Question

During glacier retreat following the last Ice Age, Scandinavia experienced isostatic rebound. Which of the following resulted due to this rebound?

• A. Fall in water level in glacial lakes
• B. Rise in water level in glacial lakes
• C. Raised beaches
• D. Deep earthquakes

Hint:

Isostatic rebound leads to raised beaches as the Earth's crust rises after the weight of glaciers is removed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding isostatic rebound.
Isostatic rebound occurs when the Earth's crust, which was compressed under the weight of glaciers during the Ice Age, begins to rise or "rebound" after the glaciers melt.
This process causes a vertical movement of the land and can result in various geomorphological features.

Step 2: Effects of isostatic rebound.
As the glaciers melt, the land beneath them rises, and this process can cause the formation of raised beaches, which are terraces left by former shorelines at higher elevations than the current sea level. These raised beaches are clear indicators of isostatic rebound.
- Option (A): Fall in water level in glacial lakes: As the land rises, some glacial lakes might experience a drop in water level, but this is not the primary outcome of isostatic rebound.
- Option (B): Rise in water level in glacial lakes: This could occur locally as the land rises and restricts outflow, but it is not the main feature associated with isostatic rebound.
- Option (C): Raised beaches: This is the correct answer. Raised beaches are the direct result of isostatic rebound as the land rises after the glaciers melt.
- Option (D): Deep earthquakes: While tectonic activity can cause earthquakes, isostatic rebound typically does not cause deep earthquakes; it mainly causes shallow seismic activity associated with the land's adjustment.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) Raised beaches, which are a direct result of isostatic rebound following the retreat of glaciers.
\[ \boxed{\text{Raised beaches}} \]