Impact of glaciation on Canada

How did glaciation affect the fertility of soil in the Canadian Shield?

Glaciers scraped away the fertile soil, exposing bare bedrock that contains valuable minerals but is poor for agriculture.

What valuable result came from glaciers removing fertile soil in the Canadian Shield?

The exposed bedrock revealed valuable mineral resources that could be mined.

How did glaciation influence rivers and lakes in Canada?

Glaciation carved out depressions that filled with meltwater, forming rivers and lakes that now serve as major sources of hydroelectric power.

Why is the Canadian Shield an important tourist region today?

Its many glacially carved lakes and rugged landscape make it a scenic and popular destination for tourism and recreation.

How did glaciation shape the landscape and soil in southern Ontario?

Glacial till in southern Ontario created gently rolling hills with good drainage and easily cultivated soil—ideal for farming.

Why is till derived from limestone bedrock significant for agriculture?

Limestone-derived till is rich in minerals that act as natural fertilizer, enhancing soil fertility.

How did glaciation contribute to the formation of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway?

Glaciers deepened river valleys, creating basins that became the Great Lakes, and formed pathways like the St. Lawrence Seaway, now the world’s most important inland waterways.

How did glaciation benefit the surrounding areas of the Great Lakes?

It left behind fertile plains of clay and sandy loam soils, supporting productive agriculture.

What impact did glaciers have on the Prairies?

The Prairies received valuable soil deposits carried and deposited by glaciers, enriching the region’s farmland.

What are three ways alpine glaciation shaped the Rocky Mountains?

it gave it dramatic landscapes which are a tourist attraction, troughs which are used for transport and fjords which serve as sheltered harbours.

How did isostatic rebound affect Canada after the glaciers melted?

The land, once compressed by ice, continues to slowly rise (isostatic rebound), especially around Hudson Bay.

What possible future geographic change could occur due to isostatic rebound in Canada?

Continued land uplift could eventually reverse the flow of some rivers, changing their direction from northward to southward.

What overall economic impacts has glaciation had on Canada?

It shaped mineral-rich regions, created fertile farmlands, established hydroelectric resources, and boosted tourism through glacial landscapes.

How did glaciation influence human settlement and activity in Canada?

It determined where fertile land, mineral resources, and waterways were located—factors that shaped settlement patterns, agriculture, and industry.

In what ways does the legacy of glaciation continue to affect Canada today?

Through ongoing geological uplift, fertile soils for farming, hydroelectric power, tourism in glacial landscapes, and access to key waterways.