Final Exam Geo
A (an) __________________plain is formed from water-laid sediment left by streams carrying water away from a glacier. a) pluvial b) ground moraine c) outwash d) lateral moraine d) recessional moraine
c) outwash
As water flow increases, a stream flowing in a channel that is cut into thick layers of alluvium will easily deepen its channel.
True
Coral reef coasts occur in water that is warm, near the surface, and free of suspended sediment.
True
Drainage basin size is the most important factor in the delay in discharge response to heavy rain.
True
High rates of erosion by overland flow occur occasionally in semiarid or arid regions.
True
In the early stages of stream gradation, the capacity of the stream exceeds the load supplied to it.
True
Lobes of ice flowing from the Laurentide ice sheet spread around an area in Wisconsin known as the Driftless Area.
True
Loess is of major importance in world agricultural resources.
True
Mass wasting in which water-saturated soil and regolith slowly flows downhill is referred to as an earthflow.
True
How does urbanization impact streamflow? a) Urbanization increases the amount of permeable surface b) Overland flow across the urban area decreases c) Storm sewers slow the rate at which water is delivered to nearby rivers and streams d) Recharge of groundwater beneath the urban area is reduced e) The frequency and height of flood peaks after heavy storms is reduced
d) Recharge of groundwater beneath the urban area is reduced
The movement of water in all of its physical states in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans is called the hydrologic cycle.
True
The term "slope" designates a strip or patch of the land surface that is inclined from the horizontal.
True
The uppermost layer of a glacier is brittle, but the lower layers of ice behave as a plastic substance.
True
Transverse dunes form a sand sea of frozen "wave" forms arranged perpendicular to the wind direction.
True
When the floor of a trough open to the sea lies below sea level, the seawater enters as the ice front recedes, forming a fiord.
True
The drainage pattern that has a pattern that looks like a branching tree is called _________. a) dendritic b) trellis c) annular d) radial
a) dendritic
Stream ____________ is the progressive removal of mineral material from the floor and sides of the channel, whether bedrock or regolith. a) erosion b) transportation c) deposition d) load e) capacity
a) erosion
Where a river runs into an ocean bay, the bay is termed a(n) _________________. a) estuary b) shoreline c) coast d) coastline e) recreational area
a) estuary
A narrow, steep-sided, elongated estuary formed from a glacial trough inundated by seawater is referred to as a/an ____________. a) fiord b) esker c) horn d) arête e) tarn
a) fiord
Which of the following conditions would be most consistent with the characteristics of a good aquifer? a) high porosity and high permeability b) high porosity and low permeability c) low porosity and high permeability d) low porosity and low permeability e) not enough information to determine
a) high porosity and high permeability
The erosive force of flowing water is referred to as _____________. a) hydraulic action b) abrasion c) corrosion d) sliding e) turbulence
a) hydraulic action
The absorption of water by a soil, delivered by light or moderate rain, is ______________. a) infiltration b) runoff c) overland flow d) discharge e) base flow
a) infiltration
Which of the following is a form of chemical weathering? a) oxidation b) frost cracking c) salt-crystal growth d) biotic wedging e) all of the above
a) oxidation
Which one of the following dune shapes is correctly matched with the conditions that led to its formation? a) parabolic - moist wind and vegetation b) transverse - limited supply of sand c) barchan - availability of abundant sand d) star - consistent wind direction
a) parabolic - moist wind and vegetation
The small spaces between mineral grains are called _______. a) pores b) flow c) slump d) regolith e) soil
a) pores
Which of the following rocks and minerals would be most resistant to chemical weathering? a) quartz b) dolomite c) limestone d) calcite e) carbonate
a) quartz
A deeply embayed coast formed by partial submergence of a landmass previously shaped by fluvial erosion would be classified as a _____________. a) ria coast b) barrier island coast c) fault coast d) fiord coast e) delta coast
a) ria coast
Lakes without outlets, other than evaporation, often show ______________. a) salt buildup b) lesser surface area c) silty bottoms d) reduced volumes e) flooding
a) salt buildup
Stream discharge at a location on a stream is determined by noting the height or _________. a) stage b) volume c) aspect d) gauge e) bed
a) stage
A drowned river mouth indicates which of the following types of coastline? a) submergent coast b) emergent coast c) depositional coast d) erosional coast e) barrier
a) submergent coast
The rock waste associated with land disturbances such as excavations and strip mining is referred to as _____________. a) tailings b) scree c) talus d) regolith e) alluvium
a) tailings
Which of the following types of till is an unstratified mixture of rock fragments ranging in size from clay to boulders? a) till b) stratified drift c) ground moraine d) lodgment till e) ablation till
a) till
A landform that creates a link between an offshore island and the mainland is a (an) ______________ a) tombolo b) baymouth bar c) stack c) offshore bar e) atoll
a) tombolo
Backwash, as it flows back down a beach, may also be referred to as a/an ________. a) undercurrent b) littoral drift c) beach drift d) longshore current e) longshore drift
a) undercurrent
Saltation is ______________________. a) the accumulation of salts in the upper parts of a soil b) the bouncing of grains of material along the surface c) the erosion of material by its rubbing together with material of a similar size d) the mechanism that puts dust and debris into the atmosphere in extremely windy conditions e) where wind has removed loose sand and material to leave a hollow behind
b) the bouncing of grains of material along the surface
Clay and silt are carried by a stream _____________________. a) as a component of the dissolved load b) as suspended load c) as ions in the dissolved load d) as bed load e) under certain conditions
b) as suspended load
A coastline with a broad zone of shallow water offshore, or lagoon, shut off from the ocean by a deposit would be classified as a _______. a) ria coast b) barrier island coast c) fault coast d) fiord coast e) delta coast
b) barrier island coast
In the figure below, the __________stream is common in areas of glaciers. a) meandering b) braided c) anastomosing d) straight e) oxbow lake
b) braided
In the figure below, what type of weathering is being shown? a) exfoliation b) carbonation c) root wedging d) frost cracking e) sheet jointing
b) carbonation
Streamflow discharge quantities (Q) are measured in ____________ . a) cps b) cfs c) hours d) days e) annual precipitation
b) cfs
The stream erosion process in which certain rocks and minerals are dissolved in the water is called _______________. a) abrasion b) corrosion c) saltation d) traction e) suspension
b) corrosion
When mudflows pick up rocks and boulders, they are called ___________. a) slides b) debris flows c) creep d) scarification
b) debris flows
Slumping is an example of a _________________. a) creep movement b) earthflow movement c) slide movement d) fall movement e) solifluction
b) earthflow movement
Landforms shaped by progressive removal of the bedrock mass are __________________ landforms. a) initial b) erosional c) fluvial d) ablation e) depositional
b) erosional
Which of the following particle sizes composes large dust storms, like the one pictured below, that extend hundreds of meters off the ground? a) pebbles b) fine dust c) sand d) sand and pebbles e) gravel
b) fine dust
The granular compacted old snow that forms glacial ice is properly referred to as _________. a) ice b) firn c) surge d) basal ice e) crevasse
b) firn
Which is the best term to describe all the varieties of rock debris that are deposited by glaciers? a) stratified drift b) glacial drift c) ground moraine d) lodgment till e) ablation till
b) glacial drift
Which of the following types of till best describes all varieties of rock debris deposited in close association with glaciers? a) lateral till b) glacial drift c) ground moraine d) lodgment till e) ablation till
b) glacial drift
Subsurface water contained in pore spaces in regolith and bedrock is known as __________. a) water table b) groundwater c) aquifer d) aquiclude e) transpiration
b) groundwater
A peak formed by the intersection of a number of ridges produced by alpine glaciers is referred to as a/an _______________. a) arête b) horn c) cirque d) firn e) col
b) horn
A steep-sided depression formed in glacial till that is the result of the melting of a buried block of ice is referred to as a/an ___________. a) esker b) kettle c) pluvial lake d) nunatak e) kame
b) kettle
Basin-like hollows interspersed with knobby hills and situated in the terminal moraine are referred to as ___________. a) till plains b) kettles c) drumlins d) kames e) eskers
b) kettles
Which of the following types of moraine would you expect to find along the sides of a glacier? a) terminal b) lateral c) medial d) recessional e) knob-and- kettle
b) lateral
Which of the following indicates oxidation? a) spheroidal weathering b) red coloration of rocks and soil c) joints in rocks being opened up freezing and thawing d) the splitting of rocks by plant roots e) mass wasting
b) red coloration of rocks and soil
Which of the following types of mass movements is fastest and least dependent upon moist or saturated conditions? a) solifluction b) rockfall c) slide d) slump
b) rockfall
The feature pictured below is formed as a result of subsurface dissolution of limestone rock, which can weaken the overlying material and cause it to collapse. These resulting features are called: a) caves b) sinkholes c) aquifers d) geysers e) artesian wells
b) sinkholes
The extremely slow downhill movement of soil and regolith is called _______________. a) mass wasting b) soil creep c) solifluction d) scarification e) weathering
b) soil creep
A type of mass wasting that occurs when soils become thoroughly saturated with water and slowly flow downslope by gravity is referred to as _______________. a) slump b) solifluction c) scarification d) creep e) slide
b) solifluction
Which of the following transport processes would likely dominate in a muddy stream? a) solution b) suspension c) saltation d) traction e) abrasion
b) suspension
Which part of a sand dune typically slopes at the angle of repose of sand? a) the windward side b) the leeward side c) the outer edges d) the inner edges e) the base
b) the leeward side
Which of the following is a characteristic of barrier island coasts? a) estuaries b) tidal inlets c) groins d) delta e) estuaries
b) tidal inlets
The vertical difference between high and low tide is referred to as the ____________. a) high-water mark b) tidal range c) tidal rise d) low-water mark e) tidal gauge
b) tidal range
Dunes that form long ridges at right angles to the prevailing wind are referred to as _______. a) barchan dunes b) transverse dunes c) parabolic dunes d) star dunes e) longitudinal dunes
b) transverse dunes
A ____________ may result from the suspension of fine particles of sediment by wind over significant distances. a) ventifact b) desert pavement c) dust storm d) sand dune e) gravel bar
c) dust storm
The accumulation of excess nutrients that stimulate freshwater plant growth may lead to which of the following processes? a) salinization b) acidification c) eutrophication d) subsidence e) sublimation
c) eutrophication
Water is a major agent of weathering because of its property that, when it freezes, it decreases in density and _______________. a) evaporates b) turns white c) expands in volume d) stays in liquid form below 0° Celsius e) dissolves salts
c) expands in volume
The height above which inundation of the floodplain occurs is called the _________. a) flood level b) discharge c) flood stage d) flash flood e) base flow
c) flood stage
Venice, Italy, provides a dramatic example of __________________ because of heavy groundwater withdrawals. a) water table depletion b) building damage c) ground subsidence d) groundwater contamination e) transportation
c) ground subsidence
A succession of alternating glaciations and interglaciations, spanning a period of 1 to 10 million years or more, constitutes a(n) ____________. a) glacial period b) freezing epoch c) ice age d) interstadial e) geologic epoch
c) ice age
Behind the barrier islands of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts there exist __________, which are broad expanses of shallow water. a) salt marshes b) marine terraces c) lagoons d) tidal inlets e) bays
c) lagoons
Which of the following types of surface would not be prone to wind erosion? a) unvegetated arid materials b) loose, dry debris c) moist clay-rich soils d) coastal locations e) all of these are susceptible to wind erosion
c) moist clay-rich soils
The erosion process associated with overland flow is referred to as ___________. a) sediment yield b) splash erosion c) sheet erosion d) corrosion e) stream erosion
c) sheet erosion
Salinization refers specifically to the buildup of salts in which of the following features? a) vegetation b) streams c) soils d) rivers d) rocks
c) soils
An upward-pointing, rod-shaped structure in a limestone cave is referred to as a(n) _____ a) travertine b) column c) stalagmite d) stalactite e) uvala
c) stalagmite
The maximum solid load of debris that can be carried by a stream at a given discharge is a measure of the ____________. a) hydraulic action b) bed load c) stream capacity d) sediment yield e) geologic norm
c) stream capacity
Which of the following is a depositional coastal landform? a) marine cliff b) sea notch c) tombolo d) wave-cut platform e) sea arch
c) tombolo
When a wave approaches a beach at an oblique angle, only part of it is slowed down as it reaches shallow water. The rest of the wave continues to move at a high velocity, bending the wave. This process is called ________________. a) wave broadening b) wave reflection c) wave refraction d) wave drift e) beach drift
c) wave refraction
_______ is the extremely slow downslope granular flow of regolith. a) Solification b) Slump c) Slides d) Creep e) Flow
d) Creep
A bed of clay and shale would be an effective aquifer.
False
No glaciers are located near the Equator.
False
A cirque is a bowl-shaped depression in which snow may accumulate.
True
A ria coast is one of the types of coastline that results from the submergence or partial drowning of the coast.
True
____________ is the term for any material deposited by overland flow. a) Colluvium b) Alluvium c) Fluvium d) Sandstone e) Overburden
a) Colluvium
Of the following locations, which is not covered with an ice sheet? a) North Pole b) South Pole c) Greenland d) Antarctica e) none of these
a) North Pole
Which of the following is not a consequence of accelerated erosion as a result of vegetation loss? a) Splash erosion b) Increased herbaceous vegetation cover c) Reduced infiltration d) Reduced ability of soil to absorb water e) Greater effectiveness of overland flow
b) Increased herbaceous vegetation cover
___________ landscapes are covered with flat-bottomed valleys, sinkholes, and caverns. a) Travertine b) Karst c) Carbonate d) Dolomite e) Earth's
b) Karst
A __________ is the flat, low-lying area adjacent to a stream channel that receives overbank flow. a) flood b) floodplain c) oxbow lake d) levee e) zone of aeration
b) floodplain
A coral reef that is attached to a shoreline is referred to as a/an _____________. a) atoll b) fringing reef c) barrier reef d) barrier island e) raised shoreline
b) fringing reef
Surface runoff is also known as ____________ . a) flooding b) overland flow c) infiltration d) erosion e) streamflow
b) overland flow
Waterfalls and rapids are mostly likely associated with _________ streams. a) infant b) young c) middle-aged d) mature e) old
b) young
The ability of sand and sandstone to hold water often make it a good ____________ . a) recreational site b) construction material c) aquifer d) building location e) none of these
c) aquifer
Which of the following is most critical to weathering processes? a) salt b) oxygen c) water d) nitrogen e) lava
c) water
According to the figure below, the Ohio River eventually drains into what body of water? a) Atlantic Ocean b) Pacific Ocean c) Interior d) Gulf of Mexico e) none of these
d) Gulf of Mexico
Gullies are the eventual result of which of the following erosion processes? a) sediment yield b) splash erosion c) sheet erosion d) rill erosion e) stream erosion
d) rill erosion
Landforms shaped by ____________ are described as fluvial landforms. a) glacial ice b) wave action c) denudation d) running water e) wind erosion
d) running water
Niche formation is associated with which of the following types of weathering? a) acid action b) oxidation c) frost action d) salt-crystal growth e) granular disintegration
d) salt-crystal growth
Surface depressions that develop in a karst landscape are referred to as __________. a) uvalas b) cones c) swallow holes d) sinkholes e) caves
d) sinkholes
What is the name given to lakes that form in hollows left behind by prior alpine glaciers? a) arête b) horn c) cirque d) tarn e) col
d) tarn
Pressure and friction at the base of glaciers creates a layer of liquid water that allows the glacier to slide downhill in a motion called __________. a) slow flowage b) ablation c) glacial abrasion d) plucking e) basal sliding
e) basal sliding
The figure below illustrates a good example of a landslide.
True
_____________ (is/are) wind-transported silt that form(s) soils that can support the growth of cereal grains. a) Dunes b) Loess c) Silt d) Talc e) Barrier islands
b) Loess
Which of the following factors can negatively impact the quality of groundwater? a) high temperature incineration b) sanitary landfill disposal sites c) saltwater intrusion d) volumes of extraction that is less than recharge e) infiltration
c) saltwater intrusion
Which of the following features immediately precedes the formation of a sea stack? a) marine cliff b) abrasion platform c) sea arch d) sea notch e) sea cave
c) sea arch
Which of the following is the potential result of water table depletion? a) An increase in the base level of surrounding streams b) The water table becomes more shallow c) Volumes of groundwater increase d) A sinking of the land known as subsidence e) A decrease in the risk for groundwater contamination
d) A sinking of the land known as subsidence
Which of the following statements concerning lakes is incorrect? a) In moist climates, the water level of lakes coincides closely with the water table of the surrounding area b) Lakes can disappear due to climate changes c) Lakes receive water from streams, overland flow, and groundwater d) Lakes are generally long-lived phenomena on the geologic time scale e) Lakes are formed from an array of geologic processes
d) Lakes are generally long-lived phenomena on the geologic time scale
The difference between the cone tip and the original water table after water has been drawn from a well is known as the _________. a) recharge b) runoff c) yield d) drawdown e) withdrawal
d) drawdown
A deeply embayed, rugged coast formed by the partial submergence of glacial troughs would be classified as a ___________. a) ria coast b) barrier island coast c) fault coast d) fiord coast e) delta coast
d) fiord coast
A stream in an equilibrium condition, whereby it can just carry the average of load of sediment that it receives from slopes and inflowing channels, is referred to as a/an ________. a) gully b) meandering river c) alluvial river d) graded stream e) rill
d) graded stream
Which of the following is a depositional fluvial landform? a) cuesta b) hogback c) butte d) levee e) water gap
d) levee
When waves approach a shoreline at an angle to the beach, a current is set up parallel to the shore in a direction away from the wind. This is specifically known as the ___________. a) undercurrent b) littoral drift c) beach drift d) longshore current e) longshore drift
d) longshore current
Along stretches of shoreline affected by progradation, the beach may be seriously depleted or may have entirely disappeared.
False
At a tidal coastline, when the tide begins to rise, an ebb current has set in.
False
Barchan dunes usually are vegetated and occur singly rather than in groups.
False
Both the suspended load and bed load of rivers decrease with an increase in velocity.
False
Deflation occurs when wind deposits mineral particles to create sand dunes and sand seas.
False
Ice sheets during the last glacial maximum in North America, extended as far south as Florida and Texas.
False
In moist climates the water level of lakes does not reflect the level of the water table.
False
Water penetrating into rock and soil promotes chemical weathering by acting as a weak _______. a) acid b) base c) saline solution d) neutral agent e) none of these
a) acid
Lakes and waterfalls are geologically long-lived features.
False
Landslides are triggered by heavy rains but not by earthquakes or sudden rock failures.
False
Most deposition by glaciers occurs near the source of the ice.
False
Overland flow occurs when dry soil receives rain or snowmelt.
False
Stratified drift consists of layers of sorted and stratified clays and angular pebbles and large boulders.
False
The surface of a glacier is more plastic than ice deeper in the glacier.
False
When a stream's velocity is doubled, its ability to transport bed load is also doubled.
False
Where stream channels flow on bedrock, material is removed mostly by the process of hydraulic action.
False
Most surfaces in urban landscapes are impermeable, and therefore nearby streamflows are impacted.
True
Permafrost presently occurs in regions of Eurasia and North America even where glaciers are not currently found.
True
Pollutants from a landfill disposal site may eventually pollute nearby streams.
True
Polluted urban air may be more acidic than unpolluted rural air, leading to more rapid chemical weathering.
True
Soil creep is the term used to describe the very slow downhill movement of soil and regolith.
True
Splash erosion can cause a soil to be less able to absorb water.
True
The Aral Sea is rapidly shrinking due to the diversion of water from rivers entering the sea to irrigation.
True
Relatively small, common sand dunes that are crescent-shaped are termed ___________. a) barchans b) star dunes c) transverse dunes d) longitudinal dunes e) seif dunes
a) barchans
Which of the following statements describing the grading of a river is incorrect? a) In the final stages, lakes and waterfalls are abundant b) Initially there are large fluctuations in slope profile c) At intermediate stages, the stream profile becomes smoothed into a uniform curve d) The angle of the final graded profile is lower than in earlier stages e) At the earliest stage, there are large fluctuations in the slope profile
a) In the final stages, lakes and waterfalls are abundant
Which of the following situations is required for an artesian well? a) an aquifer between two aquicludes b) an aquiclude between two aquifers c) an aquifer positioned on top of one aquiclude d) an aquiclude positioned on top of one aquifer e) an aquifer positioned below one aquiclude
a) an aquifer between two aquicludes
A ring-like coral reef surrounding an empty lagoon is a (an) _______________. a) atoll b) berm c) tombolo d) spit e) stack
a) atoll
Crescent-shaped dunes are described as ________. a) barchan dunes b) longitudinal dunes c) star dunes d) transverse dunes
a) barchan dunes
Alluvial terraces form due to which of the following factors? a) Alluvium is deposited at different stages during gradation, thus it naturally occurs as terraces b) Resistant rock outcrops protect the deposited alluvium c) Overbank flooding carries debris to the outer edges of the valley, depositing the terraces d) Overbank flooding carries debris and deposits it adjacent to the river channel e) An uplift of the river channel that further entrenches meanders
b) Resistant rock outcrops protect the deposited alluvium
Which of the following phenomena results from water being pumped from a well? a) The surrounding water table is raised in a upward-pointing cone b) The surrounding water table is lowered in a downward-pointing cone c) The surrounding water table is raised in a cone that points upslope d) The surrounding water table is lowered in a cone that points downslope e) The surrounding water table is unaffected
b) The surrounding water table is lowered in a downward-pointing cone
The term ________ means the loss of snow and ice by evaporation and melting. a) deposition b) ablation c) deflation d) inflation e) stagnation
b) ablation
10) Stream discharge is defined as ___________________________________. a) height of water per unit time passing though a cross section of the stream at that location b) volume of water per unit time passing though a cross section of the stream at that location c) velocity of water passing though a cross section of the stream at that location d) volume of water per unit time passing though a length of the stream e) velocity of water per unit time passing though a length of the stream
b) volume of water per unit time passing though a cross section of the stream at that location
The most recent deglaciation set in around ___________ years ago. a) 200,000 b) 150,000 c) 15,000 d) 1,000 e) 500
c) 15,000
The last glaciation reached its farthest extent over North America around _________ years ago. a) 250,000 b) 180,000 c) 18,000 d) 1,000 e) 500
c) 18,000
________________ is the bouncing of materials along a stream bed. a) Solution b) Suspension c) Bed load d) Traction e) Abrasion
c) Bed load
Which of the following types of weathering affects limestone and occurs predominantly in humid areas? a) frost action b) spheroidal weathering c) acid action d) eluviation e) hydrolysis
c) acid action
The apex of a(n) ______________ lies at the mouth of a canyon or ravine. a) delta b) natural levee c) alluvial fan d) pediment e) ravine
c) alluvial fan
The general term to describe any stream-laid deposit is _______________. a) bars b) fans c) alluvium d) discharge e) colluvium
c) alluvium
The drainage pattern that you would find along a dome-shape rock would be ___________. a) dendritic b) trellis c) annular d) radial
c) annular
Salt crystal growth is best associated with which of the following climates? a) wet tropical climate b) midlatitude climates c) arid desert climates d) west coast humid climates e) cold polar climates
c) arid desert climates
Sharp, often jagged ridges that rise above ice-containing troughs and that separate adjacent glaciers or glacial valleys are called _____________. a) cirques b) kames c) arêtes d) horns e) eratics
c) arêtes
A coral reef that lies out from the shoreline is referred to as a/an __________ a) atoll b) fringing reef c) barrier reef d) barrier island e) raised shoreline
c) barrier reef
The shifting of materials up and down the coastline edge with the wash and backwash is specifically known as the _________. a) undercurrent b) littoral drift c) beach drift d) longshore current e) longshore drift
c) beach drift
A __________ stream has a low gradient, multiple threads, and a variable range of sediment loads. a) straight b) meandering c) braided d) oxbow e) none of these
c) braided
In moist climates, __________ tends to dissolve limestone near the surface, resulting in cave formation. a) hydrochloric acid b) citric acid c) carbonic acid d) phosphoric acid e) none of these
c) carbonic acid
The bowl-shaped depression at the upper end of a valley glacier is referred to as a/an _____. a) arête b) horn c) cirque d) firn e) col
c) cirque
The landform at A is a(n) ___________ a) arête b) horn c) cirque d) trough
c) cirque
The removal of loose particles from the ground by wind is termed ___________. a) abrasion b) ablation c) deflation d) blowout e) inflation
c) deflation
A smooth hill, modest in size, elliptical in shape, and which rises from a till plain is called a/an __________. a) esker b) kettle c) drumlin d) kame e) roche moutonnée
c) drumlin
Which of the following describes the order of features observed as a breaking wave approaches a coast and finally breaks? a) Wave falls forward, steepens, and rushes up the beach slope b) Wave widens, falls backward, and rushes up the beach slope c) Wave steepens, falls backward, and rushes up the beach slope d) Wave steepens, falls forward, and rushes up the beach slope e) Wave widens, falls forward, and rushes up the beach slope
d) Wave steepens, falls forward, and rushes up the beach slope
What is the name commonly given to the most recent glaciation in North American? a) Laurentide b) Cenozoic c) Pliocene d) Wisconsin e) Holocene
d) Wisconsin
The process whereby alluvium accumulates and raises the streambed is referred to as _____. a) gradation b) abrasion c) alluviation d) aggradation e) degradation
d) aggradation
The rolling or sliding of particles in a stream moves larger debris referred to collectively as the ___________. a) solution load b) stream load c) dissolved load d) bed load e) suspended load
d) bed load
Which of the following sediment loads do streams require the most energy to move? a) suspended load b) virtual load c) dissolved load d) bed load e) clays
d) bed load
A shallow depression produced as a result of deflation is referred to as a/an _________. a) sand sea b) barchan c) foredune d) blowout e) desert pavement
d) blowout
Accumulations of regolith at the foot of a slope are called ____________. a) earthflow b) scarification c) outcrop d) colluvium e) alluvium
d) colluvium
Lakes in arid regions with no surface outlet often display which of the following characteristics? a) development of bogs b) gradual decline in lake area due to the growth of vegetation c) gradual increase in water levels d) development of salt flats e) accumulation of organic sediments
d) development of salt flats
A topographic barrier that separates two drainage basins is referred to as a (an) __________. a) trunk b) brook c) network d) drainage divide e) distributary
d) drainage divide
When the valley trough of a tributary glacier lies above the main trough, a ________results. a) tarn b) cirque c) truncated spur d) hanging valley e) roche moutonnée
d) hanging valley
The relationship between stream discharge and precipitation is best studied using a _______. a) hygrometer b) graphic scale c) flood stage d) hydrograph e) flood current
d) hydrograph
Human activities can _____________ mass wasting in forms ranging from mudflow and earthflow to landslide. a) change b) predict c) hinder d) induce e) none of these
d) induce
A glacial delta composed of well-washed and well-sorted sand and gravel forms which of the following landforms? a) till plain b) kettle c) drumlin d) kame e) esker
d) kame
Which of the following types of till consists of clay-rich debris previously dragged forward beneath the moving ice? a) lateral till b) stratified drift c) ground moraine d) lodgment till e) ablation till
d) lodgment till
Which of the following processes could result in a human-induced earthflow? a) weak local geology b) heavy prolonged rain c) severe earthquake d) piling of waste soil and rock in unstable accumulation e) prolonged periods of dry conditions
d) piling of waste soil and rock in unstable accumulation
Perfectly symmetrical cone-type volcanoes would have what type of drainage pattern? a) dendritic b) trellis c) annular d) radial
d) radial
Icicle-like features suspended from the ceilings of caves are called _________. a) travertines b) columns c) stalagmites d) stalactites e) uvalas
d) stalactites
Which of the following types of moraine marks the farthest advance of a glacier? a) ground b) recessional c) medial d) terminal e) lateral
d) terminal
Which of the following features defines the upper surface of groundwater? a) the soil-water belt b) the unsaturated zone c) the saturated zone d) the water table e) the regolith
d) the water table
Minerals eroded by acid action in karst regions and then deposited on the walls of caves are known as ____________. a) calcite b) dolomite c) limestone d) travertine e) chert
d) travertine
Sometimes rocks are grooved and polished by wind-driven abrasion. These examples are often referred to as ______________. a) pebbles b) gravels c) desert pavements d) ventifacts e) alluvium
d) ventifacts
The entire surface area within a drainage basin is known as its ____________ . a) landmass b) flow potential c) collection zone d) watershed e) acreage
d) watershed
The most important agent shaping coastal landforms is ___________ action. a) storm b) stream c) salinization d) wave e) gravity
d) wave
The process of waves slowing down as they approach headlands and the waves having to wrap around the headland is referred to as ________________ a) longshore current b) breakers c) barrier island d) wave refraction e) tidal ebb
d) wave refraction
According to the figure below, which of the following rivers are tributaries to the Mississippi River? a) Ohio River b) Missouri River c) Columbia River d) all of the above e) A and B only
e) A and B only
The warmer interglacial epoch in which we currently find ourselves is referred to as the ___. a) Laurentide b) Cenozoic c) Pliocene d) Wisconsin e) Holocene
e) Holocene
What are exotic rivers? a) Rivers that contain such a broad array of pollutants that they no longer function in the way they would under natural conditions b) Rivers that cross urbanized areas and so are considerably changed from their natural state c) Rivers that cross a variety of terrains including changes in vegetation and elevation d) Rivers that do not flow all year round and that may remain dry for possibly many years e) Rivers that flow through arid regions although the source of their water derives from regions with a water surplus
e) Rivers that flow through arid regions although the source of their water derives from regions with a water surplus
Which of the following is true of a karst landscape? a) carbonate bedrock is present b) sinkholes are common c) groundwater travels through cave systems d) none of these e) all of these
e) all of these
The portion of water carried by a stream that is contributed by groundwater is referred to as _______. a) infiltration b) runoff c) overland flow d) discharge e) base flow
e) base flow
Tidal currents are made up of two opposing currents called ________________ currents. a) longshore and littoral b) tide and flood c) longshore and flood d) ebb and littoral e) ebb and flood
e) ebb and flood
A long sinuous ridge of sediment deposited in an alpine glacier's meltwater tunnel is referred to as a/an __________. a) till plain b) kettle c) drumlin d) kame e) esker
e) esker
Which of the following features develops once a river has reached a graded condition? a) lake b) levee c) terrace d) braided channel e) floodplain
e) floodplain
The steepness of a stream channel can also be called the __________. a) discharge b) load c) percolation d) deposition e) gradient
e) gradient
Groins may be built on a beach to counteract the results of which of the following processes except? a) undercurrent b) littoral drift c) beach drift d) longshore current e) longshore drift
e) longshore drift
Water from precipitation sinking into the soil and flowing downward through the soil-water belt under the force of gravity is a process called __________. a) permeability b) porosity c) recharge d) infiltration e) percolation
e) percolation
The general term to describe land disturbances such as excavations and strip mining is ____. a) disintegration b) spoilage c) tailings d) dredging e) scarification
e) scarification
A __________ dune, as shown in the figure below, forms from shifting wind directions and abundant sand. a) barchan b) transverse c) longitudinal d) parabolic e) star
e) star