GES 110 Exam 2
How much of the world's water is fresh water? A. < 3% B. about 10% C. about 20% D. > 50%
A. < 3%
Which of the following cloud types is most likely to form as a result of convection? A. cumulus B. stratus C. cirrus D. altostratus
A. cumulus
Which soil horizon is characterized by illuviation and accumulation of materials transported downward from upper horizons? A B C O E
B
The average amount of water in the atmosphere at any one time is A. 70 meters B. 200 meters C. 3 feet D. 12 inches E. 1 inch
E. 1 inch
As we add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, A. It reacts with water to produce H2CO3 B. H2CO3 dissolves in water and dissociates to produce H+ and HCO3- C. The addition of hydrogen ions is now exceeding the ocean's buffering capacity and reducing the pH of ocean water D. Acidification of ocean water may prevent marine organisms from being able to form shells and coral reefs E. All of the above are true
E. All of the above are true
1. The area of lowest pressure, thickest clouds, and most intense precipitation is typically associated with which location in the figure shown below? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 E. these conditions are equally likely at any one of these points
A. 1
How much of the world's water is fresh water? A. < 3% B. about 10% C. about 20% D. about 50%
A. < 3%
The average residence time of a water molecule in the atmosphere is A. About a week B. About a month C. About a year D. About 10 years E. About 1000 years
A. About a week
The limiting factor for living organisms is A. the factor that is in shortest supply relative to what an organism needs B. the factor present in the smallest concentrations in an ecosystem C. the factor with the most abundant supply or availability in an ecosystem D. the factor that is not needed for growth or survival
A. the factor that is in shortest supply relative to what an organism needs
Which of the following is not a true statement about sea level rise? A. If we meet the emissions targets under the Paris Agreement (RCP 2.6), sea-level rise will level off at about 2 feet after 2100 with no further increases B. Recent projections for sea-level rise in Maryland suggest that the "stabilized emissions pathway" (RPC 4.5) might lead to sea level rise on the order of 1.7 to 3.5 feet at Baltimore by 2100, with the most likely value around 2.5 feet C. Nuisance flooding in Annapolis used to occur just a couple of days per year in the 1950's through early 1970's, and because of rising sea level it is now happening 40+ days per year D. 10 feet of sea level rise would put a large part of south Florida underwater, along with coastal areas all around Chesapeake Bay
A. If we meet the emissions targets under the Paris Agreement (RCP 2.6), sea-level rise will level off at about 2 feet after 2100 with no further increases
What do we call the undulations in the polar front? A. Rossby waves B. Anticyclones C. Hadley cells D. Barometric anomalies
A. Rossby waves
If we look at a vertical temperature profile of the ocean, A. The warmest water is at the surface B. The warmest water is at the bottom C. Temperature is almost constant from surface to bottom D. There are alternating warm and cold layers at various depths
A. The warmest water is at the surface
Why are some of the world's great deserts located in the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn? A. They are associated with subsiding air in the subtropical high-pressure belts. B. They are too remote from sources of available moisture to be able to generate precipitation. C. They are controlled by the contrast between air masses along the subtropical front. D. They are caused by massive temperature inversions when cooler high-latitude air masses push underneath the dominant warm tropical air masses and suppress the tendency for air to rise.
A. They are associated with subsiding air in the subtropical high-pressure belts.
Arctic and subarctic climates may have much lower precipitation totals than lower-latitude humid climates simply because cold air cannot hold as much moisture; but in some cases they may still have wet conditions at the surface because the subsurface has permafrost and drainage is poor. A. True B. False
A. True
As base cations are replaced on the surface of soil colloidal particles by exchange with ions from plant root hairs, there is a tendency for soil pH to go down. A. True B. False
A. True
Earth's climate is affected by variations across all time scales ranging from years to millions of years, but many of those variations follow cycles whose causes can be explained. A. True B. False
A. True
If we could squeeze all the water from the atmosphere at any one time and measure the average depth around the globe, it would be about one inch. A. True B. False
A. True
Pressure patterns and winds are much more variable and irregular in the northern hemisphere compared with the southern hemisphere A. True B. False
A. True
The last time atmospheric carbon dioxide levels exceeded 1000 parts per million was at least 50 million years ago. A. True B. False
A. True
The last time global temperature was more than 4 degrees Celsius above the temperature in 1900 was between 5 and 10 million years ago. A. True B. False
A. True
Which of the following statements is true? A. Where there is a rainshadow, temperatures at the surface are generally warmer on the rainshadow side than on the windward side of a mountain range B. Where there is a rainshadow, surface temperatures are generally warmer on the windward side of the mountain and cooler in the rainshadow area C. Where there is a rainshadow, surface temperatures generally are the same on both sides of the mountain range D. Where there is a rainshadow, surface atmospheric pressure is generally much higher on the windward side of the mountain and much lower on the rainshadow side
A. Where there is a rainshadow, temperatures at the surface are generally warmer on the rainshadow side than on the windward side of a mountain range
Which of the conditions in the previous question is the most likely description of what happens along the coast of Florida on a summer afternoon? A. a B. b C. c D. d E. e
A. a
What is an easterly wave? A. a tropical weather system in the trade-wind belt that has convergent flow and rising air with thunderstorm development on its east side and sinking, divergent air and clear conditions on its west side B. a tongue of cold air from the midlatitudes that penetrates into very low latitudes C. a sudden, destructive rise of water driven by an advancing tropical cyclone D. a strong updraft associated with thunderstorm development in a supercell storm
A. a tropical weather system in the trade-wind belt that has convergent flow and rising air with thunderstorm development on its east side and sinking, divergent air and clear conditions on its west side
What is regolith? A. any layer of loose, unconsolidated material at the earth's surface B. the unweathered bedrock at the base of a soil profile C. organic litter found at the surface of a forest soil D. an angular rock fragment found within the soil profile that is left behind by weathering processes that produced the soil
A. any layer of loose, unconsolidated material at the earth's surface
What is the magnitude of global temperature change from the last glacial maximum (18-20,000 years ago) to today? A. around 5 degrees Celsius B. 12.5 degrees Celsius C. 25 degrees Celsius D. 35 degrees Celsius
A. around 5 degrees Celsius
Air rises spontaneously A. as long as its temperature is higher than that of the surrounding air B. as long as its temperature is the same as that of the surrounding air C. as long as there is a temperature inversion D. as soon as it reaches the dew point
A. as long as its temperature is higher than that of the surrounding air
Which kind of soil texture is most likely to retain water or to drain slowly? A. clay B. loam C. sand D. silt
A. clay
Where you see this kind of feature in a radar image, what kind of front is responsible? A. cold front B. warm front C. stationary front D. occluded front
A. cold front
The Atacama desert along the coast of Chile and Peru is one of the world's driest deserts. Which of the following describes conditions that play a role in keeping this desert so dry? A. cool water offshore due to cold-water currents and upwelling of cold bottom water creates a temperature inversion in the atmosphere that suppresses any tendency of air to rise and generate condensation B. this area is simply remote from any possible source of moisture C. weather conditions here are so thoroughly dominated by the ITCZ that virtually no opportunity exists for air to rise and condense D. all of the above play a role in suppressing precipitation
A. cool water offshore due to cold-water currents and upwelling of cold bottom water creates a temperature inversion in the atmosphere that suppresses any tendency of air to rise and generate condensation
Which of the following conditions generally has to occur first before condensation can occur? A. cooling of a moist air mass B. precipitation C. warming of a moist air mass D. temperature inversion
A. cooling of a moist air mass
Which statement is correct? A. during the last 800,000 years the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere never rose above 300 parts per million until after the Industrial Revolution B. there is not yet a scientific consensus on the question of what is causing recent trends in global warming C. Greenland and Antarctica are so cold that even while glaciers are disappearing elsewhere, those in Greenland and Antarctica remain largely intact D. global climate models are unable to reproduce recent trends in global temperature1. Which statement is correct?
A. during the last 800,000 years the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere never rose above 300 parts per million until after the Industrial Revolution
What factor is MOST responsible for the "dead zone" that develops in the Gulf of Mexico every year? (Note: Chesapeake Bay suffers from the same problem.) A. excessive discharge of nutrients in runoff from agricultural land in the Mississippi River basin B. toxic contamination from industrial chemicals C. this is a natural phenomenon that cannot be attributed to human activity D. effluent from sewage treatment plants in Texas and Louisiana
A. excessive discharge of nutrients in runoff from agricultural land in the Mississippi River basin
The Holocene, the time period including all of recorded human history, A. has been an interglacial period following the rapid retreat of continental glaciers from much of the northern hemisphere B. has been a time period of absolutely stable, warm climate without any fluctuations C. has been a period of relative cooling and low sea level compared to the 100,000-year warm period that immediately preceded it D. is a unique period in earth history; there is no evidence in the record of the last several million years of any period with similar climate to what has existed on our planet for most of the last 11,000 years
A. has been an interglacial period following the rapid retreat of continental glaciers from much of the northern hemisphere
The amount of moisture that air can hold A. increases by about a factor of 2 with each 10o C increase in temperature B. does not vary with temperature C. decreases by 50% with each 10oC increase in temperature D. increases gradually and continuously as temperature rises E. increases steadily until temperature reaches 35o C; after that it stays the same even if temperature increases further
A. increases by about a factor of 2 with each 10o C increase in temperature
There are we most likely to see precipitation generated by convergence? A. over warm tropical oceans and tropical rainforests B. over the subtropical high-pressure belts C. in the vicinity of the polar front D. on southeast coasts in the midlatitudes
A. over warm tropical oceans and tropical rainforests
Climates with cold winters, warm summers and precipitation throughout the year are most strongly associated with what feature of the general circulation of the atmosphere? A. polar front B. subtropical high C. Hadley cells D. Arctic or Antarctic high pressure
A. polar front
What kind of climatic conditions would you expect to see in the areas marked with the number 2 on the map of Africa below? A. summer wet season and winter dry season B. summer dry season and winter wet season C. dry conditions throughout the year D. wet conditions throughout the year
A. summer wet season and winter dry season
The major gyres discussed in class are A. systems of ocean surface currents driven by the anticyclonic circulation of winds associated with the subtropical high pressure belts B. counterclockwise-circulating winds around a cyclone in the northern hemisphere C. convection cells associated with heating in the tropics and cooling in the subtropics D. deep-water currents associated with sinking of cold surface water at the poles and upwelling of bottom water reaching the surface in the Indian Ocean
A. systems of ocean surface currents driven by the anticyclonic circulation of winds associated with the subtropical high pressure belts
Which of the following best explains what we know about patterns in earth's climate over the last 2.6 million years? A. the cycles of glacial and interglacial periods can be explained as a result of cyclical variations in the shape of earth's orbit and the angle of tilt and "wobble" of the earth's axis B. dust from a series of massive volcanic eruptions blocked out enough solar radiation to initiate the episodes of continental glaciation C. the onset of the ice ages was caused by an asteroid that collided with the earth about 65 million years ago D. the ice ages were caused by rising sea level, which lowered the earth's albedo E. glaciation is caused by periodic weakening of the earth's magnetic field
A. the cycles of glacial and interglacial periods can be explained as a result of cyclical variations in the shape of earth's orbit and the angle of tilt and "wobble" of the earth's axis
If we look at a vertical temperature profile of the ocean, A. the warmest water is at the surface and most of the water column is only a few degrees above 0 degrees C. B. the warmest water is at the bottom and the coldest water is at the surface C. the temperature profile is almost constant from the surface to the bottom D. there are alternating warm and cold layers at varying depths
A. the warmest water is at the surface and most of the water column is only a few degrees above 0 degrees C.
What accounts for the thunder that follows lightning? A. thunder is the audible expression of a shock wave created by rapid expansion of a narrow channel of superheated air B. thunder is simply the sound generated by the flash of light itself; since the sound has a different wavelength, it travels more slowly C. thunder occurs as a result of ground shaking when a lightning bolt strikes the ground, but cannot be generated by cloud-to-cloud lightning D. none of the above are valid explanations
A. thunder is the audible expression of a shock wave created by rapid expansion of a narrow channel of superheated air
All but which of the following is supposed to be managed and prevented from entering natural waters draining to Chesapeake Bay under the terms of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL ? A. toxic organic chemicals B. sediment C. phosphorus D. nitrogen E. All of these are regulated under the terms of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL
A. toxic organic chemicals
Why is the dry adiabatic lapse rate different from the moist adiabatic lapse rate? A. when an air mass reaches the lifting condensation level, condensation begins to occur and latent heat is converted back to sensible heat, slowing down the rate of adiabatic cooling B. when the air is saturated, further cooling leads to evaporation and conversion of sensible heat to latent heat, increasing the rate of adiabatic cooling C. when a rising air mass reaches the lifting condensation level, no further cooling can occur and the temperature actually starts to rise D. in most cases the dry adiabatic lapse rate is NOT different from the moist adiabatic lapse rate
A. when an air mass reaches the lifting condensation level, condensation begins to occur and latent heat is converted back to sensible heat, slowing down the rate of adiabatic cooling
Relative humidity is A. Atmospheric water vapor content in g/kg of air B. Actual vapor pressure expressed as a percentage of saturation vapor pressure C. The temperature at which air becomes saturated D. The amount of moisture present when air is saturated
B. Actual vapor pressure expressed as a percentage of saturation vapor pressure
Which of the Koppen climate classes described in the textbook is commonly associated with the region discussed in the previous question? A. Am B. Af C. BWh D. Cfb E. Dwc
B. Af
What process leads to frontal lifting? A. Forced rise of air passing over a mountain range. B. Contact between warm and cool air masses. C. Expansion of an air mass by heating at the surface. D. Absorption of large amounts of water vapor by air masses passing over warm tropical ocean waters.
B. Contact between warm and cool air masses.
Increased frequency of warm, wet weather conditions is leading to reduced frequency of wildfire in western forests A. True B. False
B. False
What feature of the general circulation dominates weather conditions in the area marked with a "1" on the map cited in the two preceding questions? A. subtropical high B. ITCZ C. polar front D. ENSO
B. ITCZ
Air will rise spontaneously if A. If it is cooler than the air around it B. If it is warmer than the air around it C. If it is the same temperature as the air around it D. Whenever adiabatic cooling is occurring
B. If it is warmer than the air around it
Sand, silt and clay are the three end members of the soil texture triangle. What range of particle sizes would be described as silt? (Values in parentheses are alternative definitions of each size class.) A. > 2 mm B. 0.05 - 2 mm (or 0.062 - 2 mm) C. 0.002-0.05 mm (or 0.004-0.062 mm) D. < 0.002 mm (or < 0.004 mm)
C. 0.002-0.05 mm (or 0.004-0.062 mm)
What conditions are associated with the marine west coast climate? A. Extremely high summer precipitation and a winter dry season, with hot summers and cold winters B. Mild seasonal variations in temperature, with frequent cyclonic storms and abundant moisture particularly in winter C. Mild temperature variations with generally low precipitation throughout the year D. Hot summers and very cold winters with abundant precipitation throughout the year
B. Mild seasonal variations in temperature, with frequent cyclonic storms and abundant moisture particularly in winter
N 2 makes up almost 80% of our atmosphere by weight. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient. Which of the following statements is true? A. Because N is so easily available, it is never a limiting nutrient for plant growth B. N 2 is a form of nitrogen that cannot be assimilated by most plants; only a few types of organisms can "fix" nitrogen chemically in a form that is available for uptake as a nutrient C. N 2 is a greenhouse gas D. combustion of fossil fuels has added huge amounts of N 2 to the atmosphere
B. N 2 is a form of nitrogen that cannot be assimilated by most plants; only a few types of organisms can "fix" nitrogen chemically in a form that is available for uptake as a nutrient
Which statement about the global carbon cycle is not true? A. Annual CO2 inputs to the atmosphere are now larger than amounts being removed from the atmosphere B. Net CO2 contributions to the atmosphere have been increasing throughout most of earth history C. A large fraction of the CO2 added to the atmosphere currently goes into solution in the world's oceans D. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation and clearing of vegetation account for a significant input of CO2 to the atmosphere E. Photosynthesis takes CO2 out of the atmosphere and respiration puts CO2 into the atmosphere
B. Net CO2 contributions to the atmosphere have been increasing throughout most of earth history
What accounts for the difference in climatic conditions between the northeast and northwest coasts of the U.S.? A. There is no significant difference in climatic conditions between the northwest and northeast coasts B. Prevailing westerly winds bring maritime air and mild conditions onshore along the west coast and bring continental air and more severe conditions from the interior toward the east coast C. coastal upwelling causes much drier and cooler conditions along the coasts of Oregon and Washington D. maritime air masses have a much greater influence in the northeast whereas continental air masses are dominant in the northwest
B. Prevailing westerly winds bring maritime air and mild conditions onshore along the west coast and bring continental air and more severe conditions from the interior toward the east coast
The dew point is A. The moisture content of air when it reaches saturation B. The temperature at which air becomes saturated C. The height above the surface at which clouds start to form D. The time of day when fog begins to form
B. The temperature at which air becomes saturated
El Nino/Southern Oscillation involves A. Upwelling of cold water along the coast of Peru B. Weakening of trade winds and sloshing of warm water back toward the west coast of South America C. Dry conditions along the coast of Peru and flooding in Australia D. Strengthening of "normal" Pacific circulation
B. Weakening of trade winds and sloshing of warm water back toward the west coast of South America
If the ice-albedo feedback loop described in the textbook is a correct description of nature, what should happen with the disappearance of Arctic sea ice? A. a negative feedback leading to a cooling effect that slows down the rate of global warming B. a positive feedback effect that accelerates the rate of warming C. the effect is neutral and should not be expected to alter the rate of warming already in progress D. melting of Arctic sea ice will add enough volume to the ocean to cause rapid acceleration in the rate of sea-level rise
B. a positive feedback effect that accelerates the rate of warming
Major ocean currents in the North Atlantic include A. a cold-water current moving south along the east coast of North America and a warm-water current moving north along the coasts of North Africa and Europe B. a warm-water current moving north along the east coast of North America and a cool-water current moving south along the coasts of Spain and North Africa C. seasonal reversal of warm and cool-water currents along both sides of the ocean D. steady flow of ocean surface waters from west to east, sinking along the coast of Europe and North Africa and then traveling west along the bottom and rising to the surface again along the coast of North America
B. a warm-water current moving north along the east coast of North America and a cool-water current moving south along the coasts of Spain and North Africa
In class we calculated the amount of energy needed to (1) melt a gram of ice at 0 degrees C; (2) raise the temperature of the water to 100 degrees C; and (3) convert that gram of liquid water into water vapor. What percent of the total energy involved in these three processes goes into latent heat rather than sensible heat? A. about 10% B. about 85% C. 50% D. 33%
B. about 85%
The types of cyclones that are most common in the midlatitudes typically develop A. over warm tropical waters B. along a section of the polar front C. at almost any location where there is sufficient moisture to generate precipitation D. over monsoonal coasts
B. along a section of the polar front
How much of a global temperature increase is currently predicted by 2100 under IPCC scenario RCP8.5 ("business as usual")? A. between 1 and 2 degrees Celsius B. between 3 and 5.5 degrees Celsius C. 10 degrees Celsius D. 18 degrees Celsius E. All of these fall within the range of possible temperature increases by the year 2100
B. between 3 and 5.5 degrees Celsius
What is the cause of "lake-effect" snow? A. convection over the Great Lakes B. cold polar air masses moving over warmer lake water pick up moisture and latent heat, become unstable, and are chilled again over the leeward shore of the lake C. presence of a topographic barrier on the windward shore of the lake causing air over the lake to sink, warm adiabatically, and generate an intense low-pressure system that delivers large volumes of snow in winter D. all of these are common causes of lake-effect snow
B. cold polar air masses moving over warmer lake water pick up moisture and latent heat, become unstable, and are chilled again over the leeward shore of the lake
Which of the following cloud types is least likely to be associated with a warm front? A. stratus B. cumulonimbus C. cirrus D. altostratus
B. cumulonimbus
Which of the following typically is associated with the E horizon and to some extent with the A horizon in a soil? A. illuviation B. eluviation C. accumulation of organic matter D. partial alteration of parent material E. all of the above
B. eluviation
Which of the following statements is true? A. the energy source that fuels both extratropical cyclones and hurricanes is the strong temperature contrast between air masses coming from different regions B. extratropical cyclones are less common at our latitude in summer than in winter and spring, because the polar front is located further north in summer C. extratropical cyclones are triggered most often by thermal convection D. extratropical cyclones are almost never seen in the higher midlatitudes
B. extratropical cyclones are less common at our latitude in summer than in winter and spring, because the polar front is located further north in summer
Cation exchange capacity is most often associated with what characteristic of the soil? A. permeability B. fertiity and nutrient availability C. texture D. moisture content E. color
B. fertiity and nutrient availability
The limiting nutrient for algal growth and the one most likely to cause algae blooms and water-quality problems in estuarine and marine ecosystems is A. phosphorus B. nitrogen C. calcium D. oxygen
B. nitrogen
Assume that the actual amount of water vapor in the air does not change over a 24-hour period in the summer. How does relative humidity change over this same time period? A. not at all B. relative humidity should rise in the evening, reach a maximum in early morning, and gradually decline to a minimum in mid-to-late afternoon C. relative humidity should decline in the evening, reach a minimum in early morning, and gradually increase to a maximum in mid-to-late afternoon D. relative humidity should reach a minimum at noon and then gradually increase until it reaches a maximum at midnight; it should then gradually decrease again through the rest of the night and the morning
B. relative humidity should rise in the evening, reach a maximum in early morning, and gradually decline to a minimum in mid-to-late afternoon
Crumb or granular, platy, block, and prismatic or columnar are all adjectives that we use to describe what characteristic property of a soil? A. texture or particle-size distribution B. structure of aggregates or "peds" C. cation exchange capacity D. moisture status E. organic matter accumulation
B. structure of aggregates or "peds"
Which of the following is NOT an accurate description of the nature of air circulation in a tropical cyclone? A. convergent flow at the surface feeds powerful updrafts in the massive wall clouds surrounding the eye, but surface winds never actually reach the eye B. the highest wind velocities occur in the center of the eye itself C. air diverges aloft but some of it is pulled back down into the eye, sinking and heating adiabatically and keeping the eye mostly free of clouds D. the cyclonic circulation is strengthened by the conversion of latent heat into sensible heat as warm moist air rises in powerful updrafts and the moisture condenses into liquid water
B. the highest wind velocities occur in the center of the eye itself
Atmospheric water represents what fraction of the earth's water? A. 10 percent B. 1 percent C. 0.001 percent
C. 0.001 percent
What is a monsoon? A. An intense tropical storm with powerful winds and heavy rainfall B. A wind from the mountains that spreads hot air over the adjacent plains C. A seasonal reversal of wind systems associated with ITCZ migration D. A strong anticylone in the subtropics
C. A seasonal reversal of wind systems associated with ITCZ migration
What is the difference between climate and weather? A. Climate is simply the long-term average weather of a particular location on the globe. B. Climate is much more variable and unpredictable than weather. C. An accurate description of climate includes average conditions over time, seasonal patterns of variation, and the range of variation in temperature and precipitation in a region, including extremes. Weather refers to specific atmospheric conditions at a particular point in time. D. Climate and weather are interchangeable words that refer to the same thing.
C. An accurate description of climate includes average conditions over time, seasonal patterns of variation, and the range of variation in temperature and precipitation in a region, including extremes. Weather refers to specific atmospheric conditions at a particular point in time.
The largest hailstones are produced by the most intense thunderstorms. Why? A. The statement is incorrect. The largest hailstones are produced by thunderstorms at higher latitudes regardless of intensity. B. Because the raindrops produced by intense thunderstorms are larger, and hailstones are made from frozen raindrops. C. Because more intense thunderstorms have more intense vertical circulation and more powerful updrafts that can resuspend hailstones multiple times until they are too large to be carried by the updraft. D. Because only the most intense thunderstorms are tall enough to reach altitudes where the air temperature is below the freezing point of water.
C. Because more intense thunderstorms have more intense vertical circulation and more powerful updrafts that can resuspend hailstones multiple times until they are too large to be carried by the updraft.
Which location is most likely to have a humid continental hot-summer climate? A. San Diego B. London C. Chicago D. New Orleans
C. Chicago
The "global conveyor belt" is A. Another term to describe the polar-front jet stream B. Another term to describe the subtropical high-pressure systems that drive major surface gyres C. Density-drive deep ocean currents with upwelling and downwelling affected by thermohaline circulation D. The seasonally-migrating Intertropical Convergence Zone
C. Density-drive deep ocean currents with upwelling and downwelling affected by thermohaline circulation
The "global conveyor belt" is A. Another term to describe the polar-front jet stream B. Another term to describe the subtropical high-pressure systems that drive major surface gyres C. Density-driven deep ocean currents with upwelling and downwelling affected by thermohaline circulation D. The seasonally-migratingIntertropical Convergence Zone
C. Density-driven deep ocean currents with upwelling and downwelling affected by thermohaline circulation
What is the connection between El Nino and hurricanes? A. no connection B. El Nino leads to increased probability of Atlantic hurricanes C. El Nino leads to a lower probability of Atlantic hurricanes D. El Nino causes Atlantic hurricanes to occur earlier in the summer
C. El Nino leads to a lower probability of Atlantic hurricanes
Assume that the air is unsaturated. If vapor pressure stays the same while temperature goes down, what happens to relative humidity? A. It stays the same B. It goes down C. It goes up
C. It goes up
If we start with 1 gm of ice at 0oC,melt it, heat it from 0 to 100oC, and evaporate it, most of the energy involved goes into what form? A. Sensible heat B. Latent heat of melting C. Latent heat of vaporization D. All are about equal
C. Latent heat of vaporization
Which of the following statements is not true? A. Because the grounding line where the ice sheet meets bedrock gets deeper inland underneath the ice sheet, warm water intruding beneath the floating part of the ice sheet is causing rapid acceleration in the rate of retreat of several massive glaciers in West Antarctica. B. According to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, model projections that account for new scientific understanding about the retreat of Antarctic glaciers lead to an increase in the worst-case scenario from 7 feet of sea-level rise in Baltimore by 2200 to 26 feet of sea-level rise in Baltimore by 2200. C. Model projections suggest that the Antarctic ice sheet will disappear entirely within the next 250 years if we do not control greenhouse-gas emissions D. All of the above are true
C. Model projections suggest that the Antarctic ice sheet will disappear entirely within the next 250 years if we do not control greenhouse-gas emissions
How is the pH of soil related to environmental conditions? A. acidic soils are found in arid environments and alkaline soils are found in humid environments B. the pH of soil is affected only by the type of parent material and climate has no influence C. Rock type may play a role, but generally pH is lower where there has been a longer period of more intense weathering and replacement of base cations by H+; this is particularly common in very humid environments D. as soils get older, they typically evolve from acidic to alkaline pH
C. Rock type may play a role, but generally pH is lower where there has been a longer period of more intense weathering and replacement of base cations by H+; this is particularly common in very humid environments
The major "gyres" in each hemisphere are A. Counterclockwise-circulating winds around northern-hemisphere cyclones B. Deep-water currents driven by sinking of cold water at the poles C. Systems of surface currents driven by anticyclonic circulation around subtropical highs
C. Systems of surface currents driven by anticyclonic circulation around subtropical highs
Which of the following statements about the phosphorus cycle is NOT true? A. it is typically a limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystems but not generally in estuarine or marine ecosystmes B. it occurs in natural systems in both organic form and as inorganic phosphates and is also a component in some naturally occurring mineral deposits C. it occurs most commonly in dissolved form and only very rarely in particulate form or in a chemical form attached to solid particles D. in natural landscapes inorganic phosphorus is most commonly bound to soil particles and travels in particulate form and less commonly in dissolved form
C. it occurs most commonly in dissolved form and only very rarely in particulate form or in a chemical form attached to solid particles
Which type of front is associated with the symbol shown below? A. stationary front B. warm front C. occluded front D. cold front
C. occluded front
Humid subtropical and humid continental climates in China have a much more pronounced seasonal pattern of precipitation than comparable climates in the U.S. What is the reason for this? A. These climates are found much closer to the equator in China than they are in the U.S. B. The influence of the polar front is stronger in China, bringing a greater likelihood of high pressure and drought in the summer C. The influence of the ITCZ associated with the monsoon extends far enough north in Asia to affect even midlatitude climates in China, and the enormous winter high pressure centered over Siberia causes strong dry conditions extending over a broad region D. There are strong orographic controls causing a more even seasonal distribution of moisture in the eastern U.S. compared with eastern China.
C. The influence of the ITCZ associated with the monsoon extends far enough north in Asia to affect even midlatitude climates in China, and the enormous winter high pressure centered over Siberia causes strong dry conditions extending over a broad region
1. Between 400 and 300 million years ago there was a dramatic reduction in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, from 3000 parts per million to a few hundred parts per million. What accounts for this change? A. A global cycle of massive volcanic eruptions and degassing from the earth's interior B. Collision of the earth with an asteroid that caused disruption of the composition of the atmosphere C. The spread of forest vegetation over the surface of the continents D. Evolution of the first single-celled photosynthetic organisms in the ocean's surface waters E. No reasonable explanation has yet been presented
C. The spread of forest vegetation over the surface of the continents
How do soil profiles form? A. They are deposited in a vertical sequence like layers of sediment B. They don't "form" - they are simply made from different kinds of rock C. They develop over time, beginning at the surface and growing downward into the unweathered material at the earth's surface D. none of the above
C. They develop over time, beginning at the surface and growing downward into the unweathered material at the earth's surface
Under what conditions do we see formation of the type of front illustrated in the previous question? A. a warm air mass moves underneath a colder air mass, causing the cold air to rise abruptly over the boundary between warm and cold air B. a warm air mass slides gradually over a cooler air mass, producing stratiform clouds C. a rapidly moving cold front overtakes a warm front and forces the warm air entirely away from the surface D. warm and cold air masses are in contact on either side of a boundary, but there is little or no motion
C. a rapidly moving cold front overtakes a warm front and forces the warm air entirely away from the surface
Average global sea level 19-20,000 years ago was A. 50 m higher than it is today B. about the same as it is today C. about 120 m lower than it is today D. we have no way of knowing what sea level was at that point in the past
C. about 120 m lower than it is today
Highland climates A. are always cooler and drier than adjacent climate zones at lower altitudes B. are highly variable and so different from adjacent lowland areas that no pattern can be predicted C. are characterized by vertical zonation that in some cases can encompass the range between tropical rainforest and tundra conditions, with lower temperatures and (sometimes) wetter conditions at higher altitudes
C. are characterized by vertical zonation that in some cases can encompass the range between tropical rainforest and tundra conditions, with lower temperatures and (sometimes) wetter conditions at higher altitudes
An increase in the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean A. changes the color of ocean waters and alters the earth's radiation balance B. is a direct result of the increase in global temperature C. changes the pH of the ocean and threatens coral reef habitat as well as the ability of shellfish to build their shells D. All of the above are true
C. changes the pH of the ocean and threatens coral reef habitat as well as the ability of shellfish to build their shells
What is the process that converts nitrate into nitrogen gas? A. nitrification B. ammonification C. denitrification D. nitrogen uptake by plants
C. denitrification
What drives the thermohaline circulation? A. global winds B. ocean surface currents and major gyres C. density differences controlled by differences in temperature and salinity D. the Coriolis effect
C. density differences controlled by differences in temperature and salinity
Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. precipitation generally cannot occur unless there is a rising air mass and it reaches the lifting condensation level B. once the dew point is reached, condensation occurs preferentially around microscopic particles called condensation nuclei C. formation of cloud droplets in a rising air mass is the last step required before precipitation begins D. the average raindrop has a radius 100 times larger than the average cloud droplet and contains about a million times as much water E. in order for precipitation to occur, it is necessary first for cloud droplets to combine into larger droplets that are heavy enough for their weight to overcome the upward force of the rising air
C. formation of cloud droplets in a rising air mass is the last step required before precipitation begins
The vast majority of the earth's FRESH water is where? A. atmosphere B. oceans C. glaciers and ice sheets D. groundwater E. rivers and lakes F. soil moisture
C. glaciers and ice sheets
The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere A. is pretty constant from place to place around the globe B. varies in space but doesn't show much variation at any one place over time C. is only about 1/1000 of 1% of the total volume of water on the globe, but is important because it cycles through the atmosphere very rapidly with an average residence time of only 7 to 9 days D. is about the same as the total volume of liquid water in lakes, rivers, wetlands, and soil moisture
C. is only about 1/1000 of 1% of the total volume of water on the globe, but is important because it cycles through the atmosphere very rapidly with an average residence time of only 7 to 9 days
Which phenomena are associated with Ekman transport? A. sinking air and high pressure in the intertropical convergence zone B. heat transfer from equatorial to polar latitudes by warm ocean currents C. ocean surface currents driven by trade winds in the northern hemisphere veer to the right, producing currents that move offshore and are replaced by upwelling of cold bottom water D. none of the above
C. ocean surface currents driven by trade winds in the northern hemisphere veer to the right, producing currents that move offshore and are replaced by upwelling of cold bottom water
Tropical cyclones tend to form A. at the equator B. in the South Atlantic ocean C. over warm tropical waters at least 5-10 degrees away from the equator D. where a cold air mass penetrates into tropical latitudes E. in the vicinity of the polar front
C. over warm tropical waters at least 5-10 degrees away from the equator
1. What process is shown in the equation below? C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy A. photosynthesis B. carbon sequestration C. respiration D. oxidation-reduction
C. respiration
Which of the following statements about soil is NOT true? A. it is a mixture of solid mineral particles and pore spaces, and the pore spaces are typically occupied by a mixture of water and air B. no true soil can exist without some amount of biological activity and some amount of organic matter C. soil is any loose unconsolidated material at the earth's surface and does not need to have any organic matter or water or any differentiation into horizons D. soil profile development takes time, as soil forming processes operate from the surface downward and lead to differentiation of horizons
C. soil is any loose unconsolidated material at the earth's surface and does not need to have any organic matter or water or any differentiation into horizons
What happens in an aquatic ecosystem if we increase the abundance of the limiting nutrient? A. nothing, because it's the limiting nutrient B. sudden dieback of living organisms C. stimulation of excess growth of algal cells, often leading to blooms that are not consumed by other organisms and that sink into bottom waters where they are broken down by bacteria D. rapid increase in water temperature
C. stimulation of excess growth of algal cells, often leading to blooms that are not consumed by other organisms and that sink into bottom waters where they are broken down by bacteria
Which climate type and/or associated vegetation pattern corresponds to number 4 on the map in the previous question? A. tropical rainforest B. tropical savanna C. subtropical desert D. humid continental E. marine west coast
C. subtropical desert
What happens to rising air under the conditions illustrated in the figure below? A. the air mass will rise until it reaches altitude A and then it will become stable B. the air mass is stable and will not rise at all unless forced C. the air mass rises spontaneously and clouds form beginning at altitude A, but the air mass stops rising at altitude B D. clouds begin to form at altitude B
C. the air mass rises spontaneously and clouds form beginning at altitude A, but the air mass stops rising at altitude B
Humus is A. a layer of leaf litter found at the surface of a forest soil B. a corrosive compound that occurs naturally in rainwater C. the finely divided, dark-colored residue left behind by gradual decay of organic matter in the upper layer of the soil D. the oxidized inorganic minerals left behind as a result of intensive leaching in a tropical soil
C. the finely divided, dark-colored residue left behind by gradual decay of organic matter in the upper layer of the soil
In the mature phase of thunderstorm development, A. the cloud is dominated almost entirely by updrafts B. the cloud is dominated almost entirely by downdrafts C. there often are powerful updrafts and downdrafts in separate parts of the same cloud D. the entire cloud oscillates between alternating vertical pulses of rising and falling air
C. there often are powerful updrafts and downdrafts in separate parts of the same cloud
El Nino/Southern Oscillation involves A. upwelling of cold water along the coast of Peru and warm water being driven by the trade winds west across the Pacific toward Australia B. strengthening of the "normal" Pacific circulation pattern C. weakening of the trade winds in the Pacific and "sloshing" of warm water from the western to the eastern Pacific, cutting off upwelling and causing wet conditions along the coast of South America D. dry conditions along the coast of Peru and flooding in northeastern Australia
C. weakening of the trade winds in the Pacific and "sloshing" of warm water from the western to the eastern Pacific, cutting off upwelling and causing wet conditions along the coast of South America
How much of the world's fresh water is stored in ice sheets and glaciers? A. < 10% B. about 20% C. about half D. > 75%
D. > 75%
How much of the world's fresh water is stored in ice sheets and glaciers? A. <10% B. about 20% C. about half D. >75%
D. >75%
Which of the following conditions may be associated with formation of fog? A. Radiative cooling of a moist air mass overnight B. Warm, moist air coming into contact with cooler water C. Vapor evaporating from warm water and condensing when it hits cooler air D. All of the above
D. All of the above
Which statement is most accurate? A. There is no evidence to suggest a connection between climate warming and extreme rainfall B. The likelihood of extreme rainfall increases as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor C. The intensity of the rainfall in events like the 2017 flooding in Houston caused by Hurricane Harvey, and the 2018 Ellicott City flood is attributable to the effects of climate change D. B is true and some scientists are arguing that C is also true
D. B is true and some scientists are arguing that C is also true
From the land surface downward to the weathered bedrock, which is he correct order of the different horizons in a soil? A. A, B, C, D, E B. A, B, C, O, E C. D, C, B, A, E D. O, A, E, B, C
D. O, A, E, B, C
Which of the following statements about subarctic taiga climates is not true? A. They are associated with short, generally cool summers and intensely cold winters B. They are dominated by conifer trees C. They are found in a latitude belt extending from Scandinavia to Siberia and from Labrador across north-central Canada to Alaska D. The ground is frozen throughout the year and forest vegetation therefore cannot survive there; only mosses, lichens and herbaceous vegetation occur in these climates.
D. The ground is frozen throughout the year and forest vegetation therefore cannot survive there; only mosses, lichens and herbaceous vegetation occur in these climates.
Where would you find the greatest seasonal variation in monthly precipitation? A. Tropical rainforest climate B. Humid continental climate C. Mediterranean climate D. Tropical monsoon climate E. Midlatitude desert
D. Tropical monsoon climate
Which answer best describes climatic conditions in Florida? A. Dominated by the ITCZ throughout the year B. Dominated by the ITCZ in summer and by dry subtropical air in winter C. Dry summer and wet winter D. Wet throughout the year - maritime tropical air is pumped onshore by clockwise circulation around the subtropical high in summer and heating over land causes frequent convective precipitation; frontal precipitation is common in winter
D. Wet throughout the year - maritime tropical air is pumped onshore by clockwise circulation around the subtropical high in summer and heating over land causes frequent convective precipitation; frontal precipitation is common in winter
Hazards associated with tropical cyclones include A. storm surge and coastal flooding B. inland flooding from intense rainfall C. extreme wind velocities that may tear the roofs off houses or flatten buildings D. all of the above
D. all of the above
The storm track for a tropical cyclone A. almost always involves westward drift in the trade-wind belt B. may include a turn to higher latitudes and steering by the westerlies C. is highly variable from one tropical cyclone to the next D. all of the above are true
D. all of the above are true
Tropical air masses A. tend to have limited spatial reach and are mostly confined to the tropics B. can influence on weather at higher latitudes both through incursion of tropical air masses and through the influence of warm ocean currents C. are characterized by strong temperature contrasts over short distances D. all of the above are true
D. all of the above are true
Microscopic particles that can be suspended in water indefinitely and that attract and retain base cations in soil are A. nutrients B. pedons C. catenas D. colloids
D. colloids
Which mechanism is dominant in raindrop formation in midlatitude clouds? A. collision-coalescence process B. subluminescence C. adiabatic warming D. ice-crystal process
D. ice-crystal process
Convective storms occur most frequently A. in areas that are affected by maritime tropical air masses B. in the areas with the highest temperatures, regardless of air mass type C. in areas where warm and cool air masses meet D. in high-latitude continental regions E. the type of location has no influence on the frequency of convective storms
D. in high-latitude continental regions
Where is chemical weathering most effective? A. in cold, dry environments B. in hot desert environments C. in cold, wet environments D. in tropical wet environments
D. in tropical wet environments
Adiabatic cooling A. occurs as a result of mixing between a rising air mass and the cooler air around it B. occurs whenever a rising air mass reaches the lifting condensation level C. is a result of radiative cooling of an air mass during the night and early morning D. is independent of the temperature of the surrounding air and is entirely a result of the expansion of an air mass as it rises and is exposed to lower atmospheric pressure
D. is independent of the temperature of the surrounding air and is entirely a result of the expansion of an air mass as it rises and is exposed to lower atmospheric pressure
Air masses moving inland from the Gulf of Mexico typically belong to which group? A. cP B. mP C. cT D. mT E. cA
D. mT
What kind of weather pattern is the most important source of moisture throughout most of the year in the climate described in the previous question? A. tropical cyclones B. convective storms C. easterly waves D. midlatitude cyclones E. convergent lifting in the vicinity of the ITCZ
D. midlatitude cyclones
What controls semiarid and arid climates of the midlatitudes? A. subtropical high pressure belt B. polar high C. polar front D. rainshadow from mountain ranges or remoteness from sources of moisture at continental interior locations E. all of the above
D. rainshadow from mountain ranges or remoteness from sources of moisture at continental interior locations
Which of the following would you find in eastern Wyoming and Colorado? A. humid subtropical climate B. tundra climate C. Mediterranean climate D. semiarid steppe E. boreal forest
D. semiarid steppe
Which of the following is a step that is involved in the development of a tornado? A. central pressure is so high that air is forced down and outward at high velocity B. migration of the ITCZ into subtropical latitudes C. a warm front catches up with a cold front and forces the cold air off the ground D. stronger winds aloft and weaker winds at the surface cause spinning of air along a horizontal axis
D. stronger winds aloft and weaker winds at the surface cause spinning of air along a horizontal axis
Saturation vapor pressure is A. about 12 millibars B. atmospheric pressure measured at the earth's surface when the air is saturated C. the portion of total atmospheric pressure that is due to the weight of water vapor in the air D. the portion of total atmospheric pressure due to the weight of water vapor in the air when relative humidity is 100%
D. the portion of total atmospheric pressure due to the weight of water vapor in the air when relative humidity is 100%
The dew point is A. the altitude where a rising air mass becomes saturated B. the amount of moisture in the air when dew or fog begins to form C. the relative humidity at the time when dew or fog begins to form D. the temperature at which air becomes saturated and condensation begins
D. the temperature at which air becomes saturated and condensation begins
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum is the biggest change in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in the shortest amount of time that we know of in the geologic record. Which of the following statements is NOT true? A. the contemporary rate of increase in CO2 contributions to the atmosphere is hundreds of times faster than the estimated rate of increase for this event that occurred 55 million years ago B. this event caused a temperature rise of 5-8 degrees Celsius and it was more than 200,000 years until temperature returned close to its previous level C. we know about this event because of oxygen-isotope records from Atlantic and Pacific ocean deep-sea sediment cores D. this event was associated with one of the two greatest extinction events in earth history
D. this event was associated with one of the two greatest extinction events in earth history
You look at the sky and see high, wispy cirrus clouds that gradually get lower and thicker over the next 12 to 24 hours. What kind of front is approaching? A. cold B. stationary C. occluded D. warm E. monopoelic
D. warm
The major wind-driven ocean currents A. Extend from the ocean surface to the bottom B. Involve only the surface layer of the ocean C. Vary from week to week in the same way as shifting wind patterns D. Are a result of the average wind patterns over a broad region rather than short-term patterns E. B and D are both true
E. B and D are both true
Color often is diagnostic of conditions in the soil. Which of the following statements is NOT correct? A. White colors are associated with the accumulation of mineral salts in arid environments B. Red and yellow colors are associated with oxidation C. Black color is associated with large amounts of humus D. Ashy gray colors are associated with leaching and removal of organics and clay particles in acidic soils E. Blue-green colors are associated with arid environments
E. Blue-green colors are associated with arid environments
Phase changes in water A. are associated with breaking of the bonds linking water molecules when ice melts and when liquid water evaporates B. involve the absorption of latent heat in both melting and evaporation C. involve the release of latent heat in both condensation and freezing D. may include the direct conversion of ice to water vapor or water vapor to ice E. all of the above are true
E. all of the above are true
Temperature inversions A. occur when sinking air from above warms adiabatically and is warmer than air at the surface B. occur when upwelling of cold bottom water along the coast leads to temperatures that are always cooler than the air above C. occurs when a cool air mass moves in from offshore and pushes its way underneath warmer surface air D. may trap a layer of air at the surface where pollutants can accumulate E. all of the above are true
E. all of the above are true
Tornadoes A. typically develop in association with an advancing cold front in contact with a maritime tropical air mass B. occur more often in the south-central US than anywhere else in the world C. are most commonly associated with supercell storms with a deep rotating updraft known as a mesocyclone D. can be spawned by tropical cyclones E. all of the above are true
E. all of the above are true
What evidence do we have for long-term variations in global climate? A. as glaciers move over the landscape they leave both erosional and depositional evidence of their presence in places where we do not find them today B. fluctuations in the ratio of oxygen isotopes 18 and 16 that are preserved in marine microfossils buried in sediment layers on the ocean floor can be used to reconstruct variations in global ice volume and global temperature over tens of millions of years C. changes in the relative abundance of different kinds of pollen in lake sediments can be used to draw conclusions about changes in climate that controlled patterns of terrestrial vegetation D. fluctuations in the ratio of oxygen isotopes 18 and 16 that are preserved in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica can be used to reconstruct variations in global ice volume and global temperature over most of the last million years E. all of the above are true
E. all of the above are true
Which of the following is NOT an anticipated side effect of global climate change? A. rising sea level B. increased likelihood of extreme weather C. increased frequency of wildfire and increased length of the fire season in forests of the western U.S. D. changes in Arctic albedo owing to loss of sea ice E. all of the above either have been observed or can be expected to occur
E. all of the above either have been observed or can be expected to occur
All but which of the following are potentially among the major sources of phosphorus to natural waters? A. weathering of naturally-occurring phosphate minerals B. animal manure in agricultural landscapes C. chemical fertilizers applied to the land surface D. effluent from sewage treatment plants or from untreated sewage E. atmospheric deposition of byproducts from fossil fuel combustion
E. atmospheric deposition of byproducts from fossil fuel combustion
Which of the following is not one of the lifting mechanisms that are important ways of generating precipitation from an air mass? A. convection B. convergence C. orographic D. frontal E. monopoelic
E. monopoelic
Which of the following is NOT an example of carbon sequestration? A. incorporation of calcium carbonate shells into marine sediments that are preserved as limestone B. burial of organic matter to form fossil deposits of coal, petroleum and natural gas C. reforestation by planting of trees on deforested land D. wetland restoration E. respiration
E. respiration
Which of the following is NOT one of the five factors of soil formation? A. time B. parent material C. climate D. topography E. tectonic activity F. biological activity
E. tectonic activity
Which of the following does NOT have an important influence on the spatial pattern of global moisture regimes? A. Latitude B. Continental vs. maritime location C. Seasonal shifts in major pressure belts D. East vs. west coast location E. Ocean currents F. ALL of the above affect the global spatial pattern of precipitation
F. ALL of the above affect the global spatial pattern of precipitation
Which of the following features is NOT typical for tropical cyclones and hurricanes? A. convergence at the surface and divergence aloft B. sinking air at the center over the eye C. spiral rain bands and extremely high clouds along the eyewall D. extremely low central barometric pressure E. fueled by latent heat F. All of the above are true
F. All of the above are true
