GLG 150 Week 2 Soil and Glaciers Worksheet

Soil and Glaciers Worksheet

Soil and Glaciers Worksheet

From Visualizing Earth Science, by Merali, Z., and Skinner, B. J, 2009, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Copyright 2009 by Wiley. Adapted with permission.

Part 1

Size grades of soil are named sand, silt, and clay, which includes colloids. Size grades are defined using the metric system. Use Figure 4.8 from the textbook to fill in the following chart.  Specify the type and size and description of the particle. In some cases, particle size will be less than some value or greater than another value. For instance, gravel is greater than 2.0 mm.

Part 2

Soils have been classified according to a system developed by soil scientists and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Using this classification system of soil orders, pick two locations on Earth, one in your current area and another area, and describe the order and the conditions that define it. (See Figure 4.12 in the textbook.)

Part 3

The five important soil-forming factors are indicated in the following table. Describe why these factors are important in the formation of soil.

Part 4

Investigate two ways in which water shortages, erosion, water diversion, floods or contamination of a water resource, or other water processes have affected human history. How did humankind meet the challenges of the impacts?

Part 5

In 150 words, how do glaciers form, grow, and shrink throughout time? Cite any references used and provide a References page.