Earth Science: Chapter 10 Assessment

Of the following materials, which is the most porous?

a well-sorted sand

What does hard water usually contain?

calcium

What is the major source of freshwater in the US?

groundwater

Where is groundwater closest to the Earth's surface?

in stream valleys

What happens to most of the precipitation that falls on land?

it evaporates

Which rock type is most easily dissolved by groundwater?

limestone

What is the main characteristic of an aquifer?

permeability

Where is most freshwater found on Earth?

polar ice caps and glaciers

What source usually replenishes groundwater?

precipitation

Which of the following is a common groundwater problem in coastal areas?

saltwater contamination

Of the following materials, which is the most permeable?

sandstone

Which of the following are typical features of karst topography?

sinkholes

What are the cone-shaped dripstone deposits that are found on the floor of caves?

stalagmites

What do artesian quifers always contain?

water under pressure