Geosystems Quiz #11 (Chapter 14)

________ streams begin in moist regions and flow downstream into arid landscapes with high evapotranspiration. A. Perennial B. Intermittent C. Ephemeral D. Temporary E. Exotic

E. Exotic

The process whereby streams deepen their channel is known as A. headwater erosion. B. channel incision.

B. channel incision.

Which of the following will favor stream terrace formation? A. a large increase in sediment load B. tectonic uplift of the headwaters C. a rise in sea level

B. tectonic uplift of the headwaters

The portion of each meandering curve subject to the fastest water velocity undergoes the greatest erosive action. This action forms a steep A. meander scar. B. oxbow. C. cutbank. D. point bar.

C. cutbank.

When a river reaches a base level, its forward velocity rapidly decelerates as it enters a larger body of standing water and a (n) ________ is formed. A. estuary B. alluvial terrace C. delta

C. delta

The ultimate base level is A. a drainage divide. B. a dam. C. sea level.

C. sea level.

Coarser particles generally settle out ________, while finer particles settle out ________. A. closer to the mouth; closer to the headwaters B. closer to the headwaters; closer to the mouth

B. closer to the headwaters; closer to the mouth

As they migrate, meandering streams erode their out outside banks, often forming a narrow neck of land that eventually erodes through and forms a ________ and the stream becomes ________. A. meander scar; narrower B. cutoff; straighter

B. cutoff; straighter

________ is the general term for unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, gravel, and mineral fragments deposited by running water. A. Alluvium B. Deposition

A. Alluvium

________ streams flow year-round, fed by snowmelt, rainfall, groundwater, or a combination thereof. A. Perennial B. Intermittent C. Ephemeral

A. Perennial

The sediment load consisting of coarse material too large to remain in suspension, moving along the channel bottom via traction and saltation is the A. bed load. B. suspended load. C. dissolved load.

A. bed load.

A maze of interconnected channels formed on a river with a high sediment load is known as a(n) ________ stream. A. braided B. meandering

A. braided

The Paraná River is in the process of filling in an enclosed body of water at the river's mouth. This is an example of a(n) ________ delta. A. estuarine B. bird's-foot C. arcuate

A. estuarine

Natural levees are created during A. floods. B. normal flow conditions. C. low flow conditions.

A. floods.

Processes that are related expressly to streams and rivers are termed A. fluvial. B. geomorphic. C. riverine.

A. fluvial.

A(n) ________ is a stream which maintains an equilibrium between the processes of erosion and deposition and, therefore degradation and aggradation. A. graded stream B. oxbow C. anabranching river D. meandering stream

A. graded stream

The process whereby streams lengthen their channels upstream is called A. headwater erosion. B. channel incision. C. stream piracy.

A. headwater erosion.

The statistical rating of flood discharge is based on A. historical records of discharge during precipitation events. B. floodplain width. C. average channel depth.

A. historical records of discharge during precipitation events.

A(n) ________ is a meander that becomes isolated from the rest of the river. A. oxbow lake B. undercut bank C. point bar

A. oxbow lake

Base level refers to A. the amount of discharge in a particular reach of a stream. B. a level below which a stream cannot erode its valley.

B. a level below which a stream cannot erode its valley.

Erosion in which boulders and gravel moving along the channel break apart and as rocks and sediment grind and carve streambeds is known as A. weathering. B. abrasion. C. hydraulic action.

B. abrasion.

The entrenchment of a river into its own floodplain can produce A. backswamps. B. alluvial terraces. C. natural levees.

B. alluvial terraces.

The main process contributing material in solution in sediment load is A. physical weathering. B. chemical weathering.

B. chemical weathering.

If you live in an area that was flooded by the 100-year flood last year, you can conclude that A. the next 100-year flood will occur in exactly 100 years. B. there is a 1% chance you could be flooded by the 100-year flood again this year. C. you do not have to worry about another flood of that size during your lifetime.

B. there is a 1% chance you could be flooded by the 100-year flood again this year.

The area of land from which all water in it drains into the same place is known as a(n) A. interfluve. B. watershed. C. drainage divide.

B. watershed.

A yazoo tributary stream cannot join with the main river in an area because A. the yazoo flows in a different valley. B. a small structural ridge separates the rivers. C. a natural levee on the main river prevents joining.

C. a natural levee on the main river prevents joining.

Maximum velocity in a meandering stream is A. at the inner portion of the meander curve. B. at the center and near the surface. C. at the outer portion of the meander curve.

C. at the outer portion of the meander curve.

A stream's volume of flow per unit of time is its A. speed. B. velocity. C. discharge. D. flow rate. E. base load.

C. discharge.

The sediment load that travels in solution is A. bed load. B. suspended load. C. dissolved load.

C. dissolved load.

The drop in stream elevation per unit distance is known as A. discharge. B. base level. C. gradient.

C. gradient.

Erosion performed by flowing water alone is known as A. weathering. B. abrasion. C. hydraulic action.

C. hydraulic action.

An interruption in a stream's graded profile of equilibrium is called a A. gradation. B. cutbank. C. nickpoint.

C. nickpoint.

Entrenchment of a channel occurs because A. a decrease in stream gradient occurs. B. a change in the bed load size-distribution occurs. C. rejuvenation occurs due to uplift.

C. rejuvenation occurs due to uplift.

Which of the following lists of processes are in the correct sequence as to their occurrence in nature? A. deposition, erosion, transport, weathering B. weathering, erosion, deposition, transport C. weathering, deposition, erosion, transport D. weathering, erosion, transport, deposition E. transport, deposition, erosion, weathering

D. weathering, erosion, transport, deposition

Turbulent flow is likely to be least in A. channels with tree trunks and other obstacles. B. shallow streams with boulders. C. streams with high friction. D. deep, lowland rivers.

shallow streams with boulders. (X)