Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Which type of glacier is primarily responsible for creating sharp-peaked mountain ranges?

1. Continental glacier.

2. Valley glacier.

3. Piedmont glacier.

4. Ice cap.

The correct answer is: Valley glacier.

Valley glaciers are primarily responsible for creating sharp-peaked mountain ranges due to their specific movement and erosion patterns. These glaciers form in mountainous regions and flow down through valleys carved by their relentless advance. As a valley glacier moves, it erodes the surrounding landscape by grinding against the rock walls of the valley, which leads to the formation of U-shaped valleys and features such as sharp ridges and peaks known as horns. The significant erosion occurs not just at the glacier's base but also through the plucking of rock material from the valley walls, which contributes to the jagged and pointed features we often see in mountain ranges like the Alps and the Rockies. Continental glaciers, on the other hand, cover vast areas and tend to produce a more subdued landscape because their massive weight tends to smooth out the terrain rather than carve it into sharp peaks. Piedmont glaciers occur when valley glaciers spread out as they exit a valley onto a broader lowland, which can create some features but do not typically result in the steep, sharp peaks associated with valley glaciers. Ice caps, similar to continental glaciers, also create more gradual landscapes as they blanket large areas with ice and can lead to the formation of rounded hills rather than steeply pointed mountains. Thus, the