Ch. 14 Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

In reality, a landscape behaves as a(an) ______ system.

open

List 2 forms of landslides

translational rotational

List 3 forms of physical weathering.

frost action salt-crystal growth pressure-release jointing

_______ threshold is the point at which there is enough energy to overcome resistance against movement.

Geomorphic

T/F: A slope is stable if its strength exceeds the weathering and erosion process.

True

T/F: The angle of response depends on the size and texture of the grains.

True

T/F: The pressure-release jointing is a physical weathering process that does not involve water.

True

T/F: The salt crystal growth is primarily found in arid environments

True

The dynamic equilibrium model refers to A) a balancing act between tectonic uplift and rates of denudation by weathering and erosion in a given landscape B) a theory involving the cyclic or evolutionary development of a landscape C) a sequential development of landforms D) an important concept first stated by Alfred Wegener

A) a balancing act between tectonic uplift and rates of denudation by weathering and erosion in a given landscape

Movement at the geomorphic threshold signals A) a conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy B) a conversion of kinetic energy to chemical energy C) a frictional resistance overcoming the degree of cohesion D) a lack of change

A) a conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy

Chemical weathering is greatest under conditions of A) higher mean annual rainfall and temp. B) low mean annual rainfall and temp. C) temperatures below freezing D) rainfall of less than 25cm per year

A) higher mean annual rainfall and temp.

When rock is broken and distinguished without dissolving, the process in operation is A) physical weathering B) chemical weathering C) hydrolysis D) carbonation

A) physical weathering

After a threshold is crossed, the landscape A) remains unstable thereafter B) adjust to a new equilibrium condition C) looks identical to the landscape that existed prior to the crossing of the treshold D) any of the above are equally likely to occur

B) adjust to a new equilibrium condition

The steepness of a slope made of loose material is called the A) height of slope B) angle of repose C) mass movement gradient D) the speed of the particles

B) angle of response

Uplift of the landscape creates ____ energy which is converted to _____ energy when materials begin to move downslope. A) kinetic; potential B) potential; kinetic C) potential; chemical D) kinetic; chemical

B) potential; kinetic

A slow persistent mass movement of surface soil is called A) a debris avalanche B) soil creep C) a soil slide D) a rock fall

B) soil creep

A landslide differs from a debris avalanche in that A) the materials in a landslide are not saturated w water B) the materials in debris avalanche are not saturated w water C) a landslide moves more slowly than a debris avalanche D) a landslide moves much more quickly than a debris avalanche

C) a landslide moves more slowly than a debris avalanche

The science that specifically studies the origin, evolution, form, and spatial distribution of landforms is A) geology B) geography C) geomorphology D) environmental chemistry

C) geomorphology

In which climates would rocks be weathered to the greatest depth A) cold and wet B) cold and dry C) hot and wet D) hot and dry

C) hot and wet

Which of the following is true of spheroidal weathering? A) it is physical weathering process B) it is a type of exfoliation associated w pressure release C) it attacks the corners and edges of rocks D) all of the above are true

C) it attacks the corners and edges of rocks

Exfoliation occurs because A) water combines w minerals and increases their size, thereby causing surrounding minerals to pop out of the rock matrix B) water freezes in joints and expands C) overlaying rock is removed, thereby allowing the underlying rock mass to expand and fracture D) all of the above are possible causes of exfoliation

C) overlaying rock is removed, thereby allowing the underlying rock mass to expand and fracture

human-indicated mass movements produce a category of processes known as A) debris flows B) denudation C) scarification D) translational slides

C) scarifcation

Other than rock itself, the most important chemical substance needed for the majority of weathering processes is A) oxygen B) nitrogen C) water D) carbon dioxide

C) water

Landslides occur when A) a threshold is reached B) the internal friction is overcome by the force of gravity C) driving forces exceed resisting forced D) all of the above

D) all of the above

The form that a landscape exhibits results from a balance between A) forces acting on the landscape B) endogenic and exogenic processes C) input & outputs of matter and energy D) all of the above

D) all of the above

The rate at which rocks weathering depends on A) the climate of an area B) the type of rock C) the amount of vegetation in an area D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Which of the following can lead to hillslope failure? A) making a road cut in the side of a hill B) increasing the slope angle C) excessively watering a slope D) all of the above

D) all of the above

All processes that cause reduction and rearrangement of landforms are included in the term of A) mass movement B) erosion C) weathering D) denudation

D) denudation

On which part of a slope would rocks tend to fall at the highest speed? A) concave slope B) convex slope C) debris slope D) free face

D) free face

An example of chemical weathering is A) exfoliation B) the breakdown of rocks by freezing and thawing C) the wearing away of a stream bank by a river D) karst topography

D) karst topography

Which of the following is true of joints A) joints are small, localized fault planes along which movement occurs B) joints enable more water to move through the ground C) joints enhance the rate of weathering D) only B and C are true

D) only B and C are true

In most areas, the upper surface of bedrock is partially weathered to broken-up rock called A) parent rock B) bedrock C) sediment D) regolith

D) regolith

The disintegration and dissolving of surface and subsurface rock is called A) erosion B) mass movement C) landmass denudation D) weathering

D) weathering

T/F: Physical weathering dominates in warm and wet climates.

False