Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology 4e

EXERCISE 15.2
Name:
Course:
Comparison of Landscapes Formed by Glaciers and by Streams
Section:
Date:
(a) What difference do you notice in the shapes of the valleys pictured in Figure 15.4? In particular, compare the overall
shapes of the valleys pictured and the characteristics of each valley’s base.
(b) Now compare the aerial photograph of an extensively glaciated area (top photo) with the two photographs of
fluvial landscapes that follow (bottom photos). Describe the differences among the photos without worrying about
technical terms for the glacial features. Consider: Is there a well-developed stream network?
Glaciated landscape, Northwest Territories, Canada.
N
0
miles
50
Fluvial landscape, West Virginia.
Fluvial landscape, Colorado Plateau, Utah–Arizona.
N
0
15
N
0
50
miles
miles
388 CHAPTER 15 GLACIAL LANDSCAPES
15.3.1 Erosional Landscapes
When a continental glacier passes through an area, it carves the bedrock into characteristic
shapes, collectively referred to as sculptured bedrock. FIGURE 15.5 and the
DEM in Exercise 15.3 show the topography of an area of sculptured bedrock eroded
by continental glaciers in southern New York State. The hills are underlain by
gneisses that were resistant to glacial erosion and the valleys by marbles and schists
that were more susceptible to it.