Which pair of features is likely composed of sediments with different grain size and sorting characteristics?

Prepare for the Fundamentals of Geology Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and detailed explanations. Get ready to ace your geology test!

The outwash plain and end moraine represent distinct depositional environments created by glacial processes. An outwash plain is formed by the sediment deposited by meltwater flowing away from a glacier. This environment typically features various sediment sizes due to the rapid transportation and sorting of materials by flowing water, resulting in a range of grain sizes from fine sands to coarse gravels.

In contrast, an end moraine is formed from debris that has been pushed along by the advancing glacier, accumulating as a ridge at the glacier's terminus. The sediments in an end moraine tend to be less sorted than those in an outwash plain, containing a mixture ranging from clay to boulders, as they are not subject to the same hydrodynamic sorting processes. Therefore, the outwash plain generally has sediments that are better sorted and more uniform in size than the more chaotic mix found in an end moraine.

This difference in sediment characteristics and sorting makes the outwash plain and end moraine a pair that is likely composed of sediments with different grain sizes and sorting, which aligns with the question's criteria.

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