Ice Ages and Glacial Periods

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What is the main difference between a glacial period and an interglacial period?

During glacial periods, ice spreads further south and north, while during interglacial periods, ice is limited to the poles. (correct)

Glacial periods are shorter than interglacial periods.

Glacial periods have permanent ice at the poles, while interglacial periods have no ice at the poles.

Glaciers are formed during glacial periods and melt during interglacial periods.

What is the primary composition of glaciers?

Rock fragments

Melted ice

Liquid water

Compressed snow (correct)

What is the result of the melting of ice sheets and glaciers during an interglacial period?

Sea levels drop

The Earth's temperature decreases

Sea levels rise (correct)

Glaciers move faster

What is the current geological period that we are in?

Interglacial period Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which glaciers move?

275m per year Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence of the Earth's climate cycles?

Multiple shorter-term periods of warmer temperature and colder temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the current period of the Earth's climate?

Interglacial period Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the cycle of the Earth's climate changing from warm period to ice age and back again?

Ice age cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Earth's climate during ice ages?

Whole Earth covered with ice and snow Signup and view all the answers

What is the pattern of temperature observed in the Earth's climate over the last 450,000 years?

Cycling between colder and warmer periods Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of natural cycles in the Earth's climate?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between glacial and interglacial periods?

Glacial periods are colder, and interglacial periods are warmer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that glaciers move rocks?

By carrying the rocks with them as they move Signup and view all the answers

What type of valley is formed by a glacier?

U-shaped valley Signup and view all the answers

What can be found in peat bogs that provide evidence of climate cycles?

Pollen from different types of plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which peat bogs form?

Slow build-up of partially decayed vegetation over thousands of years Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the depth of peat in a bog?

The age of the bog Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of collecting pollens from different parts of a peat core?

To identify the plants that lived in the past and infer the climate Signup and view all the answers