ESC Final
What is happening to the hillside in the tundra pictured below? (Q12) a. an avalanche b. a debris flow c. solifluction d. a slump
??
Runoff from farm fields entering a stream system is likely to be __________ than that from naturally vegetated fields. a. greater and more sediment-laden b. smaller but more sediment-laden c. greater but less sediment-laden d. smaller and less sediment-laden
Possibly... a. greater and more sediment-laden or b. smaller but more sediment-laden
Sea level is currently rising at 3.3 mm/year, and scientists predict that global warming could cause a rise in sea level of 7 m if left unabated. How long will it take the sea to rise 7 m at the current rate? a. 2,121 years b. 0.0004 year c. 2.121 years d. 0.47 year
a. 2,121 years
Identify the failure surface in the image below. a. A b. B c. C d. D
a. A (?)
________ occurs when debris or snow mixes with air to form a chaotic cloud. a. An avalanche b. A slump c. Creep d. Solifluction
a. An avalanche
Where would you expect to find geysers? a. Iceland b. England c. Antarctica d. Greenland
a. Iceland
Why does the removal of material at the base of a slope decrease its stability? a. Removing material decreases the surface tension between grains. b. The force of gravity decreases, and the slope will fail. c. The slope now has a much lower angle of repose. d. The slope now exceeds the angle of repose.
a. Removing material decreases the surface tension between grains (?)
You are testing the groundwater quality of an aquifer and find that it has high amounts of arsenic. What is the likely source? a. The arsenic comes from the dissolved minerals in the aquifer rock. b. The arsenic comes from the reaction of the water with your testing supplies. c. The arsenic is being poured into the groundwater to poison the town. d. All groundwater contains high amounts of arsenic.
a. The arsenic comes from the dissolved minerals in the aquifer rock.
What physical property of the underlying rock would lead to the formation of a cliff over which a waterfall may form? a. a high resistance to erosion b. high porosity c. large permeability d. very fine grain sizes
a. a high resistance to erosion
A(n) ________ consists of sand and gravel deposited by ephemeral distributary channels that occur where a gully or a canyon discharges from its mouth. a. alluvial fan b. ventifact c. wadi d. yardang
a. alluvial fan
Talus aprons represent accumulations of ________. a. angular debris at the base of a hill b. lag deposits c. coarse sediment in a deflation basin d. loess at the edge of a desert
a. angular debris at the base of a hill
What is the most effective means of mitigating the risk of a slope failure for slope shown in the figure below? (Q40) a. applying shotcrete b. revegetating with new plants c. installing riprap d. dewatering the slope
a. applying shotcrete (?)
For a well to function properly, it must be drilled below the water table and into a(n) _________. a. aquifer b. aquitard c. spring d. geyser
a. aquifer
Structures 14like jetties, groins, and breakwaters 14that are designed to prevent beach erosion __________. a. are permanent solutions that protect erosional beaches b. must be built in conjunction with beach nourishment c. are a temporary solution that decreases the rate of beach erosion d. have the added benefit of allowing organic coasts to develop
a. are permanent solutions that protect erosional beaches
The lowest elevation to which a stream can downcut is the ________. a. base level b. floodplain c. stream gradient d. thalweg
a. base level
Why is a spring tide so much higher than a normal high tide? a. because the Sun is aligned with the moon b. because the Moon is aligned with the Earth c. because the Moon is directly over the North Pole d. because the Sun is directly over the North Pole
a. because the Sun is aligned with the moon
The ________ in the sequence of sedimentary rocks shown below may become a failure surface. (Q20) a. bedding planes b. exfoliation joints c. foliation planes d. uplift planes
a. bedding planes
Which of the following hazards could lead to desertification? a. climate change b. earthquakes c. landslides d. flooding
a. climate change
Surface currents flow __________ in the Northern Hemisphere and __________ in the Southern Hemisphere. a. counterclockwise; clockwise b. upward; downward c. clockwise; counterclockwise d. equatorward; poleward
a. counterclockwise; clockwise
Tree trunks that have a pronounced curvature at their base are indicative of ___________. (Q13) a. creep b. an avalanche c. solifluction d. a slump
a. creep
Weathering is a failure trigger because it ____________ of the material. a. decreases the strength b. increases the friction c. decreases the weight d. takes vegetation off
a. decreases the strength
In uniform sediments with a relatively constant and gentle slope at the surface, a ________ drainage network is expected. a. dendritic b. radial c. rectangular d. trellis
a. dendritic
Compared with the continental crust, the oceanic crust is ________. a. denser b. less dense c. about the same density d. about half as dense
a. denser
A flowing artesian well is one that ________. a. discharges groundwater at the ground surface without pumping b. has its intake sited within the vadose zone of an unconfined aquifer c. has its intake sited within the unsaturated zone of an unconfined aquifer d. has its recharge area at an elevation below sea level
a. discharges groundwater at the ground surface without pumping
A stream is ________. a. flowing water confined to a channel b. a small river found near its headwaters c. a small river near the mouth d. a large river near its source
a. flowing water confined to a channel
The Sahara is a desert primarily because it is located ________. a. in the subtropics b. within the rain shadow of a mountain range c. near the center of a large continent d. next to a cold ocean current
a. in the subtropics
After extensive erosion of a hill in a desert environment, the small remnant surrounded by alluvium-filled basins is known as a(n) ________. a. inselberg b. hogback c. questa d. mesa
a. inselberg
The stream gradient of most rivers ________. a. is greater near the source than near the mouth b. is greater near the mouth than near the source c. does not change significantly as a river flows downstream d. is greater for a meandering stream than for any other type
a. is greater near the source than near the mouth
Ground shaking can transform wet sediments into liquid-like slurries in a process known as ________. a. liquefaction b. slumping c. undercutting d. sloping
a. liquefaction
Fine-grained, wind-blown sediments are eventually deposited as ________. a. loess b. ventifacts c. dunes d. desert pavement
a. loess
V-shaped stream valleys result from the downcutting of stream erosion and ________. a. mass wasting on the valley sides b. isostatic rebound c. the topographic rule of V's d. conservation of angular momentum
a. mass wasting on the valley sides
Construction workers often cut benches or terraces, such as those seen in the image below, along the sides of roads to help mitigate landslides. This is because terraces (Q38) a. provide flat areas where large trees and shrubs can be planted. b. mitigate slope failure by removing weight from the hillside. c. force cars to be farther from steep slopes that might fail. d. allow flat areas where houses can be built without adding weight.
a. provide flat areas where large trees and shrubs can be planted. (?)
The process of reef bleaching occurs when __________. a. reefs lose their color and die in response to warming of seawater b. reefs lose their color following sedimentation due to a large storm c. reefs are exposed to too much sunlight d. overfishing causes a decrease in species diversity
a. reefs lose their color and die in response to warming of seawater
Waves ________. a. refract so as to impact the shore in a nearly parallel manner b. refract so as to impact the shore nearly perpendicular to the shoreline c. reflect directly backward from the angle at which they approach the shoreline d. are reflected off the shoreline but never refract
a. refract so as to impact the shore in a nearly parallel manner
The most important factor in determining if an area will be subject to mass movement is _______. a. relief b. gravity c. weather d. water content
a. relief
Areas with relatively scarce sand and constantly shifting winds will develop ________ dunes. a. star b. barchans c. parabolic d. longitudinal
a. star
Fine-grained sediment, such as dust and silt, can stay in the air and be transported by wind in ________. a. suspension b. saltation c. deflation d. surface creep
a. suspension
The principal difference between a slump and a debris slide is ________. a. the shape of the path taken by the moving mass b. the grain size of the moving mass c. that a slump contains abundant water, whereas a debris slide is dry d. that a slump contains pyroclastic debris from a volcanic eruption
a. the shape of the path taken by the moving mass
The hydraulic gradient in Darcy's Law is essentially the same as which of the following? a. the slope of a line b. the quadratic equation c. a Pythagorean triangle d. the area of a triangle
a. the slope of a line
In the figure below, which way is the wave moving? (Q96) a. to the right b. to the left c. back and forth d. The wave is stationary.
a. to the right (?)
In a _________, submarine sediments flow chaotically downslope in submarine canyons. a. turbidity current b. tsunami c. submarine debris flow d. submarine slump
a. turbidity current
As shown in the figure below, wind erosion can create a faceted rock known as a ________. a. ventifact b. lag deposit c. yardang d. wadi
a. ventifact
Lahars occur on ________. a. volcanic slopes b. vertical cliff faces c. undersea slopes d. divergent plate boundaries
a. volcanic slopes
What is the average percentage of dissolved salt in seawater? a. 1.5% b. 3.5% c. 5.5% d. 6.5%
b. 3.5%
Adding a small amount of water to a substance increase its cohesion; whereas, adding a lot of water decreases its cohesion. Why? a. A small amount of water decreases surface tension, allowing the grains to bond together, whereas too much water will increase surface tension and force the grains away from each other. b. A small amount of water increases surface tension and holds the grain together. Too much water between the grains will eliminate surface tension. c. Water has a small electrostatic force that disrupts the gravitational attraction of the grains and forces them to move away from each other. d. A small amount of water will precipitate cement into the pores of the material, whereas too much water will not allow that cement to form.
b. A small amount of water increases surface tension and holds the grain together. Too much water between the grains will eliminate surface tension.
The figure below shows two hypothetical streams that have identical cross-sectional areas but different channel shapes. Assuming all other factors are equal, stream ________ will have the fastest flow because of the difference in ________. (Q59) a. A; width b. A; wetted perimeter c. B; width d. B; wetted perimeter
b. A; wetted perimeter
Consult the figure below. What will eventually happen to the Everglades if the people of Miami and Fort Myers do not stop using the water? (Q155) a. It will shift toward Lake Okeechobee. b. It will eventually dry up and disappear. c. It will shift to be closer to Fort Myers. d. It will be replenished by recharge.
b. It will eventually dry up and disappear.
The porosity of vesicular basalt is about 25%; however, when water is poured on it, the water does not come out the other side. How is this possible? a. The vesicles in basalt are filled with sediments and thus cannot hold water. b. The vesicles in basalt are not connected, so it has no permeability. c. The minerals in the basalt react chemically with the water to produce gases. d. Vesicular basalt is similar to a sponge and will soak up all the water.
b. The vesicles in basalt are not connected, so it has no permeability.
What will eventually happen to the headlands in the figure below? a. They will join as the bays in between fill with sediment. b. They will become a straight line of cliffs as rock is eroded away. c. They will remain as they are for millions of years. d. The sea will submerge them as the terrace is uplifted.
b. They will become a straight line of cliffs as rock is eroded away.
Which of the following situations is the most likely candidate for the occurrence of mass movements? a. a flat, desert area with little vegetation b. a gentle slope along the coastline that is across a highway from the surf zone c. gently sloping hills in the tropics d. a mountain terrain in a humid environment
b. a gentle slope along the coastline that is across a highway from the surf zone
Which of the following situations would be the least susceptible to slope failure? a. a gently sloping hill in a dry desert region b. a gently sloping hill with a river at the bottom of the hill c. a steeply sloping hill overlooking the ocean d. a steeply sloping hill in a dry desert region
b. a gently sloping hill with a river at the bottom of the hill
You are drilling a water well when you hit water at a much shallower level than you expected. What have you likely found? a. an artesian aquifer b. a perched aquifer c. a natural spring d. an aquiclude
b. a perched aquifer
If an intrusive igneous rock is unfractured, it serves as a(n) ________ in local hydrogeology. a. aquifer b. aquitard c. artesian well d. perched aquifer
b. aquitard
The form and topography (depth profile) of the ocean floor is termed ________. a. orogeny b. bathymetry c. sonar d. marine geology
b. bathymetry
Swamps and marshes are examples of __________. a. estuaries b. coastal wetlands c. fjords d. swashes
b. coastal wetlands
Coastal region deserts are most likely near ocean currents that are ________. a. warm b. cold c. flowing east d. flowing west
b. cold
Thermohaline circulation carries ________ water from the poles to the equator, where the water becomes ________. a. warm; cold b. cold; warm c. low density; more dense d. low density; more salty
b. cold; warm
Which of the following types of mass movement takes place most gradually? a. slump b. creep c. rock slide d. mudflow
b. creep
The outer edge of a meander, where material is being eroded, is a(n) ________. a. meander neck b. cut bank c. point bar d. abandoned meander
b. cut bank
The process of lowering the land surface by wind erosion is known as ________. a. saltation b. deflation c. desertification d. escarpment
b. deflation
Which of the following human activities will lead to desertification? a. addition of fertilizer to soil b. diversion of water from an area c. over-irrigating an area d. building a city in an area
b. diversion of water from an area
Rip currents ________ the shoreline. a. flow directly toward b. flow directly away from c. flow parallel to d. are not affected by
b. flow parallel to
A periodic explosive eruption of steam and water from within the ground up through the surface is termed a(n) ________. a. artesian well b. geyser c. spring d. recharge area
b. geyser
The immediate cause of incidents of mass movement is ________. a. electromagnetic attraction b. gravity c. magnetism d. friction
b. gravity
During heavy rainstorms, rates of physical weathering and erosion are ________. a. greater in humid climates than in deserts because dry desert soils soak up all the available moisture b. greater in deserts than in humid climates because soil tends to be more easily eroded in deserts than in humid regions c. greater in humid climates than in deserts because vegetation tends to break up the soil d. about equally fast in both deserts and humid climates
b. greater in deserts than in humid climates because soil tends to be more easily
Because of wave refraction, erosion along an irregular coastline is ________. a. even along the length of the coast b. greatest along headlands c. greatest in bays d. the same as it would be along a regular coastline
b. greatest along headlands
Ephemeral streams ________. a. consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment b. have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) d. are those that divert flow from streams they have intersected through stream erosion
b. have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year
Slumps typically arrive ________ at the bottom of a slope. a. vertically stacked b. intact c. flattened d. jumbled
b. intact
The majority of caves are formed by the dissolution of bedrock ________. a. above the water table b. just below the water table c. more than 10 m below the water table d. more than 10 m above the water table
b. just below the water table
Topography dominated by depressions formed by the collapse of caves is termed a ________. a. valley and ridge province b. karst landscape c. horst and graben landscape d. speleothem formation
b. karst landscape
Well-rounded sand has an angle of repose __________ that of irregularly shaped gravel. a. greater than b. less than c. equal to d. incomparable to
b. less than
The Dust Bowl event in 1933 resulted from which natural event? a. overpopulation b. long-term drought c. global climate change d. change in the course of rivers
b. long-term drought
Pumping vast quantities of water locally ________. a. raises the local water table b. lowers the local water table, forming a cone-shaped depression c. lowers the local water table, forming a cylindrical depression d. does not affect the water table
b. lowers the local water table, forming a cone-shaped depression
Within a meander, where is sediment most likely to be deposited? a. on the outer banks of the meander b. on the inner banks of the meander c. uniformly to either side of the meander d. directly in the middle of the meander
b. on the inner banks of the meander
Along a uniform and steep slope of relatively weak substrate, a ________ drainage network is expected. a. dendritic b. parallel c. rectangular d. trellis
b. parallel
Which type of drainage network is associated with badlands topography? a. dendritic b. parallel c. rectangular d. trellis
b. parallel
Along a large cone-shaped volcano, a ________ drainage network is expected. a. dendritic c. rectangular b. radial d. trellis
b. radial
Native Americans produced petroglyphs by etching into ________. a. rocks that had been subjected to case hardening b. rocks that had been coated with desert varnish c. dark basalts d. obsidian
b. rocks that had been coated with desert varnish
In the figure below, the sand grains are being transported by ________. (Q178) a. suspension b. saltation c. surface creep d. deflation
b. saltation
Which of the following features is characteristic of a rocky coast? a. sand spits b. sea stacks c. lagoons d. accretionary prisms
b. sea stacks
The Florida coast is an example of a(n): ________. a. emergent coast b. submergent coast c. continental slope d. abyssal plain
b. submergent coast
The most expansive hot deserts on the Earth occur in the ________. a. tropics, at or near the equator b. subtropics, between 20° and 30° north or south of the equator c. temperate zone, between 30° and 50° north or south of the equator d. latitudes higher than 50° north or south of the equator
b. subtropics, between 20° and 30° north or south of the equator
Most of the erosion in desert environments is caused by ________. a. wind b. surface water c. ground water d. salt wedging
b. surface water
Over time, alluvial fans may merge to form a ________. a. wadi b. talus apron c. playa d. bajada
b. talus apron
Liquefaction is most likely to occur in which type of area? a. hills in Florida b. the coast of California c. the coast of Texas d. a desert in California
b. the coast of California
Hot groundwater is mineralized because a. minerals cannot precipitate in hot water. b. the hot water dissolves minerals. c. cold water cannot dissolve minerals. d. hot water flows deeper in the Earth.
b. the hot water dissolves minerals.
The Coriolis effect causes the apparent deflection of currents as a result of a. changes in wind speed. b. the rotation of the Earth. c. changes in ocean currents. d. the location of the Moon.
b. the rotation of the Earth.
Compared with the continental lithosphere, the oceanic lithosphere is ________. a. thicker b. thinner c. approximately the same thickness d. exactly five times thinner
b. thinner
How can you use a landslide hazard map to help buy a piece of property? a. to determine if there are large rivers running by the property b. to determine if the property is in a high-risk zone for landslides c. to determine if the property is near a high-risk flood zone d. to determine if the property has been exposed to fires recently
b. to determine if the property is in a high-risk zone for landslides
The primary stream fed by tributaries within a dendritic drainage network is termed a ________ stream. a. lead b. trunk c. taproot d. pirate
b. trunk
A(n) ________ aquifer is more likely to be contaminated than a(n) ________ aquifer. a. confined; unconfined b. unconfined; confined c. artesian; confined d. artesian; unconfined
b. unconfined; confined
Which of the following scenarios is most likely to result in an emergent coast? a. global sea level rise b. uplift associated with active margin tectonics c. subsidence of the shoreline caused by near-shore removal of groundwater d. the formation of a near-shore coral reef
b. uplift associated with active margin tectonics
The deserts found in the western United States are primarily the result of being located ________. a. in the subtropics b. within the rain shadow of one or more mountain ranges c. near the center of a large continent d. next to a cold ocean current
b. within the rain shadow of one or more mountain ranges
If a 50-year flood occurs on the Mississippi River this year, what is the probability that a flood of the same magnitude will occur in the following year? a. zero b. 1% c. 2% d. 50%
c. 2%
Approximately what percentage of the Earth's surface is covered with ocean water? a. 30% b. 50% c. 70% d. 85%
c. 70%
What is an ephemeral stream? a. A stream that flows perennially through the desert supporting lush vegetation. b. A stream that flows perennially through the desert but supports little to no vegetation because of its high mineral content. c. A desert stream that contains water only immediately following a rain event. d. A steep-walled canyon that was formed by wind erosion.
c. A desert stream that contains water only immediately following a rain event.
Which statement about desert life is correct? a. Mammals, unlike reptiles and birds, very rarely inhabit deserts. b. Animal life in the desert is limited to herbivores only. c. Animals that live in the desert must be able to retain water and survive extreme temperatures. d. Animals that live in the desert are only active at night when it is cooler.
c. Animals that live in the desert must be able to retain water and survive extreme temperatures.
For several generations, your family has lived on a farm with a water well. There has never been a problem with the water supply in the past; however, your well has now gone dry. There are several small farms nearby and a large, growing city 50 miles to the north. What can you conclude is the most likely reason for your well to become dry? a. The farmers nearby have suddenly started using much more water than they used to. b. The growth of minerals in pore spaces in the aquifer rock has decreased its permeability. c. As the city grew larger, more wells were drilled and water was overpumped, thus lowering the water table. d. The water has stopped infiltrating into the ground because of the overuse of pesticides.
c. As the city grew larger, more wells were drilled and water was overpumped, thus lowering the water table.
In the figure below, which letters represent the wave height and wavelength? (Q95) a. B and E b. E and D c. C and E d. B and C
c. C and E
________ can occur where undercutting by waves removes support from beneath cliff overhangs. a. Liquefaction b. Lahars c. Rock falls d. Mudslides
c. Rock falls
Why do submarine slumps pose a hazard to people living in coastal areas? a. Submarine slumps can trigger other mass movements on land. b. Submarine slumps can induce liquefaction of the nearby land surface. c. Submarine slumps can trigger tsunamis. d. Submarine slumps can trigger earthquakes.
c. Submarine slumps can trigger tsunamis.
You have a choice to drill your water well into a shallow unconfined aquifer or a deeper artesian aquifer. Drilling deeper will cost more money; nevertheless, you chose to drill into the artesian aquifer. Why? a. The artesian aquifer will have a higher permeability. b. The artesian aquifer will not be subject to overpumping. c. The artesian aquifer will flow on its own, without a pump. d. The artesian aquifer will contain more water for your use.
c. The artesian aquifer will flow on its own, without a pump.
When fine-grained sediment is blown away as shown in the figure below, the coarser sediment left behind is known as ________. a. a sabkha b. ventifacts c. a lag deposit d. talus
c. a lag deposit
Which of the following situations would be the most susceptible to slope failure? a. a large mansion built on top of a gentle sloping hill covered with vegetation b. a hotel built on a flat surface with a large river flowing next to the hotel c. a large resort built on top of a cliff directly above the ocean d. a small house built on top of a steep slope in a desert region
c. a large resort built on top of a cliff directly above the ocean
You are running a sonar survey to map the bathymetry of an ocean basin. Using the following continuous sonar data giving the depth of the seafloor in meters, what feature have you just discovered? (Q86) a. an abyssal plain b. a deep trench c. a mid-ocean ridge d. a continental shelf
c. a mid-ocean ridge
Which type of coastline would most likely contain estuaries or fjords? a. a subductive coastline b. an emergent coastline c. a submergent coastline d. a divergent coastline
c. a submergent coastline
Deserts represent ________ of the Earth's land surface. a. less than 5% b. about 10% c. about 25% d. more than 50%
c. about 25%
A coast that grows seaward as a result of regular sedimentation is a(n) __________ a. active continental margin. b. erosional coast. c. accretionary coast. d. coastal plain.
c. accretionary coast.
An apron-shaped pile of alluvium that forms at the mouth of a canyon is known as a(n) ________. a. playa b. sabkha c. alluvial fan d. inselberg
c. alluvial fan
Urbanization of a watershed is most likely to result in __________. a. increased infiltration of rainwater b. a longer lag time between storms and the onset of flooding c. an increase in the volume of water entering streams after rainfall d. a decrease in the likelihood of flash flooding
c. an increase in the volume of water entering streams after rainfall
The definition of a desert depends on a region's ________. a. latitude b. elevation c. aridity d. temperature
c. aridity
Major oceanic surface currents travel ________. a. parallel to the prevailing wind direction in a region b. in direct opposition to prevailing winds as a result of the Coriolis effect c. at an angle to prevailing winds as a result of the Coriolis effect d. at an angle to prevailing winds as a result of the Doppler effect
c. at an angle to prevailing winds as a result of the Coriolis effect
Calcrete (caliche) forms in a desert climate through the dissolution and the re-precipitation of ________ during and after rainstorms. a. manganese oxide b. quartz c. calcite d. iron oxide
c. calcite
22. Moisture among sediment grains ________. a. always increases the likelihood of mass wasting b. always decreases the likelihood of mass wasting c. can promote stability if present in small amounts d. can promote stability if the grains are saturated
c. can promote stability if present in small amounts
Which of the following is NOT true? A 100-year flood ________. a. has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year b. is more destructive than a 50-year flood c. cannot occur in successive years d. is based on the average recurrence interval of past floods for a particular stream
c. cannot occur in successive years
A(n) __________ is a vegetated, flat-lying stretch of coast that floods at high tide, becomes particularly exposed at low tide, and does not feel the impact of strong waves. a. marine terrace b. coral reef c. coastal wetland d. estuary
c. coastal wetland
A desert may form along a coastline because a ________. a. warm current warms and dries the air b. warm current forces hot air inland c. cold current cools and dries the air d. cold current forces hot air inland
c. cold current cools and dries the air
Geologists distinguish among different types of mass wasting based on factors such as the ________ of the moving material and the rate of movement. a. weight b. color c. composition d. name
c. composition
The shallowest portions of an ocean found along the margins of continents are the ________. a. abyssal plains b. continental rises c. continental shelves d. continental slopes
c. continental shelves
Which portion of the seafloor is most steeply sloped? a. abyssal plains b. continental shelves c. continental slopes d. continental rises
c. continental slopes
When the sea level rises, an ocean may invade a river valley, producing a nearshore body of water of mixed and variable salinity termed a(n) ________. a. atoll b. lagoon c. estuary d. jetty
c. estuary
Which of the following increases the risk of mass movement? a. adding a small amount of moisture to loose, dry sediment b. waves breaking before they reach sea cliffs c. flooding the sediment with water to the point of saturation d. reducing the grade of the slope
c. flooding the sediment with water to the point of saturation
Longshore currents ________ the shoreline. a. flow directly toward b. flow directly away from c. flow parallel to d. are not affected by
c. flow parallel to
As shown in the figure below, ________ may form parallel to slope surfaces in granite and become a failure surface. (Q19) a. bedding planes b. exfoliation joints c. foliation planes d. uplift planes
c. foliation planes
The slope of a stream surface measured between two points along its course is the ________. a. base level b. floodplain c. gradient d. thalweg
c. gradient
As a rule, groundwater always flows from areas of ________. a. greater land elevation to those of lesser land elevation b. lesser land elevation to those of greater land elevation c. greater hydraulic head to those of lesser hydraulic head d. lower hydraulic head to those of greater hydraulic head
c. greater hydraulic head to those of lesser hydraulic head
The majority of liquid freshwater within the Earth exists in ________. a. lakes b. rivers and streams c. groundwater d. atmospheric clouds
c. groundwater
Meandering streams ________. a. consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment b. have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) d. are those that divert flow from streams they have intersected through stream erosion
c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy)
High tide during a full moon will be ________. a. the same as normal b. lower than normal c. higher than normal d. reversed relative to normal
c. higher than normal
A coral reef would MOST likely be found a. in an expansive, warm-water tropical tidal flat. b. in clear, shallow waters at high latitudes. c. in the shallow waters surrounding a tropical volcanic island. d. along the coasts of active margins.
c. in the shallow waters surrounding a tropical volcanic island.
Along beaches, groins have ________. a. solved the problem of beach drift b. increased erosion rates immediately up-current from the groin c. increased erosion rates immediately down-current from the groin d. increased depositional rates immediately down-current from the groin
c. increased erosion rates immediately down-current from the groin
The sea surface salinity is ________ at the mouth of the Amazon River and ________ in the Dead Sea. a. low; low b. high; low c. low; high d. high; high
c. low; high
If a material is porous, it ________. a. will be permeable as well b. will be impermeable c. may be permeable or impermeable d. would not be permeable or impermeable
c. may be permeable or impermeable
The elevation of the water table ________. a. is a constant for a given area so long as the topography remains the same b. may rise during times of drought and sink during rainy periods c. may rise during rainy periods and sink during droughts d. is completely unpredictable
c. may rise during rainy periods and sink during droughts
The Gobi in Mongolia is a desert primarily because it is located ________. a. in the subtropics b. in a polar region c. near the center of a large continent d. next to a cold ocean current
c. near the center of a large continent
Runoff is NOT commonly derived from ________. a. sheetwash b. rainfall or snowfall c. ocean currents d. groundwater springs
c. ocean currents
A meander that is cut off to become completely isolated from the main channel but which retains water is a(n) ________. a. meander neck b. cut bank c. oxbow lake d. thalweg
c. oxbow lake
Material through which water readily flows is termed ________. a. fluent b. porous c. permeable d. fluid
c. permeable
The inner edge of a meander, where sediment is deposited, is a(n) ________. a. meander neck b. cut bank c. point bar d. abandoned meander
c. point bar
In a region with prominent orthogonal sets of joints, a ________ drainage network is expected. a. dendritic b. radial c. rectangular d. trellis
c. rectangular
The downslope movement of which of the following materials does NOT constitute a mass wasting event? a. water b. snow c. ice d. rock
c. rock
A salt-encrusted muddy tidal flat is known as a ________. a. wadi b. pediment c. sabkha d. bajada
c. sabkha
Evaporite deposits in coastal, subtropical regions derived from the evaporation of seawater stranded above high tide are termed ________. a. mirages b. caliches c. sabkhas d. yardangs
c. sabkhas
A ________ may form at the head of a slump. a. toe b. failure surface c. scarp d. mass
c. scarp
Vegetation in the desert consists of ________. a. cacti only b. extensive grasslands with water-seeking deep roots c. scattered succulents, such as cacti, with adaptations to obtain and retain as much water as they can d. forests of tall, broad-leafed trees
c. scattered succulents, such as cacti, with adaptations to obtain and retain as much water as they can
The dissolution of rock produces ________. a. primary porosity b. primary permeability c. secondary porosity d. a reduction in primary porosity
c. secondary porosity
Any place where groundwater naturally flows out of the Earth's surface is termed a(n) ________. a. artesian well b. geyser c. spring d. recharge area
c. spring
Which of the following is NOT an adaptation of plants that helps them survive in deserts? a. a thick waxy outer coating and needlelike leaves b. shallow, expansive root systems that can uptake infiltrated water over a broad area c. succulence (tissues that retain moisture for a long period of time) d. thin-skinned seeds that can quickly germinate when it rains
c. succulence (tissues that retain moisture for a long period of time)
Porosity is best described by which of the following? a. the hardness of a rock or sediment b. the chemistry of a fluid in a rock or sediment c. the amount of open space in a rock or sediment d. the ability of fluids to pass through a substance (rock or sediment)
c. the amount of open space in a rock or sediment
Hot springs can be formed by the heating of groundwater by magma or by ________. a. decompression heating b. infrared heating by the Sun c. the geothermal gradient d. heating by the core
c. the geothermal gradient
A person is digging a hole, when the hole suddenly starts to fill with water. What have they found? a. the capillary zone b. the vadose zone c. the water table d. an aquitard
c. the water table
Slope failures are most likely to occur in ________ conditions. a. dry, mountainous b. dry, flat c. wet, mountainous d. wet, flat
c. wet, mountainous
The shape of a delta is primarily determined by ________. a. the shape of the river channel near the mouth b. the average grain size of the suspended and bed loads c. whether river currents or ocean currents are locally predominant d. the type of rock that is weathering at the outcrop near the headwaters of the river
c. whether river currents or ocean currents are locally predominant
Which river has the greatest discharge of any stream on the Earth? a. Nile b. Mississippi c. Congo d. Amazon
d. Amazon
Identify the toe of the slump in the image below. (Q14) a. A b. B c. C d. D
d. D (?)
In many areas with karst terrain, people use sinkholes as places to dump garbage. What effect might this practice have on the groundwater supply? a. None; sinkholes are not connected to groundwater sources. b. It clogs the sinkholes so that water cannot percolate into the groundwater. c. It could contaminate the groundwater in unconfined aquifers only. d. It could contaminate the groundwater in any or all aquifers in the area.
d. It could contaminate the groundwater in any or all aquifers in the area.
Which of the following is true of beach nourishment as a solution to coastal erosion? a. It is a permanent solution that will protect an erosional beach. b. The flux of sediment from beach nourishment will change a beach from erosional to accretionary. c. It is a temporary, but inexpensive, solution to coastal erosion. d. It is costly and may only provide a temporary solution.
d. It is costly and may only provide a temporary solution.
You have a choice to drill your water well into a shallower unconfined aquifer or a deeper confined aquifer. Drilling deeper will cost more money; however, you choose to drill into the confined aquifer. Why? a. The confined aquifer will most likely have a higher water quality. b. The confined aquifer will most likely have a higher permeability. c. The confined aquifer will not be subject to overpumping. d. The confined aquifer will contain more water.
d. The confined aquifer will contain more water.
You are a geologist trying to determine if the slope your client's house sits on is stable. You determine that the angle of repose of the hillside is 35°. Which of the following situations would be considered stable? a. The slope is composed of water-saturated sand. b. The slope is composed of dry sand. c. The slope is composed of very well-rounded sand. d. The slope is composed of dry gravel.
d. The slope is composed of dry gravel.
Why does an artesian well flow without pumping? a. The water table is at the surface in an artesian aquifer. b. The hydraulic head is very low in the aquifer. c. The water in an unconfined aquifer is pressurized. d. The water in a confined aquifer is pressurized.
d. The water in a confined aquifer is pressurized.
Which of the following factors decreases the risk of mass movement? a. nearby earthquakes b. excavation into the base of a hill c. adding weight to the top of a hill d. adding vegetation to the side of a hill
d. adding vegetation to the side of a hill
Conversion of productive land to desert is known as ________. a. deflation b. saltation c. degradation d. desertification
d. desertification
Running water dissolves soluble minerals. This material is most likely to be transported by a stream as _________. a. suspended load b. dissolved load c. bedload d. discharge
d. discharge (?)
A coastline characterized by steep-sided cliffs and associated with an active margin is likely to be __________. a. accretionary b. submergent c. passive d. emergent
d. emergent
Pirate streams ________. a. consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment b. have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year c. have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) d. form when headward erosion causes one stream to intersect another
d. form when headward erosion causes one stream to intersect another
Mass movements are driven by __________. a. the addition of moisture b. friction c. cohesion d. gravity
d. gravity
The water table surface mimics the topography in an area because ________. a. hydraulic head forces it to stay close to the surface b. the permeability is lowest in hilly areas c. groundwater cannot penetrate below aquitards d. groundwater flow rates are so low
d. groundwater flow rates are so low
The major surface currents on Earth that display a circle-like path and follow the ocean basin margins are known as __________. a. eddies b. lochs c. pools d. gyres
d. gyers
The region below a streambed where groundwater flows in the same direction as the stream but at a slower rate is termed the ________ zone. a. low flow b. vadose c. water table d. hyporheic
d. hyporheic
Rates of groundwater flow are ________ than stream flow because the water ________. a. higher; can flow through large caverns b. higher; does not have any obstacles to overcome c. lower; contains dissolved ions that slow it down d. lower; must make its way through tiny pore spaces
d. lower; must make its way through tiny pore spaces
Very hot air just above the ground creates a wavering pool of light on the ground known as a(n) ________. a. sabkha b. wadi c. arroyo d. mirage
d. mirage
Which of the following types of mass movement is least coherent (most fluid-like)? a. slump b. creep c. rock slide d. mudflow
d. mudflow
If a material is highly permeable, it ________. a. must be porous b. cannot be porous c. must be fractured d. must either have substantial porosity or be fractured
d. must either have substantial porosity or be fractured
At the equatorial ocean basins, sea surface temperatures may reach 25°C or greater. What is the range of temperatures for the seafloor, approximately 4-5 km below? a. slightly warmer (33°C) b. about room temperature (25°C) c. cool (10°C-15°C) d. near freezing (1°C-2°C)
d. near freezing (1°C-2°C)
The Atacama Desert in Chile is a desert primarily because it is located ________. a. in the subtropics b. near the South Pole c. near the center of a large continent d. next to a cold ocean current
d. next to a cold ocean current
The rate of groundwater flow per unit area through a body of rock or sediment depends ________. a. only on the slope of the local water table b. only on the porosity of the rock or sediment c. on the slope of the water table and the porosity of the rock or sediment d. on the slope of the water table and the permeability of the rock or sediment
d. on the slope of the water table and the permeability of the rock or sediment
Land subsidence is likely when ________. a. groundwater recharge occurs b. the calcium and magnesium content of groundwater increases c. the water table raises d. pumping lowers the water table
d. pumping lowers the water table
Which of the following consist(s) of large boulders placed at the base of coastal slopes? a. rock dams b. rock sheds c. riprap d. retaining walls
d. retaining walls
Notice the newly constructed seawall in the illustration below. The most likely outcome of its construction is that the seawall will __________. a. permanently protect the home from beach erosion b. increase sediment production on the beach, decreasing the rate of erosion c. deter biological activity that might compromise the integrity of the cliff d. temporarily protect the cliff from beach erosion
d. temporarily protect the cliff from beach erosion
The deepest part of a curved stream channel, where the flow is fastest, is called the ________. a. base level b. point bar c. stream gradient d. thalweg
d. thalweg
The principal difference between a lahar and a mudflow is ________. a. the shape of the path taken by the moving mass b. the grain size of the moving mass c. that the lahar contains abundant water, whereas the mudflow is dry d. that the lahar contains pyroclastic debris from a volcanic eruption
d. that the lahar contains pyroclastic debris from a volcanic eruption
Which of the following scenarios is more likely to cause a flash flood than a slow-onset flood? a. the melting of snowpack in the spring time, coupled with rain b. sustained rains during a distinct wet season c. the failure of a stream channel's levees d. the sustained presence of a storm over a region
d. the sustained presence of a storm over a region
The geometry of sand dunes is NOT strongly influenced by the ________. a. strength of the wind b. consistency of wind direction c. abundance of sand d. timing of the monsoon season
d. timing of the monsoon season
In a region characterized by a parallel series of ridges and valleys, a ________ drainage network is expected. a. dendritic b. radial c. rectangular d. trellis
d. trellis
Rock or sediment between the water table and the land surface represents a(n) ________. a. aquitard b. confined aquifer c. unconfined aquifer d. unsaturated zone
d. unsaturated zone
