Glaciers of North America Trivia Quiz

Answer: It is extinct

By most accounts, the Glaciar Norte of the Popocatépetl volcanic peak was essentially declared extinct. Studies on the region beginning in 1964 had estimated the glacier to be roughly 600 meters in length. Due to volcanic activity over the course of over forty years, a new study was conducted in 2006 and scientists had declared that the glacier had disappeared.

While ice remained on the volcano, the characteristics of a true "glacier" were no longer present.

Answer: Canada's highest mountain

Mount Logan, located in the Yukon Territory, is just over 55 kilometers from the Logan Glacier. It is the source of both the Hubbard and Logan Glaciers. Mount Logan itself was first ascended by climbers in 1922. After many failed attempts mainly due to financial issues, another attempt was made in 1925.

After 65 days, climbers reached the peak of Mount Logan. To do so, the climbers established a base camp near the Logan Glacier following a 200 kilometer trek after arriving by train from the Pacific coast.

Answer: Columbia Ice Field

The Columbia Icefield is the largest to be found within the Rocky Mountains. The icefield has six glaciers or "toes". These glaciers are the Athabasca, Castleguard, Columbia, Dome, Stutfield, and Saskatchewan. The Athabasca Glacier itself is considered quite dangerous and is not recommended to travel on unless properly equipped or accompanied by guides. Ironically enough, due to its easy access, it is the most visited glacier in all of North America.

Answer: Harrison Glacier

In 2005, the Harrison Glacier was estimated to have covered over 460 acres. It is believed that at one time over 150 glaciers existed within the park, but that number has significantly been reduced to 25 glaciers in 2018. It has been predicted by scientists that by 2030, most (if not all) glaciers within the park will be extinct. Between 1966 and 2005, the Harrison Glacier had only lost 9% of its surface area giving scientists hope that some glaciers may exist past the expected timeline.

Answer: Ilulissat

It is estimated that there are over 80 glaciers covering Greenland, the second largest ice body in the world. The Jakobshavn Glacier is one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world flowing at roughly 45 meters per day. "Calving" or the "breaking of ice chunks" is common in this region and has been known to cause glacial earthquakes.

The near community of Ilulissat is located roughly 45 kilometers from the glacier It is unique as it has been recorded that there is a population of "sled dogs" that is nearly equivalent to the human population of the community (over 4500 residents).

Answer: True

While there are no current glaciers in Hawaii, it has been recorded that Mauna Kea is the only volcano in the region to have evidence of glaciation. It is believed that during previous ice ages, there was enough of a temperature drop to have allowed ice and snow to form on the volcano.

It is thought that three periods of glaciation (Pōhakuloa, Wāihu, Mākanaka) had the greatest effects of forming the summit as verified by evidence of moraines, till and cinder cones.

Answer: Barnes Ice Cap

The Barnes Ice Cap in the Baffin Island region of Nunavut, Canada, is believed to have ice that is over 20 000 years old. The ice cap itself can be found in the Baffin Mountains and is roughly 6000 square kilometers in size.

Answer: Nevada

A rock glacier is a land form rock debris that is frozen in ice. Wheeler Peak Glacier is an example of a both a rock glacier and an alpine glacier. It is believed to be the southernmost glacier in the Northwestern Hemisphere. It is currently the only glacier located in the state of Nevada. Due to trends in rising temperatures regionally, it is believed that by 2040, the Wheeler Peak Glacier will be extinct.

Answer: Agassiz

The Agassiz ice cap can be found on the eastern side of Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada. It is one of the largest ice caps in Canada with an overall size of roughly 21 000 square kilometers. Core samples that were taken from the region in the 1980s were studied at the University of Alberta and showed that temperatures during the Holocene were higher than they are today. Scientists have used these core samples to prove the existence of global warming on the planet and that human factors are the cause of temperature issues around the globe. Found in Glacier National Park, the Agassiz Glacier was named after the Swiss-American geologist Louis Agassiz.

This particular glacier was one of many to be selected for monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey's Glacier Monitoring Research program to study mass balance issue which are crucial to determining the survival of glaciers in North America. Through remote sensing and tree ring samples, it was determined that over 30% of the surface area of the Agassiz Glacier was lost. Due to climate change and forest fires in the region, it is determined that along with other glaciers in the park, the Agassiz Glacier will cease to exist by 2030.

Answer: Crater Glacier

The Crater Glacier formed slowly after the eruption of Mount St. Helens and was unknown to scientists for over twenty years. It was formed in a crater left by the eruption. It is one of the youngest and fastest forming glaciers on the North American continent. Unlike many glaciers that are made up of clear, bright ice, the Crater Glacier is dark and dirty due to numerous rockfalls over its short history.