Coast Guard Exams
Question 780Navigation General70% to pass

Which type of cloud is composed entirely of ice crystals and is found at very high altitudes?

AI Explanation
The correct answer is D) Cirrus. Cirrus clouds are composed entirely of ice crystals and are found at very high altitudes, typically above 20,000 feet. This is because the temperature at these high altitudes is cold enough for water vapor to freeze directly into ice crystals, forming the wispy, feather-like appearance of cirrus clouds. The other answer choices are incorrect because stratus clouds are low-lying layered clouds, nimbostratus clouds are dark, low-hanging rain clouds, and cumulus clouds are puffy, towering clouds typically found at lower altitudes.

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