ESS Quiz 2/6 - Craters, Glaciers, Dunes

Doesn't include Geothermal Pools/Geyser terminology

Barchan Dunes

These dunes feature moderate sand with a constant wind direction, forming crescent shapes.

Transverse Dunes

Abundant sand and constant wind direction create these large fields of dunes resembling sand ripples.

Barchan Dune Merge

Barchan dunes merge into transverse dunes with increased sand supply.

Longitudinal Dunes

These dunes have iron deposited just above the largest clasts on the edge, with limited sand and converging wind directions.

Linear Dunes

Long and straight dunes formed in areas with limited sand and conversing wind directions.

Parabolic Dunes

Abundant sand and constant wind direction form "U" shaped dunes stabilized by vegetation, common in coastal areas.

Star Dunes

Abundant sand and variable wind direction create dunes with several arms and variable slope directions.

Windward Side

Material blown up on the side of the dune where the wind flows toward.

Leeward Side

Deposition occurs on this side where the wind flows down in eddy currents or vortices, usually at the base of the dune.

Stoss Face

Windward side of the dune.

Slip Face

Leeward side of the dune.

Placer Deposits

Mineral deposits where grains of minerals are mixed with sand deposited by rivers or glaciers.

Cross-Bedding

Layering of dunes indicated by lines.

Variables

Sediment size, shape, density, wind direction, vegetation, availability of sediments affecting dune migration.

Rounding

Scale from angular to rounded, indicating the degree of wind transport.

Desert Pavement

Sediment deposits containing larger clasts due to the removal of smaller ones.

Glaciation

Formation of rivers of ice dynamic in movement toward the ocean, forming various glacial features.

Glacier Formation

Polar latitudes or high elevations above the snowline with abundant snowfall and absence of physical removal factors.

Past Atmosphere

Atmospheric gases trapped in ice cores revealing past variations including CO2, methane, N2O, and oxygen isotopes.

Glacial Movement

Internal flow, basal sliding aided by meltwater, leading to entire glacier movement.

Cirques

Bowl-shaped depressions carved into mountainsides by glaciers.

Nunataks, Arêtes, and Horns

Rocky outcrops formed by glacial erosion in multiple direction flow areas.

Moraines

Lateral and medial moraines formed by glacially transported rock and debris.

Terminal and Recessional Moraines

Mark farthest glacier reaches at given time points.

Glacial Till and Glacial Flour

Jumbled sediment sizes in till, fine sediment responsible for milky water in flour.

Glacial Striations

Scratches on rock surfaces revealing glacier flow direction.

Plate Movement Theory

O^18 and O^16 isotopes in precipitation indicating past temperature variations.

Sea Level Rising

Impacted by glacial melting contributing to rising sea levels.

Impact Craters

Symmetrical with evenly distributed ejecta, distinct from volcanic craters.

Volcanic Craters

Asymmetrical with regular distribution of features and steeper walls.

Vertical Impact

Creates inverted ejecta cone with equal distribution.

Morphology

Determined by number of rings, central peak presence, and ejecta pattern.

Reverse Stratigraphy

Layers flipped after impact, older material on top.

Shock Metamorphism

Distinct thin sections in rocks.

Tektites

Small marbles formed from liquified regolith cooling.