GEOG 101 Final
Of the total energy intercepted at Earth's surface and available for work, only about ________ is actually fixed by photosynthesis. - 5% - 20% - 10% - 1% - 15%
1%
Currently, approximately ________ of cultivated acreage in the United States and Canada is planted for animal consumption - 30% - 5% - 50% - 15% - 65%
50%
Ice cores provide a climate record for the past ________ years. - 2 million - 70 million - 800,000 - 10 million - 50,000
800,000
Ice cores provide a climate record for the past ________ years. - 50,000 - 2 million - 800,000 - 10 million - 70 million
800,000
The energy released by a magnitude 8 quake on the Richter scale is how many times greater than that of a magnitude 6 quake? - 3.15 - 992 - 31.5 - 31,255 - 63
992
The horizon that is commonly called topsoil is the ________ horizon. - C - E - O - B - A
A
Though many islands of the Indonesian archipelago are relative close to Australia, the faunal assemblages of these Indonesian islands are quite different from those on Australia. What accounts for the difference? - Though once connected by a land bridge during the Last Glacial Maximum, rising sea levels with the glacial retreat led to different speciation events in the two realms. - These Indonesian islands experienced a major extinction that wiped out its marsupials and other Australian fauna. - Indonesia is an archipelago whereas Australia is a continent. As such, one would not expect them to have the same faunal assemblages. - A deep ocean trench separates the Indo-Malay and Australasian realm inhibiting dispersal. - The environments of Australia and Indonesia are completely different, despite their close proximity.
A deep ocean trench separates the Indo-Malay and Australasian realm inhibiting dispersal.
Where would one find the highest species richness? - Amazonia - Europe - the Arctic - the Sahel - North America
Amazonia
Where would one find the highest species richness? - the Arctic - the Sahel - North America - Europe - Amazonia
Amazonia
Which biome occurs at high elevations above the tree line, even at lower latitudes? - Arctic and alpine tundra - midlatitude grassland - temperate rain forest - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - boreal and montane forest
Arctic and alpine tundra
Which biome occurs at high elevations above the tree line, even at lower latitudes? - boreal and montane forest - temperate rain forest - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - Arctic and alpine tundra - midlatitude grassland
Arctic and alpine tundra
________ are typical desert biome soils. - Entisols - Alfisols - Mollisols - Aridisols - Spodosols
Aridisols
Which of the following cities has a climate most similar to Los Angeles' climate? - Shanghai, China - Athens, Greece - Paris, France - Cairo, Egypt
Athens, Greece
Which of the following US Cities has a Humid Subtropical (moist all year) Climate? - Seattle, Washington - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Boston, Massachusetts - Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Which of the following best describes the trend in Antarctic and Greenland ice loss since 2002? - Both Greenland and Antarctica have experienced glacial ice loss, though Greenland has experienced it to a greater degree. - Though Antarctica has lost glacial ice, Greenland has been steadily gaining ice. - Both Greenland and Antarctica have seen a net gain in glacial ice over the past decade and a half. - Though Greenland has lost glacial ice, Antarctica has been steadily gaining ice. - Both Greenland and Antarctica have experienced glacial ice loss, though Antarctica has experienced it to a greater degree.
Both Greenland and Antarctica have experienced glacial ice loss, though Greenland has experienced it to a greater degree.
Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of the world's oceans? - Neither the 16O or 18O isotopes are common in water, so when either is present, it shows a disequilibrium in normal climatic conditions. - The higher the ratio of oceanic 16O to 18O, the colder the temperatures because the 18O will have been mostly evaporated from ocean waters. - The 16O/18O ratio is low during colder temperatures because temperatures are too low for evaporation to be effective and both isotopes remain in the ocean. - Because 18O evaporates more readily than 16O, the oceans have a higher relative abundance of 16O during warm periods and a more balanced ratio when evaporation is less. - During periods of colder temperature 16O is locked up in snow and ice and the oceans have a higher preponderance of 18O; during warmer periods the isotope ratio of 16O to 18Ois higher.
During periods of colder temperature 16O is locked up in snow and ice and the oceans have a higher preponderance of 18O; during warmer periods the isotope ratio of 16O to 18Ois higher.
The heat from ________ is the energy that drives plate tectonics. - conducted surface thermal radiation - Earth's extremely hot interior - friction along plate boundaries - tidal motion - incoming solar radiation
Earth's extremely hot interior
The heat from ________ is the energy that drives plate tectonics. - friction along plate boundaries - Earth's extremely hot interior - incoming solar radiation - conducted surface thermal radiation - tidal motion
Earth's extremely hot interior
Scientists have linked increased wildfire in the American West since 2000 to all of the following except - El Niño events. - fuel load build-up due to fire suppression. - increased spring and summer temperatures. - changes in natural fire regimes. - earlier spring snowmelt.
El Niño events
________ biodiversity in an ecosystem leads to ________ long-term stability and productivity. - Less; slightly more - Less; less - Less; greater - Greater; less - Greater; greater
Greater; greater
________ streams have some groundwater input, but only flow for certain periods during a year. - Perennial - Temporary - Ephemeral - Exotic - Intermittent
Intermittent
A climate that is mesothermal and has a long, hot, dry summer would be designated by which of the following? - tropical savanna - humid continental hot-summer - Mediterranean - semiarid steppe - humid subtropical hot-summer
Mediterranean
This climograph of San Francisco, California is characteristic of which climate type? - highland - marine west coast - Mediterranean - tropical monsoon - humid subtropical winter-dry
Mediterranean
This climograph of San Francisco, California is characteristic of which climate type? - tropical monsoon - marine west coast - Mediterranean - highland - humid subtropical winter-dry
Mediterranean
Dry summers and winter precipitation maxima characterize which small biome is located in 5 disparate locations, typically on the west coast of continents between 30° and 40° latitude? - Mediterranean shrubland - tropical savanna - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - temperate rain forest - midlatitude grassland
Mediterranean shrubland
Which of the following climate regimes is being depicted in the map? - Tropical climates - Highland climates - Dry climates - Microthermal climates - Mesothermal climates
Microthermal climates
Which of the following soil types is most associated with the tallgrass prairie (midlatitude grassland)? - Aridisols - Oxisols - Mollisols - Spodosols - Andisols
Mollisols
Which of the following soil types is most associated with the tallgrass prairie (midlatitude grassland)? - Oxisols - Spodosols - Mollisols - Aridisols - Andisols
Mollisols
Which of the following best describes an invasive species? - Approximately 90% of all introduced non-native species become invasive species. - Dispersal, even if anthropogenic, is a normal biogeographic process . Introduced species that become established, then, are merely part of an ongoing natural process. - Concerns about invasive species are more hypothetical than realized. Most invasive species continue to occupy small niches and have not greatly influenced native communities. - An invasive species is any non-native introduced species, whether it becomes established or not. - Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area, taking over niches that were already occupied by native species.
Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area, taking over niches that were already occupied by native species.
Which of the following best describes an invasive species? - Dispersal, even if anthropogenic, is a normal biogeographic process . Introduced species that become established, then, are merely part of an ongoing natural process. - Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area, taking over niches that were already occupied by native species. - Concerns about invasive species are more hypothetical than realized. Most invasive species continue to occupy small niches and have not greatly influenced native communities. - Approximately 90% of all introduced non-native species become invasive species. - An invasive species is any non-native introduced species, whether it becomes established or not.
Non-native species become invasive when they become established in a new area, taking over niches that were already occupied by native species.
Which of the following is "virtually certain" (99% certainty) to occur according to the IPCC? - Frequency of high precipitation will increase. - Northern hemisphere spring snow cover will decrease. - Ocean acidification will increase as atmospheric CO2 accumulates. - High latitude precipitation amounts will increase. - Ocean wave heights of mid-latitude storms will increase.
Ocean acidification will increase as atmospheric CO2 accumulates
How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)? - Atmospheric CO2 combines with atmospheric moisture forming a light carbonic acid forms (H2CO3), that is precipitated over the world's oceans. - Increased warming results in glacial melt and more runoff of surface pollutants that can contribute to ocean acidification. - Increased photosynthetic activity in phytoplankton resulting from increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations results in acidification due to a complex chemical reaction during plant decay. - Thermohaline circulation exchanges carbon between surface dissolved organic carbon and deep layers of dissolved inorganic carbon. - Oceans may absorb much of the concentrations of rising CO2. When dissolved CO2 mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H2CO3).
Oceans may absorb much of the concentrations of rising CO2. When dissolved CO2 mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H2CO3).
How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)? - Thermohaline circulation exchanges carbon between surface dissolved organic carbon and deep layers of dissolved inorganic carbon. - Increased photosynthetic activity in phytoplankton resulting from increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations results in acidification due to a complex chemical reaction during plant decay. - Oceans may absorb much of the concentrations of rising CO2. When dissolved CO2 mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H2CO3). - Increased warming results in glacial melt and more runoff of surface pollutants that can contribute to ocean acidification. - Atmospheric CO2 combines with atmospheric moisture forming a light carbonic acid forms (H2CO3), that is precipitated over the world's oceans.
Oceans may absorb much of the concentrations of rising CO2. When dissolved CO2 mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H2CO3).
Which of the following is correct about oceanic and continental crust? - The average thickness of oceanic crust is 70 km. - Oceanic and continental crust represent the majority of Earth's overall diameter. - On average, oceanic crust is not as thick as continental crust. - Crust is thickest in continental interiors. - The Moho is the region separating oceanic and continental crust.
On average, oceanic crust is not as thick as continental crust.
________ streams flow year-round, fed by snowmelt, rainfall, groundwater, or a combination thereof. - Intermittent - Permanent - Perennial - Temporary - Ephemeral
Perennial
Why is the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic of special concern? - As permafrost thaws, it will contribute to global sea level rise. - Thawing permafrost will lead to increased solifluction. - Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which could further amplify warming. - Most permafrost is in the Southern Hemisphere where the thawing is contributing to a decline in global biodiversity. - Wet peatland forests will be further drained and logged as the conditions are conducive for such activity.
Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which could further amplify warming.
Why is the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic of special concern? - Thawing permafrost will lead to increased solifluction. - Most permafrost is in the Southern Hemisphere where the thawing is contributing to a decline in global biodiversity. - As permafrost thaws, it will contribute to global sea level rise. - Wet peatland forests will be further drained and logged as the conditions are conducive for such activity. - Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which could further amplify warming.
Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which could further amplify warming.
________ is the coherent theory that describes the motion of the Earth's lithosphere and associated processes and results. - Contact metamorphism - Sea floor spreading - Pangaea - Metamorphism - Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics
Which of the following is an example of an age-relationship based on relative dating? - Clovis points have been dated at 11,000 years old in North America. - Fossil records show flowering plants developed during the Cretaceous. - The Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon is younger than the Hermit Shale. - The Tonto Group in the Grand Canyon was formed during the Paleozoic era. - The Grand Canyon's Vishnu Schist is from the Precambrian.
The Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon is younger than the Hermit Shale
Why might one find tundra, glaciers, and polar conditions at low latitudes? - High albedo due to some land cover types prevent the absorption of insolation, resulting in these features. - The cooling effect of altitude can produce these features. - Cold ocean currents off the west coast of continents produce exceptional cold conditions, even at low latitudes. - Despite low latitude locations, the high variability of daylength and low sun angle create cold conditions. - These are anthropogenic features that have resulted from deforestation and subsequent shifts in climate systems.
The cooling effect of altitude can produce these features.
Which of the following is an example of the principle of uniformitarianism? - The Earth's geological history is mostly uniform and homogeneous, existing now as it mostly always has with the exception of minor recent changes. - It is not possible to know how Earth processes have changed overtime, therefore it is not possible to deduce how Earth's ancient landforms evolved. - The processes by which streams carve valleys at present are the same as those that carved valleys 500 millions years ago. - Prior to written history, knowledge of Earth history is largely unknowable. - Catastrophic events, such as major landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic episodes, are the primary drivers of geomorphological change.
The processes by which streams carve valleys at present are the same as those that carved valleys 500 millions years ago.
Pangaea refers to the - changes in Earths axial tilt from 21.5° to 24.5° - closing of the Panamanian land bridge during the Miocene Epoch. - Triassic supercontinent that existed approximately 220 mya. - Himalayan orogeny that altered the path of the polar jet stream, creating wetter conditions on the windward side of the range. - alterations in sunspot activity that resulted in a colder than normal period during the Little Ice Age
Triassic supercontinent that existed approximately 220 mya.
Which of the following lists the correct, generalized sequence of climates from the equator to the poles? - Polar → Microthermal → Dry → Mesothermal → Tropical - Tropical → Dry → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar - Tropical → Mesothermal → Dry → Microthermal → Polar - Tropical → Dry → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Highland - Dry → Tropical → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar
Tropical → Dry → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar
Relatively high precipitation in the regions in which these soils are found cause greater mineral alterations and more leaching than in other soils. - Gelisols - Inceptisols - Entisols - Spodosols - Ultisols
Ultisols
The southeast United States is dominated by which soil order? - Entisols - Alfisols - Spodosols - Ultisols - Inceptisols
Ultisols
The southeast United States is dominated by which soil order? - Spodosols - Alfisols - Inceptisols - Ultisols - Entisols
Ultisols
When a river reaches a base level, its forward velocity rapidly decelerates as it enters a larger body of standing water and ________ is formed. - a delta - an estuary - an alluvial fan - a stream terrace - an alluvial terrace
a delta
The asthenosphere can best be described as - magma. - a plastic. - a rigid solid. - a plasma. - a liquid.
a plastic.
The Hawaiian Islands were formed as a result of - an oceanic-oceanic plate collision. - activity along a mid-ocean ridge. - convergent plate boundaries. - a continental-oceanic plate collision. - a rising plume of magma from the mantle.
a rising plume of magma from the mantle.
If the load exceeds a stream's capacity, sediment accumulates in the bed in a process called - downcutting. - saltation. - aggradation. - degradation. - traction.
aggradation
Cone-shaped deposits of sediment often found at mouth of stream canyons in arid and semiarid climates are called - deltas. - fjords. - alluvial terraces. - talus cones. - alluvial fans.
alluvial fans
Cone-shaped deposits of sediment often found at mouth of stream canyons in arid and semiarid climates are called - talus cones. - alluvial terraces. - fjords. - deltas. - alluvial fans.
alluvial fans.
The entrenchment of a river into its own floodplain produces - natural levees. - alluvial terraces. - river deltas. - nickpoints. - backswamps.
alluvial terraces
Subduction occurs - at sea floor spreading zones. - along collision zones between two continents. - divergent plate boundaries. - above mantle hot spots. - along collision zones between continental and oceanic plates.
along collision zones between continental and oceanic plates.
Which of the following is not a criteria to be classified as a mineral? - inorganic - crystalline structure - specific chemical composition - anthropogenic - solid
anthropogenic
Which of the following human activities can contribute to mass movement? - commercial development only - residential development only - surface mining only - any human disturbance of a slope, including road cuts, surface mining, and development - a roadcut only
any human disturbance of a slope, including road cuts, surface mining, and development
Podzolization is likely to occur in - the tropics. - areas characterized coniferous forests. - areas with broadleaf forests. - humid climate regions. - semi-arid and arid regions.
areas characterized coniferous forests.
Salinization is likely to occur in - areas characterized by coniferous forests. - humid climate regions. - the tundra regions. - the tropics. - areas of high potential evapotranspiration rates.
areas of high potential evapotranspiration rates.
Calcification is likely to occur in - humid climate regions. - areas with Vertisols. - arid and semiarid deserts and grasslands. - tropical climate regions. - areas characterized by coniferous forests.
arid and semiarid deserts and grasslands.
Which of the following is not necessary for well-developed karst to develop? - a zone of air between the ground surface and water table - joints in rock of otherwise low - permeability - arid conditions - vegetation - high proportion of calcium carbonate in the rock
arid conditions
The degradation of a landscape by weathering, erosion, and transportation will ultimately reduce the landscape down to - continental shelf. - the mountain tops. - valley level. - base level. - headwaters.
base level
As chemical pesticides move through the trophic pyramid, they may become increasingly concentrated at each higher level in a - process called - bioremediation. - pyramidal decay. - trophic cascading. - competitive exclusion. - biological amplification.
biological amplification
As chemical pesticides move through the trophic pyramid, they may become increasingly concentrated at each higher level in a process called - biological amplification. - pyramidal decay. - bioremediation. - trophic cascading. - competitive exclusion.
biological amplification.
The net dry weight of all organic material in an ecosystem is known as - net primary productivity. - net photosynthesis. - biodiversity. - compensation point. - biomass.
biomass.
Large, stable communities of plants and animals whose boundaries are closely linked to climate and soils are called - life zones. - biomes. - ecospheres. - biogeographic realms. - biozones.
biomes
Large, stable communities of plants and animals whose boundaries are closely linked to climate and soils are called - biogeographic realms. - ecospheres. - biozones. - biomes. - life zones.
biomes.
Which extensive biome is dominated by evergreen needleleaf forests? - temperate rain forest - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - tropical rain forest - tropical seasonal forest and scrub - boreal and montane forest
boreal and montane forest
Excess sediment may result in which of the following channel patterns? - braided stream - deeply entrenched U-shaped valleys - straight, steep-walled channels - V-shaped valleys - meandering stream
braided stream
The primary anthropogenic source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is - rice farming. - respiration. - volcanic eruptions. - burning of fossil fuels. - clearing and burning land.
burning of fossil fuels.
When rainwater attacks formations of limestone, the minerals dissolve and wash away with the mildly acid rainwater. This is an example of - crystallization. - oxidation. - acidification - frost action. - carbonation.
carbonation
When rainwater attacks formations of limestone, the minerals dissolve and wash away with the mildly acid rainwater. This is an example of - crystallization. - oxidation. - frost action. - carbonation. - acidification
carbonation
Of the following greenhouse gases, which has actually decreased in atmospheric concentrations during the past 30 years? - methane (CH4) - chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - carbon dioxide (CO2) - nitrous oxides (N2O) - water vapor (H2O)
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
As a stream's velocity decreases, which of the following sizes of sediments will be deposited last? - silt - sand - clay - boulders - gravel
clay
The study of the climate and its variability, including long-term weather patterns over time and space and the controls thereof is
climatology.
The portion of each meandering curve subject to the fastest water velocity undergoes the greatest erosive action. This action forms a steep - cutback. - uppercut bank. - point bar. - oxbow. - meander scar.
cutback
As they migrate, meandering streams erode their outside banks, often forming a narrow neck of land that eventually erodes through and forms a ________ and the stream becomes ________. - meander scar; narrower - point bar; wider - neck; longer - cutback; more sinuous - cutoff; straighter
cutoff; straighter
In the Andes Mountains of South America, entire towns of thousands of people have been buried suddenly when water and loose materials traveled downhill as a viscous fluid. This type of catastrophic event is known as a - slide. - lahar. - debris avalanche. - slump. - rock fall.
debris avalanche.
What is the tree-like drainage pattern that efficiently moves water and sediment through its system due to minimization of the total length of each branch? - dendritic - deranged - rectangular - trellis - radial
dendritic
What is the drainage pattern with no clear geometry and no true stream valley that occurs in glaciated shield regions? - trellis - dendritic - parallel - deranged - radial
deranged
The sediment load that travels in solution is - bed load. - saltation. - suspended load. - flow load. - dissolved load.
dissolved load
Mid-oceanic ridges occur at ________ plate boundaries. - transform - convergent - transverse - synthetic - divergent
divergent
Watersheds are surrounded by - drainage divides. - hydrologic unit codes (HUCs). - stream orders. - continental divides. - fluvial units.
drainage divides.
Which of the following is not an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change? - using energy efficient light bulbs - eating locally sourced foods - improve regional land use practices - planting trees to shade houses - driving a vehicle with high fuel economy
driving a vehicle with high fuel economy
Biomes are determined based on - evolutionary history and degree of isolation. - topographic and climatic variables. - life zones. - dominant faunal assemblages. - easily identifiable vegetation characteristics of the dominant plants.
easily identifiable vegetation characteristics of the dominant
When a community is disturbed to the point that most or all of its species are eliminated, a process called ________ occurs in which the area undergoes a series of changes in species composition as newer communities replace older ones. - mass extinction - natural selection - ecological succession - patch dynamics - rejuvenation
ecological succession
The study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment is called - biology. - pedology. - zoology. - ecology. - biogeography.
ecology
The study of the interrelationships between organisms and their environment is called - biology. - pedology. - ecology. - biogeography. - zoology.
ecology.
The area at the surface directly above the subsurface location where seismic waves are initiated is termed the - Richter zone. - Mercalli point. - focus, or hypocenter. - Moho. - epicenter.
epicenter
When pressure is removed from overlying rock, the pressure of deep burial is relieved, initiating pressure-release jointing. The joints then separate into curved slabs. This is known as - frost wedging. - salt crystal growth. - spheroidal weathering. - crystallization. - exfoliation.
exfoliation.
Broadly defined, the biosphere - extends from the ocean floor to an altitude of approximately 8 km (5 mi) into the atmosphere. - consists of only terrestrial organisms, while the hydrosphere includes aquatic and marine organisms. - encompasses both the lithosphere and the hydrosphere, but not the atmosphere. - is more a theoretical construct than an observable sphere of study. - only includes the biotic components of an ecosystem, with the abiotic components being considered part of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, or atmosphere, respectively.
extends from the ocean floor to an altitude of approximately 8 km (5 mi) into the atmosphere.
When rock strata are strained beyond their ability to remain an intact unit, displacement occurs in a process known as - stressing. - folding. - shearing. - faulting. - broad warping.
faulting.
Natural levees are created during - low flow conditions. - degradation. - erosional events. - normal flow conditions. - floods.
floods.
Processes that are related expressly to streams and rivers are termed - lotic. - lentic. - fluvial. - riverine. - geomorphic.
fluvial
If one were to stack thick fabric fabric on top of one another, then push the opposite ends towards one another, resulting and bending and rumpling, this would illustrate what physical process? - folding - subducting - faulting - shear - tension
folding
Energy flows through an ecosystem along an idealized unidirectional pathway called a - trophic cascade. - food web. - food chain. - niche order. - bioamplifier.
food chain
Physical and chemical weathering processes typically occur along the ________ of a slope. - free face - depositional surface - waning slope - angle of repose - debris slope
free face
The angle of repose represent a balance between the driving force and resisting force. Which of the following is the resisting force? - shear - centrifugal - gravity - inertia - friction
friction
The fact that water expands as much as 9% of its volume as it freezes is the basis of - hydrolysis - exfoliation. - oxidation. - frost wedging. - salt crystal growth.
frost wedging.
Since the Industrial Revolution - no observable warming or cooling trends have occurred, rather temperatures have oscillated between warm and cold periods. - human population growth rates have decreased with a subsequent decrease in the warming trend that characterized pre-Industrial Revolution times. - global temperatures rapidly increased, then steadied out over the past 25 to 30 years. - sun spot activity has accelerated, resulting in an apparent warming that will subside when this activity ceases. - global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates.
global temperatures have continued to warm at accelerating rates.
The drop in stream elevation per unit distance is known as - aspect. - flow. - base level. - discharge. - gradient.
gradient.
The drop in stream elevation per unit distance is known as - base level. - gradient. - aspect. - flow. - discharge.
gradient.
Chlorophyll reflects predominately ________ wavelengths of visible light. - indigo - red - yellow - blue - green
green
The environment in which an organism resides or is biologically adapted to live is called a(n) - ecotone. - niche. - community. - trophic level. - habitat.
habitat
The environment in which an organism resides or is biologically adapted to live is called a(n) - community. - niche. - habitat. - ecotone. - trophic level.
habitat.
The suspended load of a stream consists of particles that are - rolled along the stream bed. - bounced along the stream bed. - dragged along the stream bed. - held aloft in the stream flow. - dissolved in solution.
held aloft in the stream flow.
Chemical weathering is greatest under conditions of - lower rainfall, but higher temperatures. - higher rainfall, but lower temperatures. - lower rainfall and temperatures. - near absence of rainfall, but higher temperatures. - higher rainfall and temperatures.
higher rainfall and temperatures
Transform faults along plate boundaries are typically associated with - sea-floor spreading centers. - both crustal creation and subduction. - volcanism. - subduction zones. - horizontal displacement.
horizontal displacement.
This climograph of Moscow, Russia is characteristic of which climate type? - humid continental mild-summer - subtropical hot desert - marine west coast - Mediterranean - tundra
humid continental mild-summer
Which of the following is not a type of physical weathering process? - freeze-thaw action - hydrolysis - salt crystal growth - frost wedging - exfoliation
hydrolysis
Which of the following is not a type of physical weathering process? - freeze-thaw action - salt crystal growth - frost wedging - hydrolysis - exfoliation
hydrolysis
A dead zone refers to - terrestrial areas in which excessive nitrogen fertilizer has essentially burned the soil, preventing plants and microorganisms from living there. - hypoxic (low oxygen) areas in water bodies that limit marine and aquatic life. - an ecosystem that was cleared of all vegetation for slash and burn agriculture. - oligotrophic areas in water bodies that cannot support life due to lack of nutrients. - an ecosystem in which overhunting or overfishing has resulted in the removal of keystone species and, ultimately, faunal collapse.
hypoxic (low oxygen) areas in water bodies that limit marine and aquatic life.
What type of rock forms from the solidification of molten material? - clastic - foliated - sedimentary - metamorphic - igneous
igneous
The hot desert climates occuronly in areas under the influence of a rain shadow. - only in midlatitude rainshadow positions. - along the midlatitude - west coasts of continents. - in the tropics and subtropics. - in polar regions.
in the tropics and subtropics.
Hundreds of people in northeastern Afghanistan were killed when this sudden rapid movement of an unsaturated cohesive mass of regolith or bedrock occurred, an example of - mudflow. - rockfall. - landslide. - debris avalanche. - creep.
landslide.
In terms of pedogenic regimes, the leaching process in humid and warm climates is known as - calcification. - gleization. - podzolization. - salinization. - laterization
laterization
Insolation, the energy input for the climate system, is largely determined by - altitude. - local and regional winds. - upper atmospheric circulation. - location of high pressure cell. - latitude.
latitude
The rigid crust and uppermost mantle are known collectively as the - core. - Gutenberg discontinuity. - lithosphere. - Moho. - asthenosphere.
lithosphere.
Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH4) sources, which is the largest? - burning of vegetation - livestock - wastewater treatment - rice paddies - agriculture associated fires
livestock
Of the following anthropogenic methane (CH4) sources, which is the largest? - rice paddies - burning of vegetation - livestock - agriculture associated fires - wastewater treatment
livestock
A roughly equal mix of sand, silt, and clay is called - regolith. - pedon. - humus. - loam. - solum.
loam
Alluvial fans are formed as flowing water ________ as it leaves a constricted channel. - loses velocity - gains velocity - changes direction - entrenches - down cuts
loses velocity
Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface is known as ________, whereas molten rock on the Earth's surface is called ________. - extrusive; intrusive - lava; magma - lava; extrusive - magma; intrusive - magma; lava
magma; lava
This climograph of Dunedin, New Zealand is characteristic of which climate type? - marine west coast - Mediterranean - tropical monsoon - humid subtropical winter-dry - humid continental hot-summer
marine west coast
Channels with gradual slopes often develop a sinuous form called a ________ pattern. - anabranching - exotic - meandering stream - braided stream - straight
meandering stream
Channels with gradual slopes often develop a sinuous form called a ________ pattern. - exotic - anabranching - braided stream - straight - meandering stream
meandering stream
A rock transformed from any other rock through extreme heat and or pressure is referred to as - igneous. - ancient. - sedimentary. - clastic. - metamorphic.
metamorphic.
Moist continental climates support several distinct communities of needleleaf, broadleaf, and mixed forests in which biome found in North America, Europe, and Asia? - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - midlatitude grassland - tropical rain forest - boreal and montane forest - tropical savanna
midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
The 98th meridian marks an important biophysical marker in North America for which biome where increasing aridity produces vegetation of a distinctly different stature? - desert - Mediterranean shrubland - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - tropical savanna - midlatitude grassland
midlatitude grassland
The 98th meridian marks an important biophysical marker in North America for which biome where increasing aridity produces vegetation of a distinctly different stature? - tropical savanna - desert - Mediterranean shrubland - midlatitude grassland - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest
midlatitude grassland
The near annihilation of the American bison (Bison bison) has restricted its occurrence to a few protected remnants and preserves in which biome? - Boreal and montane forest - midlatitude broadleaf and mixed forest - Mediterranean shrubland - tropical savanna - midlatitude grassland
midlatitude grassland
In coral reefs, clownfish live unharmed among the poisonous tentacles of sea anemones. The sea anemones protect the clownfish from predation, while the clownfish scare off predators, such butterfly fish, which would otherwise eat the anemones. The clownfish may also provide important nutrients to the anemones. This is an example of which symbiotic relationship? - parasitism - synnecrosis - commensalism - amensalism - mutualism
mutualism
Which of the following would not be a limiting factor for a plant species? - soil phosphorus content - average daily insolation - days below freezing - natural selection - daily precipitation values
natural selection
As air temperatures increase, evaporation increases, leading to more condensation and cloud formation. Low, thick cloud cover increases the albedo of the atmosphere, thereby having a cooling effect on Earth. This is an example of a - threshold. - equilibrium state. - positive feedback loop. - static state. - neither a positive or negative feedback loop. - negative feedback loop.
negative feedback loop
Which of the following is not an example of methods used for short-term climate reconstructions? - cave formation (speleothem) analysis - ocean sediment core analysis - dendrochronology - carbon isotope analysis - lake core analysis
ocean sediment core analysis
A consumer, such as a bear, that eats both producers (plants) and consumers (animals) is a(n) - autotroph. - carnivore. - herbivore. - omnivore. - detritivore.
omnivore
Where would one likely find the deepest soil development? - on steep slopes - in biologically productive areas, regardless of slope or aspect - on level or nearly level grounds - over the oldest geological formations in an area, regardless of slope - on moderately sloping, south facing hills (in the Northern Hemisphere)
on level or nearly level grounds
Hydrolysis, hydration, oxidation, and carbonation are all examples of ________ weathering processes. - only physical - chemical and biological - physical and biological - only chemical - only biological
only chemical
Which of the following is not a denudation process? - orogeny - mass movement - erosion - physical weathering - chemical weathering
orogeny
Which of the following layers of Earth is liquid and is responsible for producing Earth's magnetic field? - outer core - inner core - asthenosphere - Mohorovičić discontinuity - lower mantle
outer core
Rust, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water, is an example of - carbonation. - oxidation. - pressure-release jointing. - hydration. - frost wedging.
oxidation.
The yellow-red stains that occur on some rock surfaces are the result of ________ which is a form of ________ weathering. - oxidation; chemical - oxidation; physical - hydration; chemical - hydration; physical - solution; chemical
oxidation; chemical
The science that studies the Earth's past climates is - climate change science. - meteorology. - paleoclimatology. - limnology. - dendrochronology.
paleoclimatology
CO2 + H2O + Light g C6H12O6 + O2 is the generalized equation for - photosynthesis. - respiration. - evaporation. - transpiration. - chemosynthesis
photosynthesis.
When rock is broken down and disintegrated without any chemical alterations, the process in operation is - chemical weathering. - erosion. - carbonation. - physical weathering. - hydrolysis.
physical weathering
When rock is broken down and disintegrated without any chemical alterations, the process in operation is - chemical weathering. - physical weathering. - carbonation. - erosion. - hydrolysis.
physical weathering
When rock is broken down and disintegrated without any chemical alterations, the process in operation is - hydrolysis. - erosion. - physical weathering. - carbonation. - chemical weathering.
physical weathering
The first species to colonize previously disturbed or damaged ecosystems are called a(n) - establishers. - successor. - sere. - founders. - pioneer community.
pioneer community
The term used to denote the part of a volume of soil that is filled with air, gases, or water is - permeability. - soil structure. - soil texture. - soil moisture. - porosity.
porosity.
Changes in the orientation of the Earth's axis over a 26,000-year cycle is known as - eccentricity. - obliquity. - precession. - declination. - inclination.
precession
When the upper surface of consolidated rock undergoes constant weathering, it creates unconsolidated rock that covers the parent rock and is called - outcrop. - angle of repose. - regolith. - parent material. - bedrock.
regolith
During the last century, sea level - dropped 3 to 5 cm (1.18 to 3.15 in.). - dropped 10 to 15 cm (3.94 to 5.9 in.). - rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.). - remained fairly constant, though some areas (such at the Atlantic coast) experienced moderate rises. - rose 30 to 46 cm (11.8 to 18 in.).
rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.).
During the last century, sea level - rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.). - dropped 3 to 5 cm (1.18 to 3.15 in.). - dropped 10 to 15 cm (3.94 to 5.9 in.). - remained fairly constant, though some areas (such at the Atlantic coast) experienced moderate rises. - rose 30 to 46 cm (11.8 to 18 in.).
rose 17 to 21 cm (6.7 to 8.3 in.).
Human-induced mass movements produce a category of processes known as - scarification. - slump. - debris flows. - denudation. - translational slides.
scarification
Which of the following best describes the vegetation of the Mediterranean shrubland biome? - broadleaf deciduous - semideciduous - needleleaf evergreen - sclerophyllous - herbaceous
sclerophyllous
The ultimate base level is - dependent on the geological substrate. - sea level. - any hard, resistant rock in a channel. - a drainage divide. - a dam.
sea level.
Divergent plate boundaries are characteristic of - transform plate boundaries. - all plate boundaries. - collision zones between plates. - lateral faults. - sea-floor spreading centers.
sea-floor spreading centers
If a forest fire destroyed the vegetation in an area, but left some vestiges of the previously functioning community and the soil intact, what type of succession would follow? - primary - secondary - tertiary - quinary - quaternary
secondary
If you were driving down the highway and saw mountains composed of layered strata, you could be confident that you were looking at - batholiths or laccoliths. - intrusive igneous rocks. - extrusive igneous rocks. - sedimentary rocks. - a shield volcano.
sedimentary rocks
A gently sloping mountain landform built from effusive eruption is known as a - shield volcano. - crater. - caldera. - cinder cone. - pluton.
shield volcano.
The weathering of limestone can create circular depressions known as - stalactites. - sinkholes. - caverns. - karst towers. - rock falls.
sinkholes
The weathering of limestone can create circular depressions known as - caverns. - stalactites. - rock falls. - karst towers. - sinkholes.
sinkholes.
The present-day, ongoing extinction event is regarded as the ________ mass extinction event in Earth's history - seventh - second - sixth - ninth - first
sixth
The mass movement process responsible of the curved growing pattern in the trees and the downslope leaning of the utility posts and fences is - landslide. - rockfall. - debris avalanche. - soil creep. - slump.
soil creep.
These rounded outcrops are the result of which weathering process? - spheroidal weathering - hydration - carbonation - oxidation - pressure-release jointing
spheroidal weathering
A slope is ________ if its strength exceed denudation processes and ________ if its materials are weaker than denudation processes. - in disequilibrium; in equilibrium - inertial; gravitational - in equilibrium; in disequilibrium - unstable; stable - stable; unstable
stable; unstable
Which of the following are examples of dripstones? - stalactites - caverns - sinkholes - disappearing streams - rockfall
stalactites
Which of the following has a negative radiative forcing (i.e. cools the planet)? - Trichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-11) - stratospheric ozone (O3) - methane (CH4) - nitrous oxides (N2O) - carbon dioxide (CO2)
stratospheric ozone (O3)
When lateral shear causes horizontal movement along a fault plane, the resulting fault is called a - strike-slip fault. - hot spot. - normal fault. - thrust fault. - reverse fault.
strike-slip fault.
This climograph of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is characteristic of which climate type? - marine west coast - tundra - tropical rain forest - subtropical hot desert - humid subtropical hot-summer
subtropical hot desert
The sediment load consisting of fine-grained clastic particles held aloft in the stream is the - flow load. - bed load. - suspended load. - saltation. - dissolved load.
suspended load
Acidic soils - are high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium ions. - tend to be less fertile than more neutral soils. - are exceptionally rare. - are generally very high in ammonia. - typically do not require any additional treatment before planting of agricultural crops.
tend to be less fertile than more neutral soils.
The energy that powers the biosphere comes almost entirely from ________. - fluvial action. - abiotic chemical reactions. - the Sun. - endogenic processes. - soil nutrients.
the Sun
The energy that powers the biosphere comes almost entirely from ________. - endogenic processes. - the Sun. - soil nutrients. - abiotic chemical reactions. - fluvial action.
the Sun.
In which of the following areas would one likely find Mollisols? - Southeast Asia - Northeast United States - the U.S. Great Plains - Central Africa - Sub-Saharan Africa
the U.S. Great Plains
In terms of dating of specific rocks, structures, or landscapes, relative age refers to - the inability to ascertain exact age through isotopic methods and the necessity to provide a date range for such features. - the approximate age of geological features based on the period or epoch in which they occurred. For instance, noting a feature is from the Cretaceous. - the age of geological features based on radiometric dating techniques. - an educated guess of the rocks age based on its crystalline structure. - the age of one feature with respect to another within a sequence of events and deduced from the positions of rock strata above and below one another.
the age of one feature with respect to another within a sequence of events and deduced from the positions of rock strata above and below one another.
Which of the following is not considered a mechanism of natural climate change? - solar variability. - the burning of fossil fuels. - changes in Earth-Sun relationships. - movement of continents via plate tectonics. - volcanic eruptions.
the burning of fossil fuels.
An earthquake is best described as - the point within the Earth where seismic waves originate. - the amount of ground displacement along a fault. - the sharp release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. - the amount of stress rocks along plate boundaries experience. - an effusive explosion of magma.
the sharp release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
Areas where plates slide past one another, usually at right angles across mid-ocean ridge systems are - divergent boundaries. - areas of seafloor spreading. - transform boundaries. - high in volcanic eruptions. - convergent boundaries.
transform boundaries.
A recent viral video entitled "How Wolves Change Rivers" argues that the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone after a 70 year absence led to multiple changes in the biodiversity and ecology of the park. This is an example of a(n) - eutrophication - autotroph. - pioneer community. - primary succession - trophic cascade
trophic cascade
This climograph of Hanoi, Vietnam is characteristic of which climate type? - humid subtropical winter-dry - highland - Mediterranean - tropical monsoon - semi-arid steppe
tropical monsoon
In which of the following areas would one likely find Oxisols? - primarily in grasslands - higher latitudes, especially areas dominated by permafrost - in mountainous areas with steep slopes - subarctic regions - tropical regions
tropical regions
Acacias and elephants in southern Africa are indicative of which biome? - midlatitude grassland - desert - tropical savanna - Arctic and alpine tundra - tropical rain forest
tropical savanna
This biome occurs in equatorial regions with erratic rainfall and typically occur on the margins of tropic rainforests. - Mediterranean shrubland - tropical rain forest - tropical seasonal forest and scrub - temperate rain forest - tropical savanna
tropical seasonal forest and scrub
This biome occurs in equatorial regions with erratic rainfall and typically occur on the margins of tropic rainforests. - tropical rain forest - tropical seasonal forest and scrub - Mediterranean shrubland - temperate rain forest - tropical savanna
tropical seasonal forest and scrub
This biome, with some deciduous trees and an open parkland vegetation type, are transitional between tropical rain forest and grassland. - tropical seasonal forest and scrub - Mediterranean shrubland - broadleaf and mixed forest - tropical savanna - temperate rain forest
tropical seasonal forest and scrub
World temperature patterns are primarily controlled by the following except
urban heat islands.
The area of land from which all water in it drains into the same place is known as a(n) - fluvial units. - drainage divide - interfluve. - rill. - watershed
watershed
The area of land from which all water in it drains into the same place is known as a(n) - rill. - drainage divide - interfluve. - fluvial units. - watershed.
watershed.
The process that breaks down rock at the Earth's surface through disintegration of rocks into mineral particles or dissolving it into water is known as - deposition. - erosion. - mass movement. - weathering. - landmass denudation.
weathering.
Increased seismicity in some areas (e.g., Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma) has been linked to - wells associated with oil and gas drilling. - a rift valley hot spot in the mid-continental region. - a continental plate—continental plate subduction zone. - a strike-slip fault. - orogeny
wells associated with oil and gas drilling