Geography 360

GEOMORPHOLOGY

FALL 2006

EXERCISE 6

MAP INTERPRETATION: GLACIAL LANDFORMS

(Due Monday, Dec. 4)

Answer the following map interpretation questions using as many different lines of evidence as you can gather from the map and from your text and lecture notes. Keep in mind that you are making educated guesses with some of these questions, so a good answer is one that is backed up with as much evidence as possible. If your answer is different from mine, I will accept it if it is well argued. Start by looking at the whole map, and use the information in the map margins. Use the USGS map symbols to help you interpret features.

Alpine Glaciation.

Holy Cross, Colorado 15' Quad 1:62,500. This landscape has been extensively carved by alpine glaciers. The headwaters of the Colorado River are located here, on the western side of the Continental Divide. Since only half of the map has been surveyed in terms of Township and Range coordinates, where these are unavailable you will need to give me coordinates in longitude and latitude, estimated to within the nearest minute or so. This does not need to be precise -- just enough to help me locate the feature you're talking about.

1. Do you see any favored orientation or slope aspect for the cirques and cirque lakes on this map? What is the orientation (or range of orientations)? Why do the cirques tend to have this orientation?

 

 

 

2. What is the predominant range in elevation for all of the glacial features on this map?

 

 

3. What feature has created Turquoise Lake (Sec. 17, 18, T9S, R80W)?

 

 

4. What other glacial features are associated with Turquoise Lake?

 

 

5. How does the land surface look on the map where there has been no glaciation, compared with the surfaces that have been glaciated?

 

 

1. Locate the following and give rough T&R or Lat & Long coordinates and names (be sure to check your definitions):

a. an example of a cirque

 

 

b. an example of a tarn

 

 

c. paternoster lakes

 

 

d. the highest peak, with elevation

 

 

e. a glacial trough

 

 

f. a horn

 

 

g. an arête

 

 

h. a col

 

 

i. a moraine (what type?)

 

 

j. Any other interesting glacial features you'd like to point out?

 

 

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All lab materials for this course are intellectual property of Dorothy E. Freidel, unless otherwise credited. Copyright D.E. Freidel, 2003. No portion of this material may be copied without written permission of the author.

Page last updated 11/27/06