular shape, often seen breaking off from ice shelves?
A) Dome iceberg
B) Pinnacle iceberg
C) Block iceberg
D) Tabular iceberg
- 7. When icebergs melt, they release fresh water into the ocean. What is a potential consequence of this freshwater influx on the Arctic Ocean?
A) Altering ocean currents
B) Reducing sea level rise
C) Increasing ocean density
D) Promoting ice shelf stability
- 8. The lifespan of an iceberg can vary significantly. What is the primary factor that determines how long an iceberg will last?
A) Ocean depth
B) Size and temperature of surrounding waters
C) Atmospheric pressure
D) Wind speed
- 9. Icebergs can be hazards to navigation. What is the name of the international organization responsible for the coordination of iceberg warnings in the North Atlantic?
A) Arctic Council
B) World Meteorological Organization
C) International Ice Patrol
D) United Nations Environment Programme
- 10. The movement of icebergs is influenced by several forces. Which is the most significant force determining an iceberg's drift direction?
A) Tidal forces
B) Earth's rotation
C) Ocean currents
D) Atmospheric pressure gradients
- 11. Different types of icebergs are classified based on their shape. What is a characteristic of a 'dome' iceberg?
A) Flat top
B) Elongated ridge
C) Rounded top
D) Sharp peaks
- 12. As icebergs melt, they can affect the local marine environment in several ways. What effect can melting icebergs have on the pH of the surrounding seawater?
A) Significant increase
B) Slight decrease
C) Fluctuate rapidly
D) No significant change
- 13. The ice that forms icebergs often originates from ancient snowfall. What does the trapped air within glacial ice, and subsequently icebergs, tell scientists?
A) Future climate predictions
B) Marine life density
C) Past atmospheric composition
D) Current ocean temperatures
- 14. Icebergs can carry sediment and debris. When these are deposited on the seafloor, they can create unique habitats. What term describes this process?
A) Ice-rafted debris
B) Glacial scouring
C) Sedimentary drift
D) Marine erosion
- 15. The Arctic is warming at an accelerated rate. How is climate change likely affecting iceberg formation and behavior in the High Arctic?
A) Increased calving and faster melting
B) No significant change
C) Formation of smaller, stable icebergs
D) Decreased calving and slower melting
- 16. What is the term for the large, floating platforms of ice from which tabular icebergs often break off?
A) Ice shelves
B) Sea ice
C) Glacial lakes
D) Fjords
- 17. Icebergs are made of freshwater ice. What is the primary reason that icebergs float?
A) Ice is more dense than saltwater
B) Ice is less dense than saltwater
C) The shape of the iceberg
D) The buoyancy of the water
- 18. The journey of an iceberg can be long and arduous. What often marks the end of an iceberg's existence?
A) Being refrozen
B) Complete melting
C) Being grounded
D) Collision with land
- 19. What is the specific term for a small iceberg that has broken off from a larger iceberg?
A) Floe
B) Pancake ice
C) Growler
D) Bergy bit
- 20. Icebergs can be important for sea ice formation. How might large icebergs influence the formation of sea ice in their vicinity?
A) Melt surrounding sea ice
B) Act as nucleation sites
C) Prevent sea ice formation
D) Increase the salinity of the water
- 21. The meltwater from icebergs is a source of minerals and nutrients. What impact can this have on phytoplankton, the base of the Arctic food web?
A) Cause them to die
B) Stimulate growth
C) Change their color
D) Inhibit growth
- 22. What is the primary process responsible for the erosion and shaping of icebergs below the waterline?
A) Wind erosion
B) Abrasion by water currents
C) Freezing and thawing cycles
D) Sunlight exposure
- 23. When an iceberg becomes lodged on the seafloor, it can damage the seabed. What is this phenomenon called?
A) Iceberg furrowing
B) Glacial grounding
C) Sediment erosion
D) Marine scouring
- 24. The migration of icebergs is a dynamic process. Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing iceberg migration?
A) Ocean currents
B) Density differences
C) Bird migration patterns
D) Wind
- 25. Studying icebergs provides valuable insights into Earth's climate history. What aspect of past climate can be reconstructed by analyzing the trapped air bubbles within ice cores from icebergs?
A) Greenhouse gas concentrations
B) Seafloor topography
C) Atmospheric oxygen levels
D) Ocean salinity levels
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