ch 17 reading quiz

The hottest verified Earth temperature, measured at 136°F, was in Australia. Libya, Africa. the Atacama, Chile/Peru. Great Plains, USA.

Libya, Africa.

Which of the following is a desert LEAST likely to have? a location at 10° N latitude a location at 80° N latitude low annual rainfall abundant but sporadic rainfall

a location at 10° N latitude

A 19th-century explorer crossing a desert has run out of water. He has the best chance of surviving if he can find a rain shadow. an ephemeral stream. an oasis. a playa.

an oasis.

Which of the following describes a type of dune? hogbacks and cuestas. dip slopes. mesas, buttes, and chimneys. barchans.

barchans.

Which of the following is NOT the result of wind erosion? lag deposits calcrete deflation basins ventifacts

calcrete

Moderate wind can produce faceted rocks (ventifacts). deposits dust and silt in elongate ridges called dunes. piles fine sediment into hills called lag deposits. carves cliff bases into triangular alluvial fans.

can produce faceted rocks (ventifacts).

Choose the FALSE statement. Because of typical convection cell movement in the atmosphere hot, moist air close to the equator rises. rising air expands and cools. cooled air spreads north and south and its moisture condenses out in latitude zones between 20° and 30° north and south. cooled sinking air absorbs moisture from the area below.

cooled air spreads north and south and its moisture condenses out in latitude zones between 20° and 30° north and south.

All deserts are hot. sandy. dry. located in the tropics.

dry.

In which of the following desert environments would you find the most sand? playa reg hamada erg

erg

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of deserts? thick soils flash floods abundant organic matter (humus) fast chemical reactions due to high temperatures

flash floods

Which feature might result where wind erosion acts on alternating layers of resistant and nonresistant rock? desert pavement talus hoodoo mesa

hoodoo

The subtropics lie between 5° and 15° latitude, both north and south of the equator. are climate belts where cloud cover blocks incoming solar radiation. are areas of hot, dry rising air currents. host the world's largest deserts, including the Sahara and Kalahari.

host the world's largest deserts, including the Sahara and Kalahari.

Identify the FALSE statement. Deserts can form in continental interiors, where moist air masses cannot reach. on the inland side of mountain ranges, due to the formation of a rain shadow. in polar regions, because temperatures are so cold. near cold ocean currents, because the overlying cool air cannot hold much moisture.

in polar regions, because temperatures are so cold.

The Gobi desert, in the interior of Asia, is the largest present-day example of a desert that formed in the interior of a continent. due to the Humboldt Current. in a polar region. at a low latitude, and at a low elevation.

in the interior of a continent.

Choose the FALSE statement. Desertification is the process of transforming nondesert areas to desert. is a natural phenomenon; if left alone, Earth's climate fluctuations are minor, and deserts and nondeserts remain constant. increases with increasing human population. is geologically quick; it can happen within a few decades.

is a natural phenomenon; if left alone, Earth's climate fluctuations are minor, and deserts and nondeserts remain constant.

Identify the FALSE statement. Desert varnish is a product of physical weathering over time, as grains pelt the surface of desert rocks. is a dark, rust-brown surface coating of iron oxide, manganese oxide, and clay. is enhanced when bacteria chemically alter wind-deposited surface dust. can be chipped away to create light-colored petroglyphs.

is a product of physical weathering over time, as grains pelt the surface of desert rocks.

Identify the FALSE statement. Sand dunes migrate as sand rolls up the lee face of the dune and rolls down the windward side. may be stabilized if they are covered with vegetation. in cross-sectional view show cross beds of sand. have ripples on their surfaces.

migrate as sand rolls up the lee face of the dune and rolls down the windward side.

Which is NOT a term for a dry-water channel or basin? wadi wash arroyo mirage

mirage

Choose the FALSE statement. Strong winds can move surface load by saltation. raise large grains, like sand and pebbles, several kilometers high and carry them downwind hundreds of kilometers. create vortices that lift fine sediment as dust devils. round and frost sand grains by knocking them together.

raise large grains, like sand and pebbles, several kilometers high and carry them downwind hundreds of kilometers.

Which term has nothing to do with temporary desert lakes? halite playas gypsum reg

reg

Which type of sand dunes would form where there's abundant sand totally covering the ground surface and only moderate winds? barchan star-shaped transverse parabolic

transverse