Chapter 15- Geography (Earth Science)

Which of the following is true of loess deposits?

They are formed of fine-grained clays and silts

The suspension of finer particles by wind over significant distances is a phenomenon known as

a dust storm

The sandblasting action of wind-blown particles is called

abrasion

The term eolian refers to

erosion, transportation, and deposition by wind

If precipitation events occur in a desert, a dry streambed can fill with a torrent called a _________ and the dry streambed is known as a ________

flashflood; wash

The ability of the wind to move materials

is small compared to others transporting agents, such as water and ice.

The spatial distributions of Earth's dry regions are attributable to all of the following factors except

the equatorial low pressure region and the ITCZ

About _______ are of desert areas are covered with sand?

10%

Clay is easy to life from a surface and also is easy to keep suspended in the air.

False

In China, the desert pavements are called _____.

Gobi

Which of the following surface conditions could limit the effectiveness of wind as an erosional agent?

Surface materials consisting of clay-sized particles.

Desertification is caused by

-poor agricultural practices -deforestation -global climate changes

Which of the following is not true of alluvial fans?

They frequently occur in the eastern US.

A desert is an area in which potential evapotranspiration rates exceed actual evapotranspiration rates

True

The formation of desert pavement involves both wind and water

True

The rate of sand movement is proportional to wind speed

True

The skipping and bouncing action of saltation accounts for about 80% of wind transported particles

True

the saltating particles can initiate movement of other particles

True

List three classes of dune forms ______, ______, and _______.

cresentic, linear, and star

Which two processes create desert pavement?

deflation and rain wash

Removal of vegetation from a semiarid grassland environment is likely to lead to

delfation

The removal and lifting of individual loose particles by the wind is termed

delfation

Pebbles can be moved by _______ in a process known as ________.

saltating particles; surface creep

In which region of the U.S. are eolian processes most effective?

southwest

Elongated, streamlined ridges aligned parallel to the most effective wind direction are called

yardangs

Which side of a dune typically has a slope angle equal of that of the angle of repose for sand?

leeward side

Which of the following grain sizes is most readily moved by the wind?

intermediate

Desert landscapes tend to be _______ in appearance because of the _______

rugged and hard-edged; lack of water erosion

What size material comprises the dust in a dust storm that extends thousands of feet above ground?

silts and clays

Desert pavement refers to

surfaces of concentrated pebbles and gravels