Landforms 1020 U of Memphis - Final Exam
A guiding principle of modern science is the principle of uniformitarianism-as opposed to catastrophism. a. True b. False
TRUE
Ocean floor is created along midocean ridges. a. True b. False
TRUE
The Hawaiian Islands are near one end of a hot-spot track that stretches to Alaska. a. True b. False
TRUE
The composition of the ocean in terms of the ratio of individual mineral salts is remarkably homogenous. a. True b. False
TRUE
Which of the following is not true of tides? a. They are produced solely by the gravitational pull of the Sun. b. They are complex daily oscillations in sea level. c. They are influenced by the size, depth, and topography of ocean basins. d. They are influenced by shoreline configuration and latitude.
They are produced solely by the gravitational pull of the Sun.
Which of the following statements about shield volcanoes is true? a. They occur in shield areas of Earth. b. They are subject to violently explosive eruptions. c. They form from mafic magma. d. They consist of tremendous quantities of pyroclastics.
They form from mafic magma.
Which of the following is not a felsic mineral? a. quartz b. feldspar c. peridotite d. orthoclase
peridotite
The layer within Earth that lies directly below the lithosphere, but above the upper mantle, is best described as a. a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure. b. a granitic material that weighs an average of 2.7 grams per cm3. c. the core. d. resistant to movement of any type.
a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure.
Divisions among topographic regions are based on a. arbitrary criteria regarding height or other descriptive criteria that are in common use. b. complex statistical analyses of surface relief variation across the surface of Earth. c. local criteria that have never been universally recognized. d. logarithmic relationships applied to elevation.
arbitrary criteria regarding height or other descriptive criteria that are in common use.
High mountains consisting of tightly folded and overthrust sedimentary rock layers, as well as metamorphic rocks, are formed a. along midocean ridges during seafloor spreading activity and are subsequently uplifted above sea level in response to isostatic processes. b. during plate collisions. c. during volcanic eruptions. d. in continental rift zones. e. exclusively by magma intrusions.
during plate collisions.
Which of the following can lead to the formation of mountains? a. plate collisions and volcanic activity b. exposure of plutons by erosion of surrounding landscape c. faulting d. All of these e. plate collisions and volcanic activity and exposure of plutons by erosion of surrounding landscape only
All of these
Which of the following plays a role in the shaping of Earth's surface? a. gravity. b. the action of wind, water, and ice. c. the radioactive decay of atoms. d. All of these e. the action of wind, water, and ice and the radioactive decay of atoms only
All of these
Which of the following is true of the aesthenosphere? a. It contains pockets of increased heat. b. It flows. c. It carries the lithospheric plates. d. All of these are true. e. None of these are true.
All of these are true.
The density of material below the Moho is __________ that above it. a. greater than b. less than c. the same as
greater than
Which of the following lists is in the correct sequence from younger to older? a. Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene b. Holocene, Precambrian, Cenozoic c. Paleozoic, Cenozoic, Mesozoic d. Tertiary, Quaternary, Cretaceous
Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene
Which of the following is not true of geothermal energy? a. It could be used everywhere. b. It's in use in Iceland, Japan, and California. c. Loss of aquifer pressure and groundwater drawdown can reduce production over time. d. It can be used to produce both heat and electricity.
It could be used everywhere.
Which of the following is incorrect regarding Earth's inner core? a. It has a density of 13.5 grams per cm3. b. It is solid iron in composition. c. It is the source of Earth's magnetic field. d. It is about 1230 km (760 mi.) thick.
It is the source of Earth's magnetic field.
Who first proposed the theory of uniformitarianism? a. Plato b. James Hutton c. Charles Darwin d. Albert Wegner
James Hutton
Mafic minerals are __________ minerals. a. dark colored, high density b. dark colored, low density c. light colored, high density d. light colored, low density
dark colored, high density
Terranes refer to a. the topography of a tract of land. b. the "lay of the land." c. displaced and migrating pieces of Earth's crust. d. the continental shields within each continent.
displaced and migrating pieces of Earth's crust.
The area at the surface directly above the subsurface location where seismic waves are initiated is termed the a. epicenter. b. fault area. c. Richter zone. d. focus, or hypocenter.
epicenter.
Volcanic activity located away from plate boundaries is associated with a. subduction and melting of plates along collision zones. b. hot spots. c. rift zones. d. All of these.
hot spots.
The principles of buoyancy and balance, when applied to Earth's crust, helps us to explain fluctuations in Earth's outer crust, a property known as a. magnetism. b. Moho effect. c. isostasy. d. orogenesis.
isostasy.
A cinder cone is formed from relatively __________ viscosity magma with a __________ gas content. a. high; high b. high; low c. low; high d. low; low
low; high
Which of the following is matched correctly? a. granite - metamorphic b. basalt - sedimentary c. marble - metamorphic d. sandstone - igneous
marble - metamorphic
The ancient roots of mountains are usually composed of __________ rocks. a. sedimentary b. metamorphic c. igneous
metamorphic
When geologists or archaeologists dig downward into a unit of rock or sediment, they are digging "back in time." This fact is based on the principle of __________. a. uniformitarianism b. superposition c. catastrophism
superposition
Which of the following represents a surface feature whose relief is opposite that expected based on the fold pattern in the rocks of which it is composed? a. synclinal valley b. synclinal ridge c. inverted anticline d. synclinal basin
synclinal ridge
3. Watersheds are defined by a. continental divides. b. drainage divides. c. stream orders. d. fluvial units.
drainage divides.
A continuous depositional apron, or __________, may form if individual alluvial fans coalesce into one sloping surface. This feature contrasts with a __________, which is an erosional surface along a mountain front where bedrock is covered by a thin veneer of alluvium. a. bajada; pediment b. pediment; bajada c. playa; bolson d. horst; graben
bajada; pediment
In order for an atoll to form, what had to happen? a. erosion b. submergence c. tectonic upwarping d. both erosion and submergence e. both erosion and tectonic upwarping
both erosion and submergence
Natural levees are created during a. floods. b. normal flow conditions. c. low flow conditions. d. None of these-all levees are manmade
floods.
For purposes of discussing eolian processes, the wind acts like a a. solid. b. gas. c. plasma. d. fluid.
fluid.
Generally speaking, "beaches" span the zone a. between high and low spring tides. b. from several feet above high tide to several feet below low tide. c. between high and low neap tides. d. from the high tide line during a spring tide to the low tide line during a neap tide.
from several feet above high tide to several feet below low tide.
The downstream portion of a river a. generally becomes more sluggish. b. generally is of higher velocity, although it is masked by reduced turbulence. c. features greater hydraulic action than do upstream portions. d. has lower discharges than do upstream portions.
generally is of higher velocity, although it is masked by reduced turbulence.
Which of the following is not another name for an alluvial fan? a. qanat b. karex c. foggara d. gibber plain
gibber plain
The barrier islands off the Louisiana shore have been growing at fast rates in recent decades. a. True b. False
FALSE
Wind-blown loess deposits are only derived from glacial and periglacial sources. a. True b. False
FALSE
Brine water tends to occur near coastal deltas. a. True b. False
False
Abrasion is usually confined to a zone which extends up to __________ above the ground. a. 1 cm (0.39 in.) b. 1 m (3.28 ft.) c. 5 m (16.4 ft.) d. 10 m (32.4 ft.)
1 m (3.28 ft.)
5. Approximately what percentage of Earth's surface is exposed above sea level? a. 18 percent b. 29 percent c. 49 percent d. 62 percent
29 percent
The loess deposits in North America are derived from __________, and those in China are derived from __________. a. glacial and periglacial regions; glacial and periglacial regions b. glacial and periglacial regions; deserts c. deserts; glacial and periglacial regions d. deserts; deserts
glacial and periglacial regions; deserts
The suspended load of a stream consists of particles that are a. rolled and bounced along the stream bed. b. held aloft in the stream flow. c. dragged along the stream bed. d. dissolved in solution.
held aloft in the stream flow.
The concept of "orders of relief" refers to a. the ordering of surface features based on height. b. the ordering of surface features based on their time of origin. c. the scale of features. d. the rate at which stress is relieved in the crust.
the scale of features.
Which of the following is not an example of an erosional coastal landform? a. sea arch b. tombolo c. wave-cut platform d. notched cliff
tombolo
The undulating form that gives Earth's surface its character and general configuration is called a. relief. b. an order of relief. c. topography. d. crust.
topography.
An earthquake, submarine landslide, or eruption of an undersea volcano is capable of producing a a. tsunami. b. tidal wave. c. slow-moving giant swell. d. wave in the open ocean of great height.
tsunami.
The major erosional force in the desert is a. wind. b. the eolian process. c. water and fluvial processes. d. human activity.
water and fluvial processes.
Elongated, streamlined ridges aligned parallel to the most effective wind direction are called a. ventifacts. b. yardangs. c. desert pavements. d. alluvial rock structures.
yardangs
Erosion of the walls of a channel normally occurs on the outside curve of a meander. a. True b. False
TRUE
Longitudinal sand dunes are oriented parallel to the prevailing wind. a. True b. False
TRUE
The Colorado River system is experiencing a drought that is more severe than any in the historic record. a. True b. False
TRUE
The Colorado River, which carved the Grand Canyon, no longer reaches the sea because of water extraction. a. True b. False
TRUE
The coastal environment is also known as the littoral zone. a. True b. False
TRUE
Water can be considered a "universal" solvent. a. True b. False
TRUE
Which of the following is not related to coral rock formations? a. atolls b. bay barriers and barrier spits c. reefs d. barrier reefs
bay barriers and barrier spits
The largest material that can be carried by a stream is carried as a. bed load. b. suspended load. c. dissolved load. d. truck load.
bed load.
The ultimate base level is a. a drainage divide. b. a dam. c. sea level. d. All of these.
sea level.
A 50 kmph (30 mph.) wind blowing for 24 hours moves how much sand over 1m2 (1yd2) a. 10 kg (22 lbs.) b. 50 kg (110 lbs.) c. 500 kg (1100 lbs.) d. 1000 kg (2200 lbs.) e. 2000 kg (44000 lbs.)
1000 kg (2200 lbs.)
The average elevation of exposed land is a. -2070 m (-6790 ft.). b. 100 m (325 ft.). c. 875 m (2870 ft.). d. 8848 m (29,028 ft.).
875 m (2870 ft.).
The average salinity of sea water may be expressed as a. 3.5 percent, or 35 parts per thousand. b. 35,000 parts per million. c. 35 grams per kilogram. d. All of these are correct. e. None of these are correct as stated.
All of these are correct.
Which of the following is incorrect regarding floodplains? a. They are formed by recurrent flooding in the area adjacent to the stream. b. Natural levees on either side of a stream are formed during times when the stream is at flood stage and overflows the bank. c. They are generally low-lying areas. d. They are characterized by rapids and low waterfalls.
They are characterized by rapids and low waterfalls.
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. an estuary b. an alluvial terrace c. a delta d. a stream terrace
a delta
Relatively small dunes that are crescentic in shape are termed __________ dunes. a. barchan b. star c. longitudinal d. seif
barchan
Desertification is not caused by which of the following? a. overgrazing b. climate change c. erosion and salinization of crop land d. deforestation e. All of these
All of these
Which of the following is true of worldwide sea level? a. Over the long term, levels have been very constant. b. Changes in sea level are usually unrelated to tectonic processes. c. Changes seem to occur without any relation to global average temperatures. d. It was about 130 m (430 ft.) lower 18,000 B.P., and about 10 cm lower 100 years or so ago.
It was about 130 m (430 ft.) lower 18,000 B.P., and about 10 cm lower 100 years or so ago.
Which of the following is incorrect? a. The highest mountain above sea level has an elevation of 8848 m (29,028 ft.). b. The greatest ocean depth is -11,030 m (-36,198 ft.). c. The ratio of land area to ocean area is approximately 140 to 360 million km (or, 1:2.5). d. Mean sea level is at 875 m (2870 ft.).
Mean sea level is at 875 m (2870 ft.).
The often-sited work on eolian processes is The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes written by a. William Morris Davis. b. John Wesley Powell. c. Ralph A. Bagnold. d. Edward Abbey.
Ralph A. Bagnold.
Which of the following is true of New Orleans and the passage of Hurricane Katrina? a. Only one levee was breached. b. The flood protection features failed only after their design-failure limits were reached. c. Sections of New Orleans are below sea level. d. Six investigations found that the protection system was flawless.
Sections of New Orleans are below sea level.
A significant seismic sea wave occurs an average of every 3.5 years in the Pacific Basin. a. True b. False
TRUE
Approximately two thirds (66 percent) of the world's population lives in or near a coastal region. a. True b. False
TRUE
Barrier islands can migrate. a. True b. False
TRUE
Deforestation in the headwater regions of a river can cause the river to flood more frequently in downstream areas. a. True b. False
TRUE
Which of the following is not true of tides? a. The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth is greater than that of the Sun's. b. Inertia produces a bulge on the side of Earth opposite that of the Moon. c. Tidal bulges rotate with Earth; i.e., they move with the landmasses as Earth rotates. d. The tidal bulge located on the side of Earth opposite that of the Moon results from the fact that it is "left in position" while the water on the side facing the Moon is drawn toward the Moon. e. Most places on Earth experience two high tides and two low tides each day.
Tidal bulges rotate with Earth; i.e., they move with the landmasses as Earth rotates.
Marco Island, Florida, is used in the text as an example of a. a natural, protected mangrove environment that was saved by planning using a GIS approach. b. a mangrove ecosystem completely urbanized. c. a coral atoll. d. a nature preserve.
a mangrove ecosystem completely urbanized.
If you wanted to build a structure on a river bank-especially one that flows through unconsolidated sediments-you should build the structure __________ to maximize its lifetime. a. along the cutbank b. above the point bar c. in a delta d. Any of these is equally safe.
above the point bar
If the capacity of a stream is exceeded, __________ will occur. a. downcutting b. erosion of valley walls c. aggradation d. both downcutting and erosion of valley walls
aggradation
The construction of a dam across a river is likely to cause __________ upstream and __________ downstream. a. erosion; aggradation b. erosion; erosion c. aggradation; erosion d. aggradation; aggradation
aggradation; erosion
Which of the following is an example of a first order of relief? a. the Alps and Rockies b. the Tibetan Plateau c. the Shenandoah Valley d. an ocean basin
an ocean basin
A cutoff on a meandering stream results in the formation of a. an oxbow lake. b. a levee. c. a point bar. d. a terrace. e. a braided stream.
an oxbow lake.
Addition of more dams on the Colorado River would result in __________ available water because __________. a. more; of the obvious fact that dams create reservoirs which store water that would otherwise flow into the sea b. less; some of the impounded water would seep into rock and become unavailable c. less; some of the water would evaporate d. both less; some of the impounded water would seep into rock and become unavailable and less; some of the water would evaporate
both less; some of the impounded water would seep into rock and become unavailable and less; some of the water would evaporate
From inland to the ocean, which sequence of zones is correct? a. nearshore, backshore, coast b. beach, surf zone, coast c. coast, backshore, foreshore, nearshore d. ocean, beach, cliffs
coast, backshore, foreshore, nearshore
So-called "sleeper waves" result from a. earthquakes. b. volcanic eruptions. c. submarine landslides. d. constructive, in-phase interference.
constructive, in-phase interference.
The nucleus of old crystalline rock in each of the principal continental masses is called a a. basalt mass. b. continental shield, or craton. c. mountain mass. d. composite zone.
continental shield, or craton.
The effect of urbanization on a typical stream hydrograph is to a. create a base flow. b. increase lag time between storm peak and peak stream discharge. c. decrease runoff. d. decrease lag time between storm peak and peak stream discharge.
decrease lag time between storm peak and peak stream discharge.
Which is typical of a rejuvenated system? a. entrenched meanders b. oxbow lakes c. increased downcutting d. terraces e. entrenched meanders, increased downcutting, and terraces only
entrenched meanders, increased downcutting, and terraces only
Buttes, mesas, and inselbergs represent a. pinnacles of rock and rock masses that were uplifted by compressional forces. b. erosional remnants of a once extensive and continuous rock layer. c. erosional remnants of vertically tilted strata. d. the erosional remnants of volcanoes (i.e., volcanic necks).
erosional remnants of a once extensive and continuous rock layer.
Brine water results from a. the influx of river water into the ocean. b. stagnation of water in a floodplain swamp. c. high evapotranspiration rates. d. heavy rainfall and low temperatures.
high evapotranspiration rates.
A squeeze-and-release action works to loosen and lift rocks in a stream channel. This is an example of a. deposition. b. hydraulic action. c. abrasion. d. suspension.
hydraulic action.
Which of the following grain sizes is most readily moved by the wind? a. large b. intermediate c. small
intermediate
The formation of desert pavement a. involves both wind and water. b. is produced by abrasion only. c. is not related to deflation. d. involves wind processes only.
involves both wind and water.
Which side of a dune typically has a slope angle equal to that of the angle of repose for sand? a. windward b. leeward c. stoss d. top
leeward
5. A general term for the coastal environment is a. shoreline. b. coast. c. coastline. d. littoral zone.
littoral zone.
About 2 percent of the oceanic mass comprises the a. mixing zone of blended solutes and temperatures. b. deep cold zone that is near freezing. c. thermocline transition zone. d. bottom-most layers of each ocean basin that are surprisingly warmer than surface layers.
mixing zone of blended solutes and temperatures.
An interruption in a stream's graded profile of equilibrium is called a a. gradation. b. longitudinal interruption. c. base level. d. nickpoint.
nickpoint.
The spatial distribution of Earth's dry regions are attributable to all of the following factors except a. subtropical high-pressure cells between 15° and 35° N and S latitudes. b. rain shadows to the lee of mountain ranges. c. the equatorial low-pressure region and the ITCZ. d. great distances from moisture-bearing air masses.
the equatorial low-pressure region and the ITCZ.
A crescent-shaped dune with anchoring vegetation is called a a. barchanoid ridge. b. longitudinal dune. c. parabolic dune. d. reversing dune.
parabolic dune.
Steep slopes and some relief generally produce which drainage pattern? a. dendritic b. deranged c. parallel d. annular
parallel
Linear dunes and seif dunes are oriented a. parallel to the wind. b. perpendicular to the wind. c. randomly in relation to wind direction.
perpendicular to the wind.
In order to reestablish eroding beaches, some municipalities deposit sand on the beach using trucks. In the process, known as beach nourishment, the beach front may be steepened relative to its original slope. Based on the relationship between beach slope and wave type, you know that this restoration process will result in the generation of __________. a. small breakers that will maintain the beach b. small breakers that will build the beach up even more in a cycle of positive feedback c. plunging breakers that will erode the newly deposited sand d. plunging breakers that will maintain the beach
plunging breakers that will erode the newly deposited sand
Vertical elevation differences in a local landscape are referred to as a. relief. b. an order of relief. c. topography. d. crust.
relief.
A sea stack (i.e., an isolated pillar of rock located offshore) is the erosional remnant of a a. volcanic neck. b. spit. c. tombolo. d. rocky headland.
rocky headland.
Over the past 5000 years, the Mississippi River has produced how many distinct deltaic formations? a. only the present formation has existed b. two c. seven d. fifteen
seven
As regards wetlands, which of the following is correctly matched? a. salt marsh - between the equator and the 30th parallel in both hemispheres b. salt marsh - poleward of the 30th parallel in either hemisphere c. mangrove swamps - poleward of the 30th parallel in either hemisphere d. salt marshes - low productivity due to the salinity
salt marsh - poleward of the 30th parallel in either hemisphere
Which of the following terms is not a correct reference to a desert pavement? a. gibber plain b. lag gravels c. sand seas d. reg desert
sand seas
Small sized sand that is blown in a strong wind will produce ripples that are a. closely spaced. b. widely spaced. c. It is impossible to say what the spacing will be because there is no relationship between ripple spacing, sand size, and wind velocity.
widely spaced.
Which of the following is matched correctly? a. 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - granitic crust b. 4.7 grams per cubic centimeter - upper mantle c. 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter - asthenosphere d. 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - oceanic crust
3.3 grams per cubic centimeter - asthenosphere, 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - oceanic crust
The thickness of Earth's crust ranges from a. 5 km to 60 km (3 mi. to 37 mi.). b. 70 km to 250 km (43 mi. to 155 mi.). c. the surface to an unknown depth. d. the surface down to 2900 km (1800 mi.).
5 km to 60 km (3 mi. to 37 mi.).
The average length of a period during which a given magnetic field polarity exists is about a. 1,000 years. b. 500,000 years. c. 400 million years. d. 1 billion years.
500,000 years.
Soils formed from loess tend to be infertile. a. True b. False
FALSE
Many of the islands of Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Borneo), which are located adjacent to a subduction zone next to the edge of the continental shelf of SE Asia, consist of felsic lava. This means that the lava which produces these islands is derived from a. a midocean ridge. b. a volcanic hot spot under the ocean floor. c. the melting of continental shelf material along with ocean floor material. d. the melting of subducted plate material and nothing else. e. a rift zone.
the melting of continental shelf material along with ocean floor material.
Fault types are defined by a. the relative motion of the hanging wall and footwall. b. the amount of movement along the hanging wall and footwall. c. the amount of energy liberated during movement. d. All of these,
the relative motion of the hanging wall and footwall.
Domes can be formed by a. extinct volcanoes. b. upwarping associated with plate collisions. c. downwarping associated with plate collisions. d. upwarping associated with magma movement (i.e., plutonic activity).
upwarping associated with magma movement (i.e., plutonic activity).
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
weathering, erosion, transport, deposition
The word spatial refers to a. the nature and character of physical space. b. items that relate specifically to society. c. things that are unique and special. d. eras of time.
the nature and character of physical space. /N "Geography" literally means a. place memorization. b. the study of rocks. c. map making. d. to write (about) Earth. to write (about) Earth. /N The science of physical geography is based on the realization that a. nature is homogenous and spatially undifferentiated. b. knowledge of spatial distributions is of little value in understanding nature. c. nature can best be described and understood as a set of interrelated components through which matter and energy flow. d. humans have no significant impact on the physical phenomena that occur in nature. nature can best be described and understood as a set of interrelated components through which matter and energy flow. /N Geography is not a. eclectic. b. holistic. c. unscientific. unscientific. /N As we burn fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide, the temperature of our planet and the oceans will increase. When the oceans warm they will release more carbon dioxide, further warming the planet and oceans. If this occurs rapidly and causes a sudden rise in temperature, a(n) __________ has been crossed and that the planet has moved into a state of __________. a. input level; equilibrium b. input level; disequilibrium c. threshold; equilibrium d. threshold; disequilibrium threshold; disequilibrium /N Which of the following is true of models? a. They are abstract representations of the world. b. They are idealized representations of the world. c. They are simplified representations of the world. d. All of these are true. e. They are abstract representations of the world and They are idealized representations of the world only All of these are true. /N The oblateness of Earth occurs at the a. poles. b. equator. c. subtropics. d. prime meridian. poles. /N The diameter of Earth is largest when measured around the a. poles. b. equator. c. subtropics. d. prime meridian. equator. /N An angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian from the center of Earth is termed a. longitude. b. latitude. c. zenith. d. Greenwich distance. longitude. /N How far north you live from the equator is measured as your __________, whereas an imaginary line marking all those places at that same distance north of the equator is called a __________. a. longitude; meridian b. meridian; longitude c. latitude; parallel d. parallel; latitude e. location; place latitude; parallel /N Latitude is a. the angular distance measured north or south of the equator. b. the angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian. c. the basis for establishing meridians. d. portrayed on a globe as lines that cross the equator at right angles. the angular distance measured north or south of the equator. /N Longitude is a. an angular distance measured north or south of the equator. b. an angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian. c. the basis for establishing parallels. d. determined by Sun altitude above the horizon. an angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian. /N Travelers flying west from Los Angeles (118° W) to Tokyo (139° E) will cross the __________ and, as a result, they will __________ when crossing this meridian. a. International Dateline; gain a day (Example: Sunday becomes Saturday.) b. International Dateline; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.) c. prime meridian; gain a day (Example: Sunday becomes Saturday.) d. prime meridian; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.) International Dateline; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.) /N A great circle is a. any parallel of latitude. b. the longest distance between two places on the surface of Earth. c. a circle of circumference whose center coincides with the center of Earth. d. a correct magnetic compass direction on a flat map. a circle of circumference whose center coincides with the center of Earth. /N The larger the scale of a map, the __________ the area covered by the map and the __________ detail it provides. a. larger; more b. larger; less c. smaller; more d. smaller; less smaller; more /N Which of the following describes the property of equal area on a map? a. equivalence b. conformality c. proximity d. equidistance equivalence /N On the Mercator projection, areas at high latitudes appear __________. a. larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator b. smaller than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator c. the same size as areas of the same size located nearer to the equator larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator /N Because of the type of distortion that occurs on a Mercator map, which of the following must be true? a. The map scale changes from one part of the map to another. b. One inch near the equator does not cover the same amount of distance as one inch near the poles. c. One square inch near the equator does not cover the same amount of area as one square inch near the poles. d. All of these are true. e. None of these are true-there is no distortion in a Mercator projection. All of these are true. /N A planimetric map a. shows great circles as straight lines. b. shows horizontal positions of various features such as boundaries and land uses. c. is an outmoded form of mapping that is no longer of value. d. shows vertical dimensions. shows horizontal positions of various features such as boundaries and land uses. /N Remote sensing is a. a subjective determination of temperature. b. the monitoring of a distant object without physical contact. c. an earthbound technique not used in modern satellites. d. based on the principle that surfaces must be physically handled and directly measured for study. the monitoring of a distant object without physical contact. /N
Which of the following is not true regarding Earth's magnetic field? a. It causes magnetic particles in cooling magma to align with magnetic field lines. b. Transition periods, during which reversals occur, last an average of about 4000 to 8000 years. c. Earth's magnetic field will probably reverse in the next few thousand years. d. A given field orientation can last billions of years.
A given field orientation can last billions of years.
Which of the following supports the continental drift concept? a. magnetic field patterns preserved in the rocks b. plant and animal fossil records c. radiometric dating of rocks on either side of a spreading center d. All of these support the theory. e. None of these is valid evidence of continental drift.
All of these support the theory.
Which of the following is a cause of warping? a. mantle convection b. hot spots c. isostatic adjustment d. All of these.
All of these.
According to currently accepted scientific theories, Earth is never affected by catastrophes. a. True b. False
FALSE
As the potential evapotranspiration increases, salinity decreases. a. True b. False
FALSE
Earth's magnetic field is generated from within the entire planet, rather than in a specific region of Earth's interior. a. True b. False
FALSE
Geologically speaking, the continents began forming relatively recently. a. True b. False
FALSE
Ocean floor is continuously destroyed in rift zones. a. True b. False
FALSE
The deepest places in the ocean are those in which rifting occurs. a. True b. False
FALSE
Uniformitarianism holds that all geologic change affecting Earth's surface requires immense amounts of time to occur. a. True b. False
FALSE
An earthquake with a high rating on the moment magnitude scale can receive a low rating on the Mercalli scale. a. True b. False
TRUE
Compressional forces associated with converging plates produce blocks that move upward relative to the footwall block; this is called a thrust or reverse fault. a. True b. False
TRUE
Earth's magnetic field has reversed nine times in the last four million years. a. True b. False
TRUE
Endogenic processes cause warping, folding, faulting, and uplift of Earth's surface. a. True b. False
TRUE
Felsic magma produces more violent eruptions that mafic magma. a. True b. False
TRUE
The oldest rocks on Earth are between 3.96 and 4.3 billion years old. a. True b. False
TRUE
Water is essential to the formation of a desert pavement. a. True b. False
TRUE
Which of the following is true? a. The age of the sea floor is the same in most areas of the ocean. b. The age of the sea floor does not follow a discernable pattern. c. The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a midocean ridge. d. The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a trench. e. The oldest sea floor material is several billion years in age.
The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a midocean ridge.
The presence of 180-million-year-old salt domes in the Gulf Coast region of the United States indicates that a. the area was once volcanically active. b. the area was subjected to plate collisions which caused metamorphism to occur. c. subsidence is now occurring due to the withdrawal of magma from the region. d. a sea used to cover the area but subsequently evaporated. e. None of these
a sea used to cover the area but subsequently evaporated.
Volcanic activity generally does not occur a. along sea-floor spreading centers. b. around the perimeter of the Atlantic Ocean basin. c. in association with hot spots over plumes in the mantle. d. in the circum-Pacific belt.
around the perimeter of the Atlantic Ocean basin.
Small areas of high strain along a fault are termed a. asperities. b. focal points. c. elastic spots. d. fore points.
asperities.
Sand on a beach moves in a zigzag pattern when waves strike the beach __________, and this movement of material is known as __________. a. at an angle; longshore drift b. at an angle; beach drift c. head on; longshore drift d. head on; beach drift
at an angle; beach drift
Which of the following channel characteristics adjusts in response to changes in energy of flow and sediment load in the channel? a. channel slope b. channel width and depth c. both channel slope and channel width and depth d. None of these-river channel form is controlled exclusively by the type of rock or sediment through which the river flows
both channel slope and channel width and depth
Which of the following is not a member of the silicate family of minerals? a. quartz b. calcite c. feldspars d. clay minerals
calcite
People often say that California is going to "fall into the ocean,". This idea is totally wrong because the San Andreas fault would have to be a __________ fault associated with __________ forces for this to happen. a. normal; tension b. normal; compression c. reverse; tension d. reverse; compression e. strike-slip; compression
normal; tension
The three most abundant elements in Earth's crust are a. rock, water, and tectonics. b. magnesium, potassium, and oxygen. c. iron, aluminum, and granite. d. oxygen, silicon, and aluminum.
oxygen, silicon, and aluminum.
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from a. dead marine organisms. b. plant remains c. metamorphosed mafic minerals. d. blue-green algae.
plant remains
During the past ice age, landmasses were generally a. pressed down into the asthenosphere by the load of ice. b. elevated, because ice is lighter than rock. c. unaffected by the climatic conditions of the time. d. more exposed to the atmosphere.
pressed down into the asthenosphere by the load of ice.
Which of the following is the fuel for continental drift and plate tectonics? a. nuclear fusion b. radioactive decay c. solar energy d. chemical reactions in Earth's core
radioactive decay
The heat that drives the tectonic cycle is derived from a. nuclear fusion. b. radioactive decay. c. chemical reactions. d. sunlight.
radioactive decay.
The magma, which fuels and produces the volcanic activity around the Pacific Ring of Fire, is derived from the a. magma extruded from rift zones, which are developing along the Pacific Rim. b. rise of material that was melted in subduction zones along the Pacific margins. c. rise of magma from hot spots, such as those which formed the Hawaiian Islands. d. rise of magma along transform faults.
rise of material that was melted in subduction zones along the Pacific margins.
Pebbles can be moved by __________ in a process known as __________. a. deflation; saltation b. deflation; surface creep c. saltating particles; deflation d. saltating particles; surface creep
saltating particles; surface creep
Bed load is moved by a. saltation. b. traction. c. suspension. d. All of these. e. saltation and traction only.
saltation and traction only.
What type of rock is derived from the bits and pieces of former rocks? a. sedimentary b. metamorphic c. igneous d. hydrothermal
sedimentary
If you were driving down the highway and saw mountains composed of layered strata, you could be confident that you were looking at a. sedimentary rocks. b. extrusive igneous rock. c. a shield volcano. d. batholiths or laccoliths.
sedimentary rocks.
Which of the following is true of the magma formed from subducted ocean floor material that is eventually incorporated into continental crust? a. The composition of the magma changes from a low silica content to a higher silica content by the incorporation of sediments and other materials when it melts. b. The magma that forms in this way tends to produce more violent volcanic eruptions than magma derived directly from the aesthenosphere. c. Batholiths may form from the rising magma. d. All of these may occur. e. The composition of the magma changes from a low silica content to a higher silica content by the incorporation of sediments and other materials when it melts and The magma that forms in this way tends to produce more violent volcanic eruptions than magma derived directly from the aesthenosphere only
All of these may occur.
Significant loess deposits are found in the a. Mississippi and Missouri valleys. b. eastern Washington region. c. Ukraine in the former Soviet Union. d. Loess Plateau of China, some 300,000 km2 (115,800 mi2). e. All of these regions contain loess.
All of these regions contain loess.
Which of the following is incorrectly matched? a. rills - small-scale grooves in the land surface b. drainage divides - ridges that control the direction of drainage c. Allegheny and Missouri rivers - form the Monongahela at Pittsburgh d. Delaware River basin - comprised of parts of five states
Allegheny and Missouri rivers - form the Monongahela at Pittsburgh
Which of the following is not true regarding Earth's oceans? a. Development on Marco Island was prevented due to sensitive mangrove habitat. b. 50% of Earth's population lives in coastal areas. c. 50% of the oceans' coastlines are at risk of loss or disruption. d. Coral bleaching is affecting reefs worldwide.
Development on Marco Island was prevented due to sensitive mangrove habitat.
In 1989, Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico, yet missed the South Carolina coastline. a. True b. False
FALSE
Rivers have played a relatively minor role in the geography of human history. a. True b. False
FALSE
Rivers make excellent political boundaries given that they are obvious, clearly defined landform features. a. True b. False
FALSE
The Amazon River, the world's largest in stream discharge, has built an enormous arcuate delta into the Atlantic. a. True b. False
FALSE
Which of the following is not true of alluvial fans? a. They often serve as good sources of groundwater. b. They frequently occur in the eastern United States. c. The largest sized sediment is found near the top of the fan, and the smallest near the bottom. d. They are depositional features.
They frequently occur in the eastern United States.
Stream transport involves all of the following except a. saltation. b. bed load. c. traction. d. sheet flow.
sheet flow.
In which region of the United States. are eolian processes most effective? a. northeast b. southeast c. northwest d. southwest
southwest
