- 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) Snowfall accumulation
C) Sea ice formation
D) Glaciers and ice shelves
- 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) 1:1
B) 9:1
C) 3:1
D) 1:3
- 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) Nutrient distribution
B) Creating ice dams
C) Reducing salinity
D) Increasing ocean temperature
- 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) Absence of air bubbles
B) Presence of algae
C) Surface sediment
D) High salt content
- 5. Icebergs calve from larger ice masses. What is the term for the process by which icebergs break off from glaciers?
A) Melting
B) Sublimation
C) Calving
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) Pinnacle iceberg
B) Dome 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) Increasing ocean density
B) Reducing sea level rise
C) Altering ocean currents
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) Size and temperature of surrounding waters
B) Ocean depth
C) Wind speed
D) Atmospheric pressure
- 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) International Ice Patrol
B) Arctic Council
C) United Nations Environment Programme
D) World Meteorological Organization
- 10. The movement of icebergs is influenced by several forces. Which is the most significant force determining an iceberg's drift direction?
A) Atmospheric pressure gradients
B) Tidal forces
C) Ocean currents
D) Earth's rotation
- 11. Different types of icebergs are classified based on their shape. What is a characteristic of a 'dome' iceberg?
A) Rounded top
B) Flat top
C) Sharp peaks
D) Elongated ridge
- 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) Fluctuate rapidly
B) Significant increase
C) Slight decrease
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) Sedimentary drift
B) Ice-rafted debris
C) Marine erosion
D) Glacial scouring
- 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) Formation of smaller, stable icebergs
C) No significant change
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) Glacial lakes
B) Sea ice
C) Ice shelves
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) The buoyancy of the water
C) Ice is less dense than saltwater
D) The shape of the iceberg
- 18. The journey of an iceberg can be long and arduous. What often marks the end of an iceberg's existence?
A) Complete melting
B) Being grounded
C) Being refrozen
D) Collision with land
- 19. What is the specific term for a small iceberg that has broken off from a larger iceberg?
A) Pancake ice
B) Bergy bit
C) Growler
D) Floe
- 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) Prevent sea ice formation
C) Increase the salinity of the water
D) Act as nucleation sites
- 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) Inhibit growth
B) Cause them to die
C) Change their color
D) Stimulate growth
- 22. What is the primary process responsible for the erosion and shaping of icebergs below the waterline?
A) Freezing and thawing cycles
B) Abrasion by water currents
C) Wind erosion
D) Sunlight exposure
- 23. When an iceberg becomes lodged on the seafloor, it can damage the seabed. What is this phenomenon called?
A) Glacial grounding
B) Iceberg furrowing
C) Marine scouring
D) Sediment erosion
- 24. The migration of icebergs is a dynamic process. Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing iceberg migration?
A) Wind
B) Ocean currents
C) Density differences
D) Bird migration patterns
- 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) Atmospheric oxygen levels
B) Greenhouse gas concentrations
C) Ocean salinity levels
D) Seafloor topography
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