GEO 202 Final

A planet in another part of the galaxy is stable with regard to temperature (the temperature on the planet is neither rising nor falling). The planet receives an average insolation (averaged over the surface of the planet) of 500 W/m2. The planet has an albedo of 40%. The planet radiates how much energy back to space, on average? A. 300 W/m2 B. 40 W/m2 C. 200 W/m2 D. 500 W/m2

A. 300 W/m2

The Southern Alps in New Zealand, around the Alpine Fault, is an example of A. A young landscape where uplift is faster than erosion. B. A moderately old landscape where uplift is slower than erosion. C. A very old landscape where erosion is not happening very quickly - that is why the mountains are there. D. A moderately old landscape where there is a lot of uplift and no erosion.

A. A young landscape where uplift is faster than erosion.

Which of the following is true regarding anthropogenic heat production in cities? A. It can contribute 250 percent more heat energy in winter than is contributed by insolation. B. It contributes little heat energy relative to that arriving from insolation. C. It is too small to be considered a relevant part of the energy budget. D. The production of this heat energy contributes very little to air pollution.

A. It can contribute 250 percent more heat energy in winter than is contributed by insolation.

A common crescent-shaped dune with horns pointed downwind (the dune itself points upwind) is called a A. barchan dune B. longitudinal dune C. parabolic dune D. transverse dune

A. barchan dune

Milankovitch cycles refer to A. changes in Earth-Sun relationships, namely the Earth's orbit around the sun, the Earth's axial rotation, and the Earth's axial tilt. B. cyclical changes in solar irradiance caused by increases and decreases in sunspot activity. C. increases and decreases in atmospheric gases and aerosols, primarily caused by natural activity such as volcanic activity and changes in net primary productivity. D. tectonic changes in continental position and topographic changes from orogeny, erosion, and mass wasting.

A. changes in Earth-Sun relationships, namely the Earth's orbit around the sun, the Earth's axial rotation, and the Earth's axial tilt.

The intertropical convergence zone is characterized by A. convergence and uplift of warm surface air B. convergence and subsidence of cold surface air C. divergence and uplift of warm surface air D. divergence and subsidence of cold surface air

A. convergence and uplift of warm surface air

If the surface of the earth were to suddenly turn white, the temperature of the planet would ___________ because ___________ insolation would be absorbed. A. decrease; less B. decrease; more C. increase; less D. increase; more

A. decrease; less

Other than ice sheets and glaciers, the largest repository of fresh water is located in A. groundwater B. rivers and streams C. soil moisture storage D. lakes and saline seas

A. groundwater

A braided stream typically A. has a high sediment load B. stable discharge C. has stable banks D. all of the above

A. has a high sediment load

Which of the following is correctly matched? A. insolation = shortwave radiation = UV, visible, and near infrared B. insolation = longwave radiation = thermal infrared radiation C. terrestrial radiation = shortwave radiation = UV, visible, and near infrared D. terrestrial radiation = shortwave radiation = thermal infrared radiation

A. insolation = shortwave radiation = UV, visible, and near infrared

Significant chemical weathering in limestone over hundreds of thousands of years may generate A. karst topography B. mountains such as the Sierra Nevada, California C. desert features such as those in SW Utah D. diamonds, the hardest mineral, due to the removal of quartz and other more quickly weathering materials

A. karst topography

Southern Indiana has many sinkholes, caves, and streams that disappear into the ground. This area is a good example of A. karst topography B. mass movement C. physical weathering D, hydration and oxidation

A. karst topography

A mudflow associated with volcanic events is known called a _________. A. lahar B. regolith C. talus slope D. rock fall E. lanai

A. lahar

On the Mercator projection, areas at high latitudes appear ______ A. larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator. B. the same size as areas of the same size located nearer to the equator C. smaller than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator. D. larger than areas of the same size located at the pole.

A. larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator.

Legumes are essential components of the __________. A. nitrogen cycle B. oxygen cycle C. aquatic food web D. carbon cycle

A. nitrogen cycle

Earth's climate changes A. over all time scales from decades to centuries to millions of years B. only due to human causes such as carbon dioxide C. primarily over time periods of decades, but is very stable (and nearly constant) over millions of years D. are driven mostly by changes in the solar wind

A. over all time scales from decades to centuries to millions of years

The two most important parameters in an aquifer are A. porosity and permeability B. porosity and compressibility C. permeability and viscosity D. porosity and viscosity

A. porosity and permeability

Which of the following are correctly matched? A. puffy or globular clouds - cumulus B. puffy or globular clouds - cirrus C. flat or layered clouds - cumulus D. towering clouds with large vertical extent and a flat top - nimbostratus

A. puffy or globular clouds - cumulus

Pluvial lakes formed in the ______ as a result of ______ A. southwester US; a wetter climate and/or a climate characterized by lower evaporation rates B. southwestern US; melting glaciers C. northeastern US; a wetter climate and/or a climate characterized by lower evaporation rates D. northeastern US; melting glaciers

A. southwester US; a wetter climate and/or a climate characterized by lower evaporation rates

As we burn fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide, the temperature of our planet will increase. When the Arctic warms, permafrost will melt. As permafrost melts, peat (high-organic soil) will oxidize to release carbon dioxide and water. The increased carbon dioxide will warm the planet more. If this happens rapidly and causes a sudden rise in temperature, a(n) _________ has been crossed and as the temperature rises the planet is in a state of ______________. A. threshold; disequilibrium B. threshold; equilibrium C. input level; equilibrium D. input level; disequilibrium

A. threshold; disequilibrium

Which two gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect because of their ability to absorb infrared radiation? A. water vapor and carbon dioxide B. carbon dioxide and oxygen C. ozone and dust D. nitrogen and oxygen

A. water vapor and carbon dioxide

J. Harlan Bretz's ideas about the formation of the channeled scablands of Eastern Washington A. were thought crazy and initially rejected. B. were originally proposed, in broad overview, by Lewis and Clark. C. were initially accepted but have now been rejected. D. were thought revolutionary and quickly accepted, even though Meriwether Lewis deserves significant credit for the ideas.

A. were thought crazy and initially rejected.

If Santa flew from the North Pole due south along the 100° meridian and did not correct his course, he would land A. west of the 100° meridian. B. east of the 100° meridian. C. on the 100° meridian D. on my roof.

A. west of the 100° meridian.

Select the closest answer. The per capita (i.e., per person) water consumption in the U.S. for ALL purposes (domestic, agriculture, industry, etc.) is approximately A. 150 gallons per day (570 L/day) B. 1400 gallons per day (5100 L/day) C. 600 gallons per day (2280 L/day) D. 75 gallons per day (285 L/day)

B. 1400 gallons per day (5100 L/day)

The Hideout Creek Basin has an area of approximately 60 km2. Average annual precipitation in the basin is 1.05 m (i.e., the precipitation rate), and evapotranspiration is 0.45 m (i.e., the evapotranspiration rate). Assuming there are no other inputs to the basin or outputs from the basin, and that there is no long term change in storage, the average streamflow in Hideout Creek will be approximately A. 63,000,000 m3/yr (2.00 m3/s) B. 36,000,000 m3/yr (1.14 m3/s) C. 27,000,000 m3/yr (0.86 m3/s) D. 90,000,000 m3/yr (2.85 m3/s)

B. 36,000,000 m3/yr (1.14 m3/s)

Atlantic hurricanes are more active under which conditions? A. Drought conditions in the Sahara and West Africa B. A strong La Niña C. Lower-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean D. A strong El Niño

B. A strong La Niña

Which of the following is *not* true about the global nitrogen cycle? A. Human beings fix more nitrogen than all of the terrestrial biosphere combined. B. The effect of the nitrogen cycle on global climate is extremely small. C. The oceanic biosphere is nitrogen-limited (i.e., addition of fixed nitrogen to the ocean tends to cause growth of photosynthetic organisms). D. The nitrogen cycle is closely connected to the carbon and phosphorus cycles.

B. The effect of the nitrogen cycle on global climate is extremely small.

Which of the following is not correct? A. Human beings fix more nitrogen than all of the terrestrial biosphere combined B. Legumes (peas, beans, etc.) denitrify soil due to a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their roots C. Denitrification = reaction controlled by bacteria in anoxic zones in soils and sediment D. Nitrogen fixation = reaction of atmospheric nitrogen to biologically available form E. Denitrification = reaction of fixed nitrogen to atmospheric nitrogen

B. Legumes (peas, beans, etc.) denitrify soil due to a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their roots

The composition of the lower atmosphere from highest to lowest concentrations (excluding water vapor) is A. Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon B. Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide C. Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon D. Carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, argon

B. Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide

We experience seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall) primarily because A. The Earth wobbles like a top on its axis, causing the Sun to be higher in the sky in summer and lower in winter B. The Earth is tilted on its axis, causing the Sun's energy to be distributed differently around the Earth at different times of the year C. The Earth is closer to the Sun in summer and farther from the Sun in winter D. It is cloudier in winter and sunnier in summer, so the temperatures are different in summer and winter

B. The Earth is tilted on its axis, causing the Sun's energy to be distributed differently around the Earth at different times of the year

Which of the following is true of tropical cyclones in the western Atlantic? A. They are associated with the cool, southward-flowing Kuroshio current. B. The peak months of occurrence are August to October. C. They occur in association with local monsoonal winds. D. They are generally called typhoons in this part of the world.

B. The peak months of occurrence are August to October.

Fill in the blanks: Before Euro-American settlement of the Willamette Valley (e.g., before 1800), the Willamette River near Harrisburg was an example of a(n) _________________ stream. Today, the Willamette River near Harrisburg is an example of a(n) _________________ stream. A. meandering; braided B. braided; meandering C. meandering; meandering D. braided; braided

B. braided; meandering

The construction of a dam is likely to cause ______ upstream and ______ downstream. A. erosion; erosion B. deposition; erosion C. deposition; depostion D. erosion; deposition

B. deposition; erosion

Transpiration is A. transfer of precipitation to the subsurface B. evaporation from the leaves of plants. C. movement of water from groundwater to surfaces (i.e., to streams) D. any change of water from the liquid to the gas phase

B. evaporation from the leaves of plants.

Glacial ice is A. made of metamorphic rock B. formed after a slow transformation process that may take a thousand years in Antarctica C. essentially the same as snow D. generally less dense than snow and firn

B. formed after a slow transformation process that may take a thousand years in Antarctica

Fill in the blanks. Water containing 18O is __________ than water containing 16O. Consequently, the water containing the 18O is ___________ likely to be evaporated than water containing 16O. A. heavier; more B. heavier; less C. lighter, more D. lighter, less

B. heavier; less

Hurricanes derive their energy from A. ocean currents B. latent heat from condensation of water vapor C. the difference between strong tropical sunshine and shade caused by clouds D. strong winds in the tropics driven by global circulation

B. latent heat from condensation of water vapor

Seasonal fluctuations in CO2 emissions reflect A. increased fuel use for home and building heat in winter months. B. seasonal changes in vegetation cover in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. C. geothermal activity, which is highest in the fall. D. summer melting in the tundra.

B. seasonal changes in vegetation cover in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

The last glacial maximum was A. 6,000 years ago. B. the time in the most recent past when continental glaciers covered the largest parts of North America, Europe and Asia. C. the time approximately 150 to 350 years ago when alpine glaciers advanced and were significantly larger than today (e.g., Collier Glacier on North Sister). D. 150,000 years ago

B. the time in the most recent past when continental glaciers covered the largest parts of North America, Europe and Asia.

"Earth's thermostat", discussed in class and responsible for maintaining a relatively constant temperature on Earth over geologic time, refers to A. the ozone layer B. weathering rate and associated removal of CO2 from the atmosphere C. the troposphere and hydrologic cycle D. the Pacific Ocean, which due to its huge size absorbs and releases much heat

B. weathering rate and associated removal of CO2 from the atmosphere

A globe (model of the Earth) manufactured at the scale of 1:1,000,000 would have a diameter of approximately A. 40.1 m (131 ft) B. 10 cm (4 in) C. 12.7 m (26.2 ft) D. 7.9 m (26 ft) E. 0.3 m (1 ft)

C. 12.7 m (26.2 ft)

Consider a day at Tombstone Pass (elevation approx. 1300 m [4,300 ft]) where the outside air temperature is 16 ºC (61 ºF). What would be the air temperature near Sweet Home (elevation approx 100 m [330 ft]) at that moment--assuming that the temperature changed with elevation at a normal lapse rate? Temperatures are rounded to the nearest degree. A. 10 ºC (50 ºF) B. 16 ºC (61 ºF) C. 24 ºC (75 ºF) D. 8 ºC (47 ºF) E. 22 ºC (72 ºF)

C. 24 ºC (75 ºF)

Which of the following is false regarding the subpolar low-pressure cells? A. Examples include the Aleutian and Icelandic lows. B. They develop more strongly over the ocean than over land. C. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are generally stronger in summer than in winter. D. They are associated with the polar front.

C. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are generally stronger in summer than in winter.

In an ecosystem, which of the following is true? A. Generally there is an increase in total energy at each successive trophic level B. Autotrophs absorb most of the light energy hitting the surface of the Earth. C. Moving from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels there is a conversion of chemical energy (i.e., carbohydrates) to heat energy. D. Net primary production is larger than gross primary production.

C. Moving from lower trophic levels to higher trophic levels there is a conversion of chemical energy (i.e., carbohydrates) to heat energy.

A mass of air drops in temperature but maintains a constant amount of water vapor. What happens to the relative humidity? A. There is insufficient information given to answer the question. B. Relative humidity goes up. C. Relative humidity stays the same. D. Relative humidity goes down.

C. Relative humidity stays the same.

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation (light) is NOT used in active remote sensing? Note that all of the following are types of light. A. X-rays B. Radar C. Visible light from the Sun, reflected from the Earth D. Microwave

C. Visible light from the sun, reflected from the Earth

As the discharge of a stream increases, which of the following also happens most of the time? A. Stream channels narrow, become shallower, and lose velocity B. Channel width increases but channel depth decreases C. Width, depth, and velocity all increase D. The rate of flow decreases

C. Width, depth, and velocity all increase

When a glacier retreats, sediments it leaves along its edge or in front of it are called A. a roche moutonée B. an esker C. a moraine D. a cirque E. a nunatak

C. a moraine

Complete the following sentence: A point bar is found on the inside of a river meander A. only in the northern hemisphere - due to the coriollis effect, point bars are found on the outside of river meanders in the southern hemisphere B. after floods only - during normal river flow point bars cannot be found in rivers C. because that is where water velocity is lowest and sediments are deposited D. because that area is uncovered as the river meander moves outward

C. because that is where water velocity is lowest and sediments are deposited

Limestone caves are an example of what type of weathering? A. physical B. biological C. chemical D. gravitational

C. chemical

A mass of air becomes saturated (and condensation begins) when it reaches the A. highest temperature of the day B. specific humidity of 30 g/kg C. dew-point temperature D. lowest temperature of the day

C. dew-point temperature

Choose the appropriate words to complete the following sentence. Temperate glaciers tend to be __________ moving and __________ erosive than polar glaciers. A. slower; less B. faster; less C. faster; more D. slower; more

C. faster; more

A 50-year flood A. happens at 50-year intervals (i.e., there are 50 years between each 50-year flood) B. cannot happen if dams are put in place on a river C. happens, on average, once per 50 years D. could not happen twice in 50 years E. is smaller than a 10-year flood

C. happens, on average, once per 50 years

In order to survive and thrive, a plant must ______________. A. respire more than it photosynthesizes B. photosynthesize and respire in equal amounts C. photosynthesize more than it respires D. photosynthesize during the winter and respire during the summer E. photosynthesize, but never respire

C. photosynthesize more than it respires

Climate is defined as A. the weather of a region B. the short-term condition of the atmosphere C. the long-term average of atmospheric conditions, including extremes that may occur D. both A and B

C. the long-term average of atmospheric conditions, including extremes that may occur

The hyporheic zone is A. the part of a glacier where water is in both solid (ice) and liquid form B. the zone of a stream just below a glacier - i.e., the zone of the stream lying within the sandur C. the zone below a stream defined by water leaving and re-entering the stream D. the part of a glacier (at its base) where ice melts under pressure

C. the zone below a stream defined by water leaving and re-entering the stream

When water evaporates from a surface, which of the following occurs? A. Energy is stored within the water. B. Energy is removed from the surface. C. The surface is cooled. D. All of the above occur.

D. All of the above occur.

Which of the following is true? A. The polar and the subtropical jet streams both occur near the tropopause boundary. B. Jet stream flows undulate, producing a wavy pattern when viewed from above. C. The polar jet stream can migrate as far south as Texas. D. All of these are true.

D. All of these are true.

Which of the following is not true of the Colorado River? A. the Colorado River no longer flows to the ocean in all but the wettest years. B. the amount allocated to the US and Mexico is more than the average flow. C. there are currently eight major dams on the river. D. California has never fully used its share of water E. more water is absorbed by the rocks and evaporates from reservoirs than is alloted to Mexico.

D. California has never fully used its share of water

Consider a stream. If discharge remains constant, but the channel becomes more narrow and shallow, the velocity will A. There is not enough information to say for certain B. Decrease C. Remain constant D. Increase

D. Increase

Which of the following statements is not true regarding ozone? A. An ozone "hole" appears over Antarctica during the Antarctic spring. B. Ozone absorbs UV light in the stratosphere, and is therefore helpful to humans. C. Ozone is poisonous and is therefore harmful to humans at the Earth's surface. D. Ozone is of great concern for global warming.

D. Ozone is of great concern for global warming.

Which of the following is true regarding the concentration of CO2 in the lower atmosphere? A. It has stabilized. B. The total amount being emitted worldwide is declining steadily as people and governments have come to understand the significance of carbon dioxide to global warming. C. It is responsible for ozone depletion and the ozone hole. D. Sometime in the 21st century, it will reach a level that is double what it was in 1825.

D. Sometime in the 21st century, it will reach a level that is double what it was in 1825.

IPCC is A. a technique used to extract past temperature data from ice cores (e.g., Greenland and Antarctica) B. an organic molecule responsible for a minor amount of greenhouse warming C. the Interstate Panel on Columbia Contaminants, tasked with monitoring and helping to clean up groundwater pollutants in the Columbia River basin (e.g., Hanford) D. an intergovernmental body created to assess available scientific and other information on climate change

D. an intergovernmental body created to assess available scientific and other information on climate change

Ocean currents are produced by A. the frictional drag of winds. B. the coriolis force and water density differences. C. land-sea breezes. D. both a and b are correct.

D. both a and b are correct.

The rolling hills of the Palouse of Eastern Washington formed A. by old ("paleo") ousic wind-generated deflation of unconsolidated sedimentary deposits B. by stream erosion, forming meanders, point bars, etc. C. by massive ice-age floods from Western Montana D. by windblown silt next to the retreating continental ice sheet

D. by windblown silt next to the retreating continental ice sheet

Temperatures within the troposphere A. remain about the same from the tropopause to the stratopause B. decrease with altitude due to radiation losses C. increase with altitude because of the absorption of ultraviolet radiation D. decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate

D. decrease with altitude according to the normal lapse rate

When water freezes, its density A. increases B. remains the same as in the liquid state C. sometimes increases and sometimes decreases D. decreases

D. decreases

Complete the following sentence. "As discussed in the lecture and reading, the effects of the Glacial Lake Missoula floods, originating near modern Missoula, Montana... A. resulted in a rapidly changing climate approximately 12,000 years ago." B. are less each year due to anthropogenic rises in CO2 and a retreating glacier." C. extended into Wyoming and Colorado." D. included silt deposits in the Willamette Valley and gravel and rocks in Portland."

D. included silt deposits in the Willamette Valley and gravel and rocks in Portland."

Organisms that are capable of using carbon dioxide as their sole source of carbon are called __________. A. omnivores B. consumers C. zooplankton D. producers or autotrophs E. heterotrophs

D. producers or autotrophs

When water condenses, it __________ heat energy and ________ the surrounding air. A. releases; cools B. absorbs; cools C. absorbs; heats D. releases; heats

D. releases; heats

Factors influencing the weathering process include A. the climate of an area. B. rock composition and structure. C. the amount of vegetation in an area. D. rock compostion and structure, climate, and vegetation. E. only the climate of an area and rock composition/structure.

D. rock compostion and structure, climate, and vegetation.

Mineral deposits with caves and caverns are known as A. latewood B. varves C. foraminifera D. speleothems

D. speleothems

Complete the following sentence. During an adiabatic temperature change __________ A. air is cooled by the polar ice caps B. air is heated by the absorption of ultraviolet light C. air always gets cooler D. the temperature rises or falls as air pressure changes

D. the temperature rises or falls as air pressure changes

You would expect only slight physical and chemical weathering under natural conditions of A. low mean annual rainfall and freezing temperatures B. moderate rainfall and warm temperatures (no freezing) C. high precipitation and frequent freezing temperatures D. warm temperatures (no freezing) and very low precipitation

D. warm temperatures (no freezing) and very low precipitation

Earth's circumference is approximately A. about 20,000 km (12,000 mi) B. about 10,000 km (6000 mi) C. 30,000 km (18,000 mi) D. 50,000 km (30,000 mi) E. 40,000 km (24,000 mi)

E. 40,000 km (24,000 mi)

A conically-shaped mountain, such as a volcanic peak, generally produces __________ drainage patterns. A. annular B. dendritic C. trellis D. circular E. radial

E. radial