Reading Assessment: Chapter 8

The water content of a soil can be important in determining engineering properties such as the strength of a soil and its potential to shrink and swell. A. True B. False

A. True

What causes volume change in expansive soil? A.Changes in the water content B.Changes in atmospheric pressure C.Changes in temperature of the soil D.Adding weight, such as a new building, on top of the soil E.Changes in elevation of the soil

A.Changes in the water content

Karst landscapes are very dangerous to humans and all measures should be taken to prevent them. A. True B. False

B. False

What is subsidence? A.A drop in groundwater level prior to an earthquake B.An increase air pressure at high elevations C.A sinking of the ground surface D.A swelling of the ground surface E.The rapid turbulent movement of soil and rock down a steep slope

C.A sinking of the ground surface

Which of the following is NOT a way that climate change can contribute to the subsidence problem? A.Permafrost will melt causing subsidence. B.Some soils will dry out causing them to settle. C.Sea levels will rise sinking coastal cities that are already sinking. D.Groundwater levels may rise or fall increasing sinkhole incidence. E.Groundwater will warm, causing a large increase in dissolved limestone and sinkhole formation.

E.Groundwater will warm, causing a large increase in dissolved limestone and sinkhole formation.

Caves form in places where giant bubbles were present in the lava that formed the Earth's crust.

False

Organic soils cause large amounts of damage in the U.S. because they swell when wet and shrink when dry.

False

There have not been too many problems due to land subsidence in the United States.

False

Areas with extensive Limestone formations near the surface are particularly vulnerable to sinkholes and caves.

True

The distinct layers of a soil are called soil horizons.

True

Before building structures in karst regions, it can be useful to use ground penetrating radar to examine the subsurface geology.

True

What is the definition of soil according to a soil scientist? A.Any solid earth material that has been altered by physical, chemical, and organic processes so that it can support rooted plants B.Any dark material on earth's surface C.Decayed plant material D.Hard clay layer cemented with calcite, iron oxide, or silica E.Any solid earth material that can be removed without blasting

A.Any solid earth material that has been altered by physical, chemical, and organic processes so that it can support rooted plants

What is the most important soil particle that characterizes expansive soils? A.Clay minerals B.Calcite C.Rock salt D.Marble E.Limestone

A.Clay minerals

Which of the following is the correct order of soil grain size from smallest to largest? A.Clay, silt, sand, gravel B.Silt, clay, sand, gravel C.Sand, silt, clay, gravel D.Gravel, sand, silt, clay E.Silt, sand, clay, gravel

A.Clay, silt, sand, gravel

What is groundwater mining? A.Groundwater is pumped from the ground faster than it is replenished. B.Groundwater is used to excavate minerals. C.Groundwater is pumped into mines to clean them. D.Groundwater is put through a sieve to remove minerals. E.Groundwater is used to dissolve minerals and then evaporated.

A.Groundwater is pumped from the ground faster than it is replenished.

Which of the following states has the greatest percentage of karst topography? A.Kentucky B.Nevada C.Nebraska D.Louisiana E.Alaska

A.Kentucky

Which of the following is the correct link between the soil and its horizon classification? A.O is organic material. B.C is zone of leaching. C.B is organic and mineral matter. D.K is the zone of accumulation. E.E is the parent material.

A.O is organic material.

How does land subsidence contribute to water pollution? A.Using sinkholes as landfills can cause pollutants to seep into groundwater. B.When rocks are dissolved, dangerous chemicals enter our drinking water. C.When the land sinks, it pulls water deep into the soil where there are pollutants. D.Tourists who visit caves add a dangerous amount of pollutants to the water. E.Caves host diverse species that can be a danger to groundwater.

A.Using sinkholes as landfills can cause pollutants to seep into groundwater.

In a region susceptible to sinkhole formation, the most likely times for collapse will be A.When groundwater levels are low. B.When groundwater levels are high. C.During periods of heavy rain. D.Just before full moons. E.During late afternoon when air temperatures are highest.

A.When groundwater levels are low.

Sinkholes usually form when the ground becomes wet and things sink into them after a big rainstorm. A. True B. False

B. False

Which of the following is NOT usually caused by land subsidence or soil volume change? A.Water pollution B.Building collapse C.Disease D.Coastal flooding E.Loss of wetlands

B.Building collapse

What are two causes of the subsidence of New Orleans? A.Draining of organic-rich soil and earthquakes B.Draining of organic-rich soil and loss of supply of fine sediments by rivers C.Draining of organic-rich soil and the dissolution of clays by flowing acidic groundwater D.Dissolution of clays by flowing acidic groundwater and earthquakes

B.Draining of organic-rich soil and loss of supply of fine sediments by rivers

Which of the following statements describes subsidence at the central (San Joaquin) valley of California? A.Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the deep subsurface withdrawal of oil and gas. B.Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the withdrawal of groundwater mainly for irrigation purposes. C.Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapsible soil. D.Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapse sinkhole.

B.Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the withdrawal of groundwater mainly for irrigation purposes.

Which of the following is NOT a readily dissolvable rock? A.Limestone B.Granite C.Gypsum D.Marble E.Dolostone

B.Granite

If you were digging down into a soil, which horizon would you hit last? A.C B.R C.O D.B E.E

B.R

Which of the following statements about sinkholes is FALSE? A.Sinkholes can occur where there is soluble rock near the surface. B.Sinkholes are usually found in remote and swampy areas. C.Sinkholes are a widespread and costly hazard in the U.S. D.Sinkholes can cause damage to roads and bridges. E.Sinkholes can reveal themselves during times of drought.

B.Sinkholes are usually found in remote and swampy areas.

Which of the following is NOT a Natural Service Function of subsidence? A.Karst contains the world's most abundant groundwater supply. B.Sinkholes can be used for landfills. C.Karst plains are beautiful landscapes. D.Caves attract tourists. E.Caves provide unique ecosystems.

B.Sinkholes can be used for landfills.

What is the main difference between collapse sinkholes and solutional sinkholes? A.Collapse sinkholes create a subsidence in the ground whereas solutional sinkholes have no effect on the land surface. B.Solutional sinkholes form faster than collapse sinkholes. C.Collapse sinkholes involve the surface rock and soil falling into an underground cave whereas solutional sinkholes form by downward dissolution from the bedrock surface. D.Solutional sinkholes are found more often in arid regions than collapse sinkholes. E.Solutional sinkholes are more beneficial to a location than collapse sinkholes.

C.Collapse sinkholes involve the surface rock and soil falling into an underground cave whereas solutional sinkholes form by downward dissolution from the bedrock surface.

Which of the following is NOT a normal definition of soil erosion? A.Grain-by-grain removal of mineral and organic material in a soil by wind and water B.Removal of soil material at an unacceptable rate C.Dissolution of flowing acidic groundwater to produce a large underground opening D.Removal of soil material at a rate faster than it is being produced

C.Dissolution of flowing acidic groundwater to produce a large underground opening

Where does the majority of soil originate from? A.It comes from magma from the mantle. B.It comes from volcanoes. C.It comes from weathered rock. D.It is brought up from the ocean floor. E.It is produced by humans.

C.It comes from weathered rock.

How does pumping oil contribute to land subsidence? A.Oil reacts with the soil causing it to fuse and take up less space. B.Oil pumps increase the weight on the ground causing the ground to sink. C.Oil is removed, which removes the buoyant support it provided for the earth material, causing it to be more compacted. D.Oil reacts with the soil causing it to swell and take up more space. E.Removing hot oil cools the earth and causes it to contract.

C.Oil is removed, which removes the buoyant support it provided for the earth material, causing it to be more compacted.

Which of the following does NOT usually affect the development of most soil? A.Climate B.Time C.Organic processes D.Landslides E.Topography

D. Landslides

What is karst topography? A.A type of landscape characterized by marshes and wetlands. B.A type of landscape that is mostly frozen and snow covered C.A type of landscape characterized by glacial deposits D.A ragged surface characterized by sinkholes and underground caves E.A flat land surface used mostly for farming

D.A ragged surface characterized by sinkholes and underground caves

Which of the following is the best match between climate and soil hazard? A.Solution sinkholes and arid climates B.Collapsible soils and humid climates C.Solution sinkholes and polar climates D.Expansive soils with distinct wet and dry seasons E.Collapsible soils and polar climates

D.Expansive soils with distinct wet and dry seasons

Which of the following does NOT usually affect the development of most soil? A.Climate B.Time C.Organic processes D.Landslides E.Topography

D.Landslides

How good of an indicator is soil color in categorizing the soil horizon? A.Excellent. Color always indicates an exact soil horizon. B.It is an excellent indicator of soil horizon for well-drained soils but a poor indicator for poorly-drained soils. C.Terrible. Different soil horizons don't have distinct color differences. D.Reasonably good. Sometimes color can be misleading, but usually it can give you a good idea.

D.Reasonably good. Sometimes color can be misleading, but usually it can give you a good idea.

How are sinkholes related to water pollution? A.Sinkholes are usually in swampy areas with polluted water. B.Sinkholes are formed when polluted water reacts with the ground. C.Sinkholes form in landfills because of too much garbage. D.Sinkholes provide a quick route for polluted surface water to contaminate groundwater. E.Sinkholes are filled with decaying rocks that release pollutants into the water.

D.Sinkholes provide a quick route for polluted surface water to contaminate groundwater.

If you were in a very cold climate and looking out at an area with many sinkholes and rough terrain, what would you most likely be looking at? A.Expansive soils B.Soil compaction C.Subsidence due to groundwater pumping D.Thermokarst E.Disappearing springs

D.Thermokarst

In terms of soil development, what factor is most important in determining whether a soil is weakly, moderately, or well-developed? A.Climate B.Parent material C.Mineral type D.Moisture amounts E.Age

E.Age

Which of the following does NOT cause ground subsidence? A.Dissolving of rocks below the Earth's surface B.Earthquakes C.Thawing of permafrost D.Compaction of loose sediment E.Creation of permanently frozen ground where no thawing ever occurs

E.Creation of permanently frozen ground where no thawing ever occurs

Which of the following is NOT an indication that there are expansive soils in an area? A.Wavy bumps on surfaces B.Tilting sidewalks C.Cracks in building foundations D.Popcorn-like weathering texture in the soil E.Large circular holes with broken pieces of rock at the bottom

E.Large circular holes with broken pieces of rock at the bottom

The Mississippi Delta has experienced major subsidence over the past fifty years and that has resulted in a huge increase in the amount of wetlands.

False

Humans have contributed to the thawing of permafrost through poor building practices.

True

Karst topography is a common type of landscape seen in many areas of the United States.

True

Sinkhole formation is influenced by dramatic changes in the water table level that happen during wet and dry seasons.

True

Weathering is the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces and is involved in soil development.

True