GEOG Quizzes

Which of these is not one of the four earth systems that we study in Physical Geography? Lithosphere Hydrosphere Earthosphere Biosphere Atmosphere

Earthosphere

Which of the following is NOT true about the troposphere? Temperatures decrease with increasing altitude. About 80% of the total mass of the atmosphere is within the troposphere. Nearly all water in the atmosphere is found below 16 km altitude. The troposphere is the second highest layer of the atmosphere. The depth of the troposphere varies based on season and latitude

The troposphere is the second highest layer of the atmosphere.

Which of the following is true of objects and wind moving over a distance on Earth's surface? They are always deflected from a straight path to the west in the southern hemisphere They are affected only by the pressure gradient and the friction force They are always deflected clockwise by the friction force They are apparently deflected clockwise from a straight path in the Northern hemisphere.

They are apparently deflected clockwise from a straight path in the Northern hemisphere.

Which of the following statements about shield volcanoes is true? They occur only in shield areas of the earth They are subject to violently explosive eruptions They form from basaltic magma They consist of tremendous quantities of pyroclastics

They form from basaltic magma

Unlike a stream-cut valley that assumes a characteristic ________-shape, a glacially-carved valley evidences a characteristic _________-shape. U; V V; U flat; rounded steep; shallow

V; U

How often would you expect an earthquake of greater than 8.0 on the Richter scale, or XII on the Mercalli scale to occur? 120 times per year 800 times per year once per year once or twice a century

once per year

Land-sea breezes are caused by the fact that water heats and cools faster than land surfaces cooler air flowing offshore (toward the ocean) in the afternoon onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon as the land heats faster than the nearby water surfaces the fact that warmer air is denser and settles to the surface of the land

onshore (toward the land) air flows that develop in the afternoon as the land heats faster than the nearby water surfaces

Seafloor spreading was confirmed through what two main lines of evidence? paleomagnetisism and core sampling analysis of sedimentary rocks mapping and tracking earthquake locatiosn analysis of dinosaur fossils

paleomagnetisism and core sampling

Continental crust is _______, whereas oceanic crust is ________ thin and less dense; thick and dense variable thickness; uniformly thin thick, but less dense; thin and dense lithosphere; athenosphere

thick, but less dense; thin and dense

Which of the following does NOT influence the characteristics of a mass wasting event? water permafrost wind clay

wind

Which of the following is not a correct match? mP = maritime polar airmass Equatorial airmasses = found near the equator mT = mesothermal airmasses mP = cold, moist, unstable air

mT = mesothermal airmasses

Ocean currents are produced by the frictional drag of winds the Coriolis force and water density differences land-sea breezes A & B

A & B

Which of the following is NOT a key consideration when classifying climate? elevation precipitation temperature range location

elevation

On the Earth between 0º and 30º north latitude, winds flow from the _______ as they flow out of the _______ pressure zone toward the ________ zone northeast; subtropical high; ITCZ west-southwest; subtropical high; subpolar low northeast; subpolar low; ITCZ west-southwest; sub polar low; subtropical high

northeast; subtropical high; ITCZ

Air flows ________ high pressure area because the density of the air in the high pressure zone is ___________ than that of the surrounding air into; more dense into; less dense out of; more dense out of ; less dense

out of; more dense

If the earth did not rotate, air would flow perpendicular to the isobars, i.e. at 90 degrees to the isobars to the right of its direction of motion in the Northern hemisphere to the left of its direction in the Northern hemisphere parallel to the isobars, i.e. along isobars.

perpendicular to the isobars, i.e. at 90 degrees to the isobars

Sedimentary rocks are more a product of _________ whereas metamorphic and igneous rocks are more a product of __________ . surface processes; heat from the earth's interrior heat from the earth's interrior; surface processes tectonic; rock intrusive; extrusive

surface processes; heat from the earth's interrior

Frost wedging is greatest under conditions of higher mean annual rainfall and temperatures lower mean annual rainfall and temperatures temperatures that reach below freezing rainfall of less than 25 cm (10 in) per year

temperatures that reach below freezing

GPS are used to do all of the following except: track lost pets in real time to help map the ocean floor track the patterns of taxi cab use in New York following Hurricane Sandy to help plan for future disasters to enable ordinary citizens to collect data for scientists

track lost pets in real time

What portion of the atmosphere does the earth's surface primarily interact with? heterosphere troposphere ozonosphere lithosphere

troposphere

When a cold front approaches, the weather becomes _____. foggy. mild. violent with rain and cumulonimbus clouds. cloudy many hours before the front arrives.

violent with rain and cumulonimbus clouds.

Which of the following are the principal active agents involved in chemical weathering? oxygen, silicon, aluminum magnesium, water, limestone water, oxygen, carbon dioxide nitrogen, oxygen, argon

water, oxygen, carbon dioxide

The lowest ocean salinity is typically found... where rainfall is heavy and near the mouths of rivers. in the earth's highest latitudes. in the Indian ocean. in gulfs and bays.

where rainfall is heavy and near the mouths of rivers.

Which of the following features DO NOT result from glacial processes? cirques till yardangs erratics

yardangs

A primary characteristic of Geography is its: focus on behavioral analysis global perspective and interest in interrelationships emphasis on field work and travel study of historical perspectives compared to modern actions focus on numeric analysis

global perspective and interest in interrelationships

Which of the following is NOT a class of sedimentary rock: detrital (clastic) chemical gniess organic

gniess

A mercator map projection: is known as a conic type of projection. greatly distorts the area of landmasses near the poles. is not good for navigation. results in an oval shaped depiction of the earth.

greatly distorts the area of landmasses near the poles.

Which of the following is not a way in which we define the atmosphere in geography? temperature function height composition

height

The IPCC has stated with ______ confidence that temperature warming in the Arctic is ______ than the global average. low; lower low; higher high; lower high; higher

high; higher

Chemical weathering is greatest under conditions of higher mean annual rainfall and temperatures lower mean annual rainfall and temperatures temperatures that reach below freezing rainfall of less than 25 cm (10 in) per year

higher mean annual rainfall and temperatures

Which of the following would you NOT expect to change when a mid latitude cyclone passes over a region? wind temperature humidity air pressure

humidity

Ozone in the stratosphere forms acid rain is beneficial: it blocks harmful ultra violet radiation causes eye, nose and throat irritation in humans is mostly found in rural, sparsely populated areas of the southern hemisphere

is beneficial: it blocks harmful ultra violet radiation

The theory of plate tectonics.... is relativly new, built from evidence gathered in the mid-20th century has been widely accepted for over 300 years was based off of evidence presented by Sir Walter Scott was in direct competition with the theory of Continental drift.

is relativly new, built from evidence gathered in the mid-20th century

Wind is ______ effective at eroding and transporting materials than other geomorphic agents because its density is ______ that of other geomorphic agents. more; more more; less less; more less; less

less; less

The precambrian eon comprises about ____ percentage of our Earth's history? 26 38 72 88

88

The daily insolation received at 90*N in June is so high because... The sunlight is most concentrated at this latitude The sun rays are most oblique at this latitude There are never clouds at the north pole in June The 24 hour day length allows a very high total insolation, despite a lower instantaneous insolation.

The 24 hour day length allows a very high total insolation, despite a lower instantaneous insolation.

98% of the mass of the atmosphere is found within ____ kilometers of the surface of the earth. 6 km 26 km 300 km 2,000 km 10,000 km

26 km

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased from pre-industrial levels of about _______ to current levels of about ______. 145ppm; 198ppm 280ppm; 401ppm 360ppm; 630ppm 34ppm; 450ppm

280ppm; 401ppm

You are in a ship that is located at 20* west. If you wanted to be in a location that was two hours earlier (sun time) you would need sail ... HINT: Draw a diagram 15 degrees east 30 degrees east 30 degrees west 2 degrees due south

30 degrees west

At the present time (according to your text), the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is: 182 ppm (parts per million) 265 ppm (parts per million) 401 ppm (parts per million) 518 ppm (parts per million)

401 ppm (parts per million)

Ice cores in Antarctica provided climate data going back ______ years. 1,000 13,000 280,000 800,000 1.3 million

800,000

The Coriolis effect causes all of the following EXCEPT: Deflection of the ocean currents to the right in the northern hemisphere, and the left in the southern hemisphere. Clockwise circulation of high pressure systems in the Northern hemisphere. Counter clockwise circulation of water in sink drains in the Northern hemisphere. Counterclockwise circulation of anticyclones in the Southern hemisphere Clockwise circulation of anticyclones in the Northern hemisphere.

Counter clockwise circulation of water in sink drains in the Northern hemisphere.

Which gas is the most abundant in the homosphere? Oxygen Nitrogen Carbon dioxide Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Which of the following is not true? On December 22nd the subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer On the spring equinox everyplace on earth has 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness On June 21st all latitudes above the Arctic circle receive 24 hours of daylight The South Pole on New Year's day receives 24 hours of sunlight On September 22nd the subsolar point is at the equator.

On December 22nd the subsolar point is at the Tropic of Cancer

Approximately ____ percent of the stored energy in each trophic level is passed onto the next tropic level. 5 10 25 60

10

An example of a small scale map would be: 1:50 1:5,000 1:50,000 1:5,000,000

1:5,000,000

Land surfaces heat more rapidly than water for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: Land has a lower specific heat than water, so land heats up much faster when exposed to the same energy as water. The sun's rays penetrate water more deeply than land, so water is better at transmitting radiation. Ocean currents disperse heat energy from the ocean's surface. Human activities that generate heat such as heating houses and manufacturing heat the land. Water cools the surface as it evaporates and there is more water to evaporate off of the ocean than off of land.

Water cools the surface as it evaporates and there is more water to evaporate off of the ocean than off of land.

Which of the following will NOT result in precipitation? When airmasses converge, common in the ITCZ, and often resulting in hurricanes. When unlike airmasses meet but they do not mix. When wind encounters a topograhic barrier such as a mountain. When airmasses move from land to water and gain additional heat from the surface. When a parcel of air close to the ground is warmed by conduction, expands and rises.

When unlike airmasses meet but they do not mix.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that hurricane: frequency and intensity have not increased in the past 30 years. events are more destructive now than they were 100 years ago. activity and instensity has been increasing but there is not currently definitive evidence ties it to anthropogenic climate change. size has increased markedly.

activity and instensity has been increasing but there is not currently definitive evidence ties it to anthropogenic climate change.

The Pacific Northwest region of the US is a moist environment because of the effect of maritime air masses the presence of mountains the predominant direction the winds blow at that latitude (45 to 50 degrees north) all of the above

all of the above

The variety of surface features on the Earth results from tectonic activity gravity weathering and erosion all of the above

all of the above

Which of the following is an example of an open system? a city a river drainage basin a hurricane all of these are examples of open systems none of these are examples of open systems

all of these are examples of open systems

Which of the following matches is incorrect relative to air circulation? anticyclone = high pressure center cyclone = low pressure center anticyclone = clockwise circulation in the Southern hemisphere cyclone = counterclockwise circulation in the Northern hemisphere

anticyclone = clockwise circulation in the Southern hemisphere

Tropical cylones... are considerably smaller than mid latitude cyclones. are most prevelant in the Atlantic ocean. result from strong high pressure systems. develop from 85% of easterly waves of low pressure.

are considerably smaller than mid latitude cyclones.

Raindrops are formed when water reaches its dew point and condenses. are created immediately when clouds form. always reach the ground. are formed through the collision-coalescence process.

are formed through the collision-coalescence process.

Tornadoes are rarely associated with hurricanes are usually associated with cold front activity do not occur anywhere else in the world outside of the United States are called funnel clouds after they come in contact with the ground

are usually associated with cold front activity

Who first proposed the theory of uniformitarianism? Plato James Hutton Charles Darwin Albert Wegner

James Hutton

Which of the following volcanic hazards is not correctly matched? Mont Pelee = pyroclastic flow Nevado del Ruiz = lahar Lake Nyos, Cameroon = toxic gases Kilauea, USA = pyroclastic flow

Kilauea, USA = pyroclastic flow

Which of the following accurately describes Earth's distance from the sun? The earth-sun distance is exactly 93 million miles (150 million km). It takes light an average of 12 minutes to travel from the sun to earth. The earth is 91.5 million miles from the sun in January, and 94.5 million miles from the sun in July. June is known as the perihelion, December is known as the aphelion. All of the above.

The earth is 91.5 million miles from the sun in January, and 94.5 million miles from the sun in July.

How is relative humidity related to atmospheric temperature? They are directly related (eg. high temperatures generate high relative humidity regardless of the amount of water in the air) They are inversely related (eg. as temperatures rise, relative humidity drops assuming no additional water is evaporated) Water vapor capacity is independent of air temperature. When water vapor is removed from the air through condensation, relative humidity will increase.

Water vapor capacity is independent of air temperature.

The most accurate map would be: a Mercator projection a small scale map a planar projection a globe

a globe

Ocean-Continental convergence results in: continental rift valleys a mountain range formed inland along the continent's edge, with a parallel ocean trench. huge mountain ranges such as the Himalayas hot spot volcanoes

a mountain range formed inland along the continent's edge, with a parallel ocean trench.

When water evaporates, it ____ heat energy and ______ the surrounding air. absorbs; cools absorbs; heats releases; cools releases; heats

absorbs; cools

The belief that large disasters and sudden upheavals have produced most of the major features of the earth is called: uniforitarianism isostacy metastable thresholds catastrophism

catastrophism

The visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum: is between 100 and 300 nanometers in length has a shorter wavelength than ultraviolet radiation comprises a very small portion of the overall electromagnetic spectrum is the only electromagnetic energy naturally produced by our sun is a part of the UHF-VHF spectrum

comprises a very small portion of the overall electromagnetic spectrum

Overall, ecosystems can be described as: constantly changing and adapting to modifications in the physical geography. predictable and uniform by climate region. broadly unlimited in their abiotic resources. largely unaffected by human factors.

constantly changing and adapting to modifications in the physical geography.

The lowering of land surface by the lifting and removal of light material, leaving only heavy material is termed ________, whereas the grinding of rock surfaces with a 'sandblasting' action is termed _________. abrasion; deflation deflation; abrasion saltation; abrasion mass wasting; deflation

deflation; abrasion

Karst topography is formed primarily by dissolution through carbonic acid solution mass wasting process exfoliation enhanced by oxidation and hydrolysis jointing and salt weathering

dissolution through carbonic acid solution

If City A is located west of city B, the time for City A is ________ than that at City B because the earth rotates from __________ when viewed from the North Pole. HINT: draw a diagram earlier; east to west (i.e. clockwise) earlier; west to east (i.e. counterclockwise) later, east to west (i.e. clockwise) later, west to east (i.e.counterclockwise) A & B only

earlier; west to east (i.e. counterclockwise)

The property that allows ice to float in liquid water and is the cause of capillary action is: hydrogen bonding covalent bonding atomic friction molecular hold

hydrogen bonding

The largest portion of fresh water today is located in clouds groundwater resources ice caps and glaciers the major rivers and lakes of the world

ice caps and glaciers

It is 10PM and you are inside in the middle of a large building. Your cell phone is dead so you cannot use wifi or cell signals to find your location. Unfortunately, your GPS unit cannot find your location either! This is because: your GPS unit cannot send signals to the satellite when it cannot reach it by line of sight. it is nighttime and the GPS does not work without sunlight. GPS relies on the cellular network to send and receive signals. your GPS unit cannot receive satellite signals when you are indoors away from windows.

your GPS unit cannot receive satellite signals when you are indoors away from windows.

Which of the following is not true about a GIS: A GIS is a computer based map. A GIS is an information management tool. A GIS communicates directly with a network of satellites to locate your position on earth. GIS can be applied to many different academic majors.

A GIS communicates directly with a network of satellites to locate your position on earth.

The Asian monsoons are the result of: The ITCZ causing a strong low pressure system in the winter months. A high pressure cell causing offshort wind from the continental landmass in the winter, and a low pressure cell causing onshow wind the continental landmass during the summer. Hadley cell circulation bringing the westerlies north over the continental mass. Descending air from the polar jet stream in the winter and converging air from the ITCZ in the summer.

A high pressure cell causing offshort wind from the continental landmass in the winter, and a low pressure cell causing onshow wind the continental landmass during the summer.

Why are the winds in a hurricane and tornado so strong? The pressure gradient is strong. The pressure at teh center of the storm is very low. Tremendous amounts of condensation occur in the center of the storm, releasing latent heat energy. All of the above.

All of the above.

Which of the following is true regarding the Richter scale? It is a scale of magnitude based on arithmetical progression (1, 2, 3...) It is a closed scale that begins at 0.0 and ends at 10.0 An 4.0 on the scale releases about 32 times more energy than a 3.0 It is the same as the Mercalli scale

An 4.0 on the scale releases about 32 times more energy than a 3.0

The layer within the earth that lies directly below the lithosphere, but above the upper mantle, is best described as a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure a granitic material that weighs an average of 2.7g per cm3 the core resistant to movement of any type

a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure

On a weather map of air pressure, what can you infer from a closer spacing of isobars? little, without knowing temperature patterns a steep pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air a steep pressure gradient creating a faster flow of air a weak pressure gradient creating a slower flow of air

a steep pressure gradient creating a faster flow of air

Sun energy is most concentrated: at the equator, year round at the subsolar point, which varies throughout the year at the aphelion and perihelion it is evenly distributed across latitudes at the north pole in the summer and the south pole in the winter

at the subsolar point, which varies throughout the year

Temperatures in the stratosphere __________ with increasing altitude because __________. decrease; of the normal lapse rate effect decrease; ozone blocks sunlight from entering this layer increase; ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and then reradiates it at infrared wavelengths increase; ozone acts as a greenhouse gas which traps ultraviolet energy radiated by the earth's surface

increase; ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun and then reradiates it at infrared wavelengths

Which of the following would cause the evaporation rate to decrease? increased water availability increased relative humidity increased temperature increased wind speed

increased relative humidity

Condensation in a storm _______ the temperature of the air and causes the air pressure in the storm system to _______. increases; rise increases; drop decreases; rise decreases; drop

increases; drop

The principles of buoyancy and balance, when applied to the Earth's crust, helps us to explain fluctuations in Earth's outer crust, a property known as magnetism Moho effect isostasy orogenesis

isostasy

An air mass must be: homogeneous and small in size uniform in the vertical dimension but may contain different temperatures and moisture contents in the horizontal direction found only in the stratosphere large, uniform in the horizontal direction and travel as a unit

large, uniform in the horizontal direction and travel as a unit

Isolines can be used on a map to portray all of the following except: location of cities magnetic declination elevation temperature the probability of a major earthquake

location of cities

Mediterranean climates (Cs) are typified by: no true dry season moist onshore airflows in the summer modest precipitation in the winter and dry summers ocean influence year-round

modest precipitation in the winter and dry summers

The primary difference between plutonic and volcanic igneous rocks is: plutonic rocks are made up of pyroclasts, while volcanic rocks are mainly basalt. plutonic rocks are uniform in appearance, while volcanic rocks commonly show distinct crystals plutonic rocks are primarily felsic, while volcanic rocks are primarily mafic plutonic rocks cool slowly below the earth's surface, while volcanic rocks cool rapidly on the earth's surface.

plutonic rocks cool slowly below the earth's surface, while volcanic rocks cool rapidly on the earth's surface.

Which of the following is an example of an active remote sensing device? the MODIS satellite a video camera an infared sensor radar

radar

When water condenses, it _____ heat energy and ______ the surrounding air. absorbs; cools absorbs; heats releases; cools releases; heats

releases; heats

Which of the following is not a cementing agent for clastic sedimentary rocks? calcium carbonate iron oxides salt silica

salt

If you were afraid of earthquakes, which of the following areas would be the safest to live? convergent plate boundary divergent plate boundary island arc subduction zone shield

shield

The sky is blue because our sun emits mostly blue light short wavelengths are scattered more than long and blue is the most dominant short wavelength. short wavelengths are absorbed more than long, and blue is the longest visible wavelength oxygen transmits blue light better than any other wavelength

short wavelengths are scattered more than long and blue is the most dominant short wavelength.

Net primary productivity is basically uniform by latitude. depends on both the local temperatures and soil type. tends to be highest on land in the tropics where there is high precipitation and high insolation. is highly dependent on the acidity of the ocean water.

tends to be highest on land in the tropics where there is high precipitation and high insolation.

Biogeography studies: the interaction between biotic and abiotic systems living animals only the location of climate systems and how rock types influence them the relationship between lunar cycles and living organisms

the interaction between biotic and abiotic systems

In a landscape that has experienced glaciation... the ice preserves the original landscape in 'suspended animation' one finds extensive dunes and hillocks deposition of material is limited to fine particles called 'glacial flour' the landscape has been transformed by indiscriminate weathering and transportation of large amounts of material.

the landscape has been transformed by indiscriminate weathering and transportation of large amounts of material.

The occurrence of contact metamorphism would be direct evidence for cementation of sedimentary rock the local intrusion of magma regional plate collision lithification of clastics

the local intrusion of magma

If you lived in an area with monotonous weather -- the same day after day -- except for occasional violent weather systems, you would be located in... the low latitudes the mid latitudes the poles it cannot be determined as weather is independent of latitude.

the low latitudes

Remote sensing is: a subjective determination of temperature the monitoring of objects without physical contact an earthbound technique, not used by satellites based on the principle that surfaces must be physically handled and directly measured for study.

the monitoring of objects without physical contact

In order for a hypothesis to be scientific, an experiment must be conducted that proves the hypothesis a well respected scientist or politician must endorse it it should be based on the theories of the ancient Greek scientists there must be some test or possible observation to disprove it it must be accepted by 100% of the scientific community

there must be some test or possible observation to disprove it

Compressional stress along a fault can result in a dropped footwall block relative to the hanging-wall side, producing a normal fault thrust fault strike-slip fault lateral fault

thrust fault