Geology Exam #2

Any place where groundwater naturally flows out of Earth's surface is termed a(n)_______. A) artesian well B) regular well C) spring D) recharge area

spring

Which of the following types of mass movement takes place most gradually? a. slump b. creep c. rock slide d. mudflow

creep

If an S wave were to go from a solid to a liquid - what would happen to its velocity? a) stay the same b) increase c) slow down d) decrease to zero

decrease to zero

The driving force behind all mass wasting processes is a. presence of vegetation b. presence of water c. gravity d. slope angle

gravity

Karst terrain forms in areas that are covered in which type of rock? A) basalt B) sandstone C) limestone D) mudstonetype of rock?

limestone

What physical property of the underlying rock would lead to the formation of a waterfall along the length of a stream? A)A high resistance to erosion B)high porosity of the rock C)great permeability of the rock D)fine grain size of the rock

A high resistance to erosion

Earthquake A has a Richter magnitude of 7 as compared with earthquake B's 6. The amount of ground motion is: a) A is 2 times more b) A is 10 times more c) A is 32 times more d) ground motion cannot be determined by Richter magnitude

A is 10 times more

Earthquake A has a Richter magnitude of 8 as compared with earthquake B's 6. The amount of energy is: a) A is 2 times more b) A is 10 times more c) A is 32 times more d) A is 100 times more e) not measured by Richter magnitude

A is 32 times more

Which set of waves are probably the surface waves on the seismogram above? a) A b) B c) C d) They are all surface waves

C

What is the dominant force that causes mass movement? a. tidal forces b. seismic energy release c. gravity d. wind

gravity

The discharge of a river will increase if _________. A) the water in the river slows down B) it rains in the drainage basin ares C) the area does not receive rain for a while D) sediments settle to the bottom of the river channel

it rains in the drainage basin ares

Gaining streams are those where: A) water from the vadose zone flows into the stream. B) water is lost from the stream to the vadose zone. C) water from the saturated zone flows into the stream. D) water is lost from the stream to the saturated zone.

water from the saturated zone flows into the stream

If a P wave were to travel from a solid to a liquid - what would happen to its velocity? a) stay the same b) increase c) slow down d) decrease to zero

slow down

Which of the following types of mass movement often travels as a coherent mass down a curved surface? a. slump b. creep c. rock slide d. mudflow

slump

Flow of water-saturated debris over impermeable material is called a. solifluction b. fall c. slip d. flow

solifluction

Movement associated with permafrost is a. avalanches b. solifluction c. quicksands d. expansive clays.

solifluction

According to the moment magnitude scale, a magnitude 8 earthquake would beabout 1,000 greater than a magnitude _____ earthquake. a) 9 b) 7 c) 6 d) 5 e) 4

5

The gradient of a stream that drops 10 feet over a horizontal distance of two miles is: A) 20 feet per mile B) 10 feet per mile C) 5 feet per mile D) 2.5 feet per mile

5 feet per mile

Which set of waves are the P waves on the seismogram above? a) A b) B c) C d) They are all P waves

A

The difference in arrival times between which pair of waves can be used to determine the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake? a) A and C b) A and B c) B and C d) cannot be determined from the seismogram

A and B

An earthquake of Richter magnitude 7 will have a seismograph amplitude how much greater than one of Richter magnitude 6? a)1/6 b) 7 c) 10 d) 32 e) 1

10

If a stream has a depth of 8 feet, a width of 24 feet and an average velocity of 1 foot per second, its discharge will be ___________ cubic feet per second. A) 3 B) 8 C) 24 D) 192 E) none of the preceding

192

An earthquake occurs with an epicenter in the town of New Madrid, Missouri, in the interior of the North American Plate. Where might the hypocenter of this earthquake plausibly be found? a) in the town of New Madrid b) 20 miles south of New Madrid c) 20 miles beneath New Madrid d) 20 miles north of New Madrid

20 miles beneath New Madrid

How many seismograph stations are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake? a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4 e) 9

3

Which set of waves are the S waves on the seismogram above? a) A b) B c) C d) They are all S waves

B

The immediate cause of incidents of mass movement is ________. a.static b.gravity c.magnetism d.friction

gravity

On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.3 earthquake generated a tsunami that devastated coastlines on the __________ Ocean. a) Atlantic b) Arctic c) Indian d) Pacific

Indian

In many areas with karst terrain, people use sinkholes as places to dump garbage. What effect might this practice have on the groundwater supply? A) None; sinkholes are not connected to groundwater sources. B) It clogs the sinkholes so that water cannot percolate into the groundwater. C) It could block the groundwater discharge from unconfined aquifers only. D) It could contaminate the groundwater in any or all aquifers in the area

It could contaminate the groundwater in any or all aquifers in the area

_______ occur(s) where earthquakes cause pore pressure to increase, which in turn causes grains to separate and flow. a) Liquefaction b) Normal faults c) Landslides d) Aftershocks e) Roiling

Liquefaction

Which of the following measures an earthquake's intensity based on the observed effects on people and structures? a) Richter scale b) Modified Mercalli scale c) Centigrade scale d) moment magnitude scale

Modified Mercalli scale

Body waves consist of the: a) P waves only b) S waves only c) P and S waves d) Surface waves

P and S waves

__________travel with a compressional motion. a) Love waves b) Rayleigh waves c) P waves d) S-waves e) surface waves

P waves

Which of the following sequences correctly lists the different arrivals from first to last? a) P waves ... S waves .... Surface waves b) Surface waves ... P waves .... S waves c) P waves ... Surface waves ... S waves d) S waves ... P waves .... Surface waves

P waves ... S waves .... Surface waves

Which of the following measurements of an earthquake is measured by an instrument? a) Mercalli b) Modified Mercalli c) Richter

Richter

In general, the most destructive earthquake waves are the __________ . a) P waves b) S waves c) Surface waves d) pretty much the same

Surface waves

Which of the following waves is the slowest? a) P waves b) S waves c) Surface waves d) they all have the same velocity

Surface waves

The largest drainage basin in the continental United States is: A) The Missouri River drainage basin B) The Columbia River drainage basin C) The Arkansas River drainage basin D) The Mississippi River drainage basin

The Mississippi River drainage basin

You have a choice to drill a water well into a shallow, unconfined aquifer or a deeper artesian aquifer. Drilling deeper will cost more money; however, you chose to drill into the artesian aquifer. Why? A) The artesian aquifer will have a higher permeability. B) The artesian aquifer will not be subject to overpumping C) The artesian aquifer will flow on its own, without a pump D) The artesian aquifer will contain more water for your use

The artesian aquifer will flow on its own, without a pump

After finishing a new construction project, why is the first task often to install new landscaping around the area? a.The plants will provide nutrients for animals that will carry away the soil. b.The roots will grow into the slope and work to keep the slope intact. c.The plants will add additional weight to the slope and keep it stable. d.The roots take in oxygen and release it into the soil to increase surface tension.

The roots will grow into the slope and work to keep the slope intact.

At a river delta, which of the following is false? A) The stream gradient decreases. B) A single channel divides into multiple, radiating distributary channels. C) The stream's competence decreases. D) The stream channel becomes very straight because of it's large sediment load.

The stream channel becomes very straight because of it's large sediment load.

_______________ increases the peak discharge of water and shortens the lag time of a local stream. A) Establishment of natural levees B) Establishment of artificial levees C) Urbanization of an area D) Planting a large tree farm

Urbanization of an area

An aquifer is: A) a body of saturated rock or sediment through which water can move easily. B) a body of rock that retards flow of ground water. C) a body of rock that is impermeable. D) a body of rock containing water.

a body of saturated rock or sediment through which water can move easily.

The typical rate of creep movement in soils is usually a. a centimeter per month. b. a centimeter per week. c. a meter per day. d. a centimeter or less per year.

a centimeter or less per year.

A wedge- or fan-shaped mass of sediment deposited by a stream into a body of water is called: A) an alluvial fan B) a submarine fan C) a delta D) none of these

a delta

Which of the following situations is the most likely candidate for the occurrence of mass movements? a.a flat, desert area with little vegetation b.a gentle slope along the coastline that is across a highway from the surf zone c.gently sloping hills in the tropics d.a mountain terrain in a humid environment

a mountain terrain in a humid environment

A tsunami is __________. a) a sea wave generated by displacement of water b) a sloshing of water back and forth within a lake or a bay c) a wave caused by large tidal forces d) the tendency of wet, clay-rich soils to behave like a liquid during an earthquake.

a sea wave generated by displacement of water

Which of the following slopes is least stable? a. a slope where the sedimentary layers dip parallel to the slope b. a slope where the sedimentary layers are horizontal c. a slope where the sedimentary layers dip perpendicular to the slope d. all of these slopes have the same stability

a slope where the sedimentary layers dip parallel to the slope

Which of the following situations is least likely to result in mass movement? a. a steep slope b. a slope with loose material saturated with water c. a slope with abundant vegetation d. a slope consisting of fractured and deformed rock

a slope with abundant vegetation

The characteristic slope of a pile of dry sand is called the ______ . a. angle of repose b. strike c. consolidation factor d. dip

angle of repose

Which of the following factors decreases the risk of mass movement? a.nearby earthquakes b.excavation into the base of a hill c.adding weight to the top of a hill d.adding vegetation to the side of a hill

adding vegetation to the side of a hill

Which of the following is a form of mass wasting? a. a landslide b. a rock avalanche c. a mudflow d. all of are forms of mass wasting

all of are forms of mass wasting

If a dam is built on a large river like the Colorado, which of the following is most likely? A) discharge below the dam will decrease B) the stream will erode its channel below the dam C) the lake that is created will fill will sediment D) all of the above E) none of the above

all of the above

IF the discharge of a stream increases for a few days because of a large rainfall _________. A) it's suspended load will also increase B) it's bed load will also increase C) it's average velocity will also increase D) all of the above are true E) none of the above are true

all of the above are true

Water can encourage mass flow by: a. reducing friction between grains b. undercutting a steep slope c. weathering bedrock to clay minerals d. all of the preceding

all of the preceding

A stream's discharge is: A) the volume of water passing a fixed point per unit time B) the product of a stream's velocity and channel cross-sectional area C) influenced by channel width and depth, stream gradient, channel shape, and channel roughness D) all of these

all of these

How do geologists classify mass movements? a. by the speed of the mass movement b. by the nature of the material c. by the nature of the movement d. all of these

all of these

Mass wasting events may be triggered by a. melting of permafrost b. earthquakes c. torrential rain d. all of these

all of these

Mass wasting processes are classified according to a. amount of water in rock or surface material. b. size of particles involved. c. type of movement (kinematics). d. all of these

all of these

Which of the following can be triggered by an earthquake? a) tsunami b) intense ground shaking c) a landslide d) all of these

all of these

Which of the following can trigger a landslide? a. an earthquake b. a heavy rainstorm c. removal of material from the base of a slope d. all of these

all of these

Which of the following determines how quickly groundwater flows? A) elevation. B) permeability. C) water pressure. D) all of these are important determinants of groundwater flow.

all of these are important determinants of groundwater flow.

Which of the following processes is not caused largely by gravity? a. flow of glacial ice b. movement of landslides and debris slides c. movement of water in streams d. all of these are strongly influenced by gravity

all of these are strongly influenced by gravity

In urban areas, floods often become more frequent because: A) extensive pavement limits infiltration to soils B) extensive pavement increases runoff to streams C) storm sewers conduct runoff more efficiently to streams D) all of these contribute to increase flooding in urban areas

all of these contribute to increase flooding in urban areas

Which of the following is not a drainage pattern: A) dendritic B) trellis C) radial D) all of these describe drainage patterns

all of these describe drainage patterns

Prolonged withdrawal of water from an aquifer: A) may deplete the aquifer. B) can cause subsidence of the land surface. C) can alter the porosity or permeability of the aquifer. D) all of these.

all of these.

The vast majority of earthquakes occur __________. a) along transform plate boundaries only b) near hotspots c) along passive margins d) along all types of plate boundaries

along all types of plate boundaries

A cone of depression in the water table results from A) excess rate of pumping B) excess volume of pumping C) any significant amount of pumping D) defective pump

any significant amount of pumping

A rock or sediment layer that both stores and transmits a significant amount of water is called an A) aquifer B) aquiclude C) aquitard

aquifer

A relatively impermeable layer of rock or sediment is termed a(n) ________ in hydrogeologic contexts. A) aquitard B) confined aquifer C) unconfined aquifer D) saturated zone

aquitard

Geysers and hot springs: A) are caused by groundwater being geothermally heated. B) are "Volcanoes of water". C) are common throughout the world. D) always occur at very high elevations.

are caused by groundwater being geothermally heated.

A well that flows without pumping is called a(n) ________ well. A) ordinary B) artesian C) pressurized D) recharged

artesian

The headwaters of a stream are always located: A) at the terminus of the stream where it enters a standing body of water B) at the source of the stream C) along the longitudinal profile of the stream D) all of these

at the source of the stream

Why do meandering streams meander (move) across their floodplain? A) because the large amounts of sediments that choke the rivers create point bars that are easily eroded away by additional flow of the rivers B) because they carry very small amounts of sediment and thus are not slowed down as a result of friction between the sediment and the river bottom C) because they are curved, which causes erosion on one side of the curve and deposition on the other side of the curve, thus moving the river in the direction of erosion D) because sediment is constantly being deposited on the river bottom, which causes the river to overflow its banks and create a new channel

because they are curved, which causes erosion on one side of the curve and deposition on the other side of the curve, thus moving the river in the direction of erosion

If glaciers around the world, on the average, continue to melt more than advance, the ultimate base level of streams like the Mississippi, Amazon, and the Columbia will _______. A) Stay the same B) become lower C) become higher

become higher

Sand-sized particles are most likely to be transported as part of a stream's A) suspended load B) bed load C) dissolved load D) Cobbles are too large to be transported by streams

bed load

The ________ in the sequence of sedimentary rocks shown below may become a failure surface. a.bedding planes b.exfoliation joints c.foliation planes d.uplift planes

bedding planes

A rockfall occurs whena. a block of bedrock breaks off and falls freely from a cliff b. rock layers are displaced slowly downslope year after year. c. soil and debris move downslope as a viscous fluid. d. all of these

block of bedrock breaks off and falls freely from a cliff

One method of stabilizing slopes to prevent mass wasting is a. build appropriately engineered retaining structures. b. cut away the base of the slope with heavy equipment. c. add weight to the slope. d. make the slope steeper.

build appropriately engineered retaining structures.

Which of the following if false? A 100-year flood ______. A) has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year B) is more destructive than a 50-year flood C) cannot occur more than once in 100 years D) on the average occurs more frequently than a 20-year flood

cannot occur more than once in 100 years on the average occurs more frequently than a 20-year flood

The majority of large cave and karst systems have resulted from ________ etching into ________. A) carbonic acid; limestone B) ascorbic acid; dolostone C) hydrochloric acid; shale D) sea water; rock salt

carbonic acid; limestone

Which of the following would decrease the resistance force? a.lowering the slope angle b.draining out water c.chemical weathering of the slope d.adding material to the base of the hill

chemical weathering of the slope

Braided streams ___________. A) consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment B) have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year C) have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) D) are those that divert flow from streams they have intersected through stream erosion

consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment

One of the most effective ways to stabilize a slope is to: a. remove all excess vegetation b. remove the toe of the slope c. control and remove water d. none of the preceding

control and remove water

Deep focus earthquakes occur only along ___________. a) convergent plate boundaries b) divergent plate boundaries c) transform plate boundaries d) hotspots

convergent plate boundaries

Imagine you have just bought some property and notice that the trees on the slope have curved trunks. What type of landslide event do you likely have on your property? a.solifluction b.creep c.Slump d.Mudflow

creep

What is the slowest type of mass wasting process? a. rotational slump b. creep c. rock avalanche d. debris flow

creep

What type of mass movement occurs in an area with bowed tree trunks and misaligned fences? a.rock fall b.mudflow c.creep d.debris slide

creep

The outer edge of a meander, where material is being eroded, is called a(n) __________. A) meander neck B) cut bank C) point bar D) abandoned meander

cut bank

In uniform sediments with a relatively constant and gentle slope at the surface, a ________ drainage network is expected. A) dendritic B) radial C) rectangular D) trellis

dendritic

Where is the focus with respect to the epicenter: a) directly below the epicenter b) directly above the epicenter c) on the opposite side of the Earth d) in different places depending of the magnitude

directly below the epicenter

A flowing artesian well is one that ________. A) discharges groundwater at the ground surface without pumping B) has its intake sited within the vadose zone of an unconfined aquifer C) has its intake sited within the unsaturated zone of an unconfined aquifer D) has its recharge area at an elevation below sea level

discharges groundwater at the ground surface without pumping

The total area drained by a stream and its tributaries is called the: A) hydrologic cycle B) divide C) tributary area D) drainage basin

drainage basin

An earthquake takes place when a) movement occurs along a fault b) elastic strain energy on the fault blocks exceeds the friction between the blocks c) a fault reaches the surface

elastic strain energy on the fault blocks exceeds the friction between the blocks

The __________ the earthquake, the less severe the damage will be. a) larger the magnitude of b) shorter the duration of c) farther you are from d) closer you are to

farther you are from

Earthquakes most often occur along __________. a) bedding planes b) floodplains c) fault zones d) river valleys

fault zones

Which of the following increases the risk of mass movement? a.adding a small amount of moisture to loose, dry sediment b.waves breaking before they reach sea cliffs c.flooding the sediment with water to the point of saturation d.reducing the grade of the slope

flooding the sediment with water to the point of saturation

The flat-lying area surrounding a river channel is called the __________. A) base level B) floodplain C) stream gradient D) drainage basin

floodplain

A descending mass moving downslope as a viscous fluid of individual particles is a _____. a. slump b. flow c. slide d. fall

flow

The point at which the first movements of an earthquake appear to occur is the _____. a) epicenter b) resurgence point c) liquefaction area d) focus

focus

The point where movement occurred which triggered the earthquake is the _______ . a) dip b) epicenter c) focus d) strike

focus

The point within Earth where an earthquake takes place is termed the_______. a) focus b) epicenter c) eye of the fault d) vertex

focus

A primary force opposing motion on all faults is __________. a) covalent bond b) gravity c) Van der Walls force d) friction

friction

A periodic explosive eruption of steam and water from within the ground up through the Surface of the Earth is termed a(n) ________. A) artesian well B) geyser C) spring D) recharge area

geyser

Most of the Earth's fresh water is in ______ A) oceans B) groundwater C) lakes D) glaciers E) the atmosphere

glaciers

The slope of a stream surface measured between two points along its course is the __________. A) base level B) floodplain C) gradient D) slip slope

gradient

Which of the following likely has the highest porosity? A) gravel B) shale C) granite

gravel

A small mountain stream will likely have a _____ competence and a _____ capacity than the Mississippi River. A) Lower; lower B) lower; greater C) greater; greater D) greater; lower

greater; lower

What causes the up-and-down wiggles on the seismogram show above? a) variations in air pressure b) ground movement c) tsunami waves c) electromagnetic pulses

ground movement

The second most abundant supply of the Earth's fresh water is located in ________. A) oceans B) groundwater C) lakes D) glaciers E) the atmosphere

groundwater

Caves and cavern systems are formed by: A) evacuation of magma chambers during volcanic eruptions. B) water moving through aquifers. C) removal of water from aquifers. D) groundwater dissolving limestone and dolomite.

groundwater dissolving limestone and dolomite

Meandering streams __________. A) consist of a series of intertwined channels that are overloaded with sediment B) have flowing water either episodically or during only a portion of the year C) have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy) D) are those that divert flow from streams they have intersected through stream erosion

have a channel that is highly sinuous (curvy)

Where is the best place to be if a large earthquake occurs? a) in an empty field b) in a brick house c) in a large building d) on the beach

in an empty field

The discharge of a river that is graded and in a temperate region will typically ______ downstream, whereas a river traveling through an arid region will typically _________ downstream. A) increase; increase B) decrease; decrease C) increase; decrease D) decrease; increase

increase; decrease

With increasing distance from an epicenter, the difference in arrival times between the P and the S waves _________ a) increases b) decreases c) stays constant d) none of the preceding

increases

What is the most effective means of mitigating the risk of a slope failure for the slope shown in the figure below, which depicts a seashore? a.apply shotcrete b.revegetate with new plants c.install riprap d.dewater the slope

install riprap

The stream gradient of most rivers __________. A) is greater near the source than near the mouth B) is greater near the mouth than near the source C) does not change as a river flows downstream D) is greater for a meandering stream than for any other type

is greater near the source than near the mouth

A graded stream is able to maintain an ever increasing load on an ever decreasing gradient because __________. A) It is always eroding it's headwater area B) the gradient in its headwater area forces the water down it's channel C) it's load is being deposited in its floodplain D) it's average velocity can increase because the stream channel is larger near it's mouth

it's average velocity can increase because the stream channel is larger near it's mouth

As the velocity of its flow decreases, which of the following is not likely true of a stream? A) its discharge decreases B) its competence increases C) its suspended sediment starts to be deposited D) saltation of bed load may cease

its competence increases

Topography dominated by depressions caused by collapse of caves is termed a ________. A) valley and ridge province B) karst landscape C) horst and graben landscape C) speleothem formation

karst landscape

What proportion of Earth's water resources occurs as ground water? A) less than 1% B) about 15% C) about 25% D) about 33%

less than 1%

During an earthquake, water-saturated sand can behave like a liquid, a process called ____ . a. slurrification b. solifluction c. unconsolidation d. liquefaction

liquefaction

Wet and unconsolidated substrates are uniquely susceptible to ____ during and earthquake. a) displacement b) collapse c) liquefaction d) faulting

liquefaction

The potential of igneous and metamorphic rocks to hold groundwater generally is A) low B) moderate C) high

low

Which of the following does not promote mass movement? a. low slopes b. forest fires c. heavy rainfall d. bedding planes dipping down slope

low slopes

Rates of groundwater flow are ________ than stream flow because the water ________. A) higher; can flow through large caverns B) higher; does not have any obstacles to overcome C) lower; contains dissolved ions that slow it down D) lower; must make its way through tiny pore spaces

lower; must make its way through tiny pore spaces

Pumping vast quantities of water locally ________. A) raises the local water table B) lowers the local water table, forming a cone-shaped depression C) lowers the local water table, forming a cylindrical depression D) does not affect the water table

lowers the local water table, forming a cone-shaped depression

Hot springs can be formed by the heating of groundwater by the geothermal gradient or by ________. A) decompression heating B) infared heating by the sun C) magma D) heating by the core

magma

The downslope movement of material under the influence of gravity is known as a. downslope movement b. land sliding c. mass wasting d. none of these

mass wasting

If a material is porous, it ________. A) will be permeable as well B) will be impermeable C) may be permeable or impermeable D) would not be permeable or impermeable

may be permeable or impermeable

The largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth is: A) the ocean. B) polar ice caps. C) groundwater. D) water vapor in the atmosphere.

polar ice caps.

The elevation of the water table ________. A) is a constant for a given area so long as the topography remains the same B) may rise during times of drought and sink during rainy periods C) may rise during rainy periods and sink during droughts D) is completely unpredictable

may rise during rainy periods and sink during droughts

Slope failures are more likely to occur in ________ than in ________. a.forests; deserts b.mountains; deserts c.deserts; mountains d.deserts; forests

mountains; deserts

Which of the following types of mass movement is LEAST coherent (most like a fluid)? a.slump b.creep c.rock slide d.mudflow

mudflow

The largest reservoir of water on Earth is(are): A) oceans. B) polar ice caps. C) groundwater. D) water vapor in the atmosphere.

oceans.

The water table is highest A) on hill tops B) on hillslopes C) in valleys

on hill tops

Within a meander, where is sediment most likely to be deposited? A) on the outer banks of the meander B) on the inner banks of the meander C) where the water is deepest in the meander D) directly in the middle of the meander

on the inner banks of the meander

A meander that has been completely isolated from the main channel and its ends have been plugged by sediment is called a(n) __________. A) meander neck B) cut bank C) oxbow lake D) thalweg E) isolated spur

oxbow lake

The water table A) parallels the land surface B) parallels the land surface but has less relief C)parallels the land surface but has greater relief D) is a mirror image of the land surface

parallels the land surface but has less relief

The capacity of a rock to transmit water is called A) porosity B) void ratio C) permeability

permeability

Material through which water readily flows is termed ________. A) fluent B) porous C) permeable D) fluid

permeable

Sand bars deposited on the inner curve of a stream meander are called: A) cutbanks B) meander bars C) quick sands D) point bars

point bars

Surface waves __________. a) travel more rapidly than body waves b) produce most of the damage to buildings during earthquakes c) are the first waves initially produced in an earthquake d) are the first waves to arrive at a seismograph after and earthquake

produce most of the damage to buildings during earthquakes

The __________ is the average number of years between floods. A) discharge limit B) annual probability C) recurrence interval D) flood-hazard gap

recurrence interval

Some landslides include a mixture of loose surface soil and debris called ________. a.bedrock c.sully b. regolith d. substratum

regolith

Slopes that have been stable for many years may sometimes fail catastrophically. What is a common trigger for these failures? a. removal of vegetative cover b. reducing the gradient of the slope c. draining of water from the slope d. growth of vegetation on the slope

removal of vegetative cover

A talus cone is produced by a: a. rock fall b. rock slides c. mud flows d. all of the above

rock fall

What type of mass movement would you expect to form in a slot canyon (steep-walled canyon)? a.avalanche b.rock fall c.slump d.lahar

rock fall

Which of the following usually has the highest porosity? A) gravel B) sand C) clay D) silt

sand

Surface tension is greatest when ________ . a. sand is dry b. sand is moist, but not saturated with water c. sand is saturated with water d. sand is over saturated with water

sand is moist, but not saturated with water

Which rock type likely will provide the best ground-water supply? A) limestone B) sandstone C) shale

sandstone

Which rock type below is likely to possess the highest permeability? A) shale. B) sandstone. C) siltsone. D) granite.

sandstone.

Which rock would most likely form an aquifer? A) shale. B) granite. C) siltsone. D) sandstone.

sandstone.

In order for a well to function properly it must be drilled below the water table and into a(n)(the)________. A) saturated zone B) aquitard C) spring D) geyser

saturated zone / aquifer

Which of the following statements best describes the state of earthquake prediction? a) geologists can accurately predict the time and location of almost all earthquakes b) scientists can accurately predict the time and location of about 50% of all earthquakes c) scientists can accurately predict when an earthquake will occur, but not where d) scientists can characterize the seismic risk of an area, but cannot accurately predict most earthquakes

scientists can characterize the seismic risk of an area, but cannot accurately predict most earthquakes

The massive device that detects earthquake waves because it stays in place is called a _____. a) seismogram b) seismograph c) seismometer d) pictogram

seismograph

Ground water that occurs between two aquicludes is said to be A) confined B) unconfined C) perched

shale

Which of the following is most likely to be an aquiclude? A) sandstone B) shale C) conglomerate

shale

Which rock type below is likely to possess the highest porosity? A) sandstone. B) conglomerate. C) siltsone. D) shale.

shale.

Which type of trigger would be more likely to cause slope failure along a newly built roadway? a.liquefaction b.steepening the slope c.the addition of weight d.exposure of fresh rock

steepening the slope

The recurrence of earthquakes along a single fault is referred to as __________. a) stick-slip behavior b) elastic rebound c) seimic repetition d) slip-transfer

stick-slip behavior

When one stream captures the flow from another stream it is called __________. A) stream rejuvenation B) stream piracy C) antecedent capture D) a tragedy

stream piracy

Almost all very large earthquakes occur at __________. a) transform faults b) spreading centers c) subduction zones d) hotspots

subduction zones

Overpumping can lead to __________ of the ground surface. A) mineralization B) heating C) uplift D) subsidence

subsidence

Damp sand has a higher angle of repose than dry sand because of _____ . a. cementation b. surface tension c. partial melting d. dissolution

surface tension

Which type of earthquake wave generally has the slowest velocity? a) S waves b) P waves c) surface waves d) all waves travel at the same speed

surface waves

An apron of fallen rock fragments that accumulates at the base of a cliff is called a. debris b. avalanche c. sediment d. talus

talus

An artesian well is one: A) where a cone of depression develops around a well when pumped. B) located in the city of Artesia, California. C) that flows to the surface without pumping. D) that is developed in an aquitard.

that flows to the surface without pumping.

The distinction between a valley and a canyon is __________. A) nonexistent; the two terms are the same B) that the sides of a canyon are more steep than those of a valley C) that the sides of a valey are more steep than those of a canyou D) that valleys are often cut by streams, whereas canyons are eroded by winds

that the sides of a canyon are more steep than those of a valley

Detailed studies of what earthquake allowed researchers to develop the elastic rebound theory?. a) the 1906 San Francisco earthquake b) the 1964 Anchorage, Alaska earthquake c) the 1755 Lisbon, Portugal earthquake d) the 1985 Mexico City earthquakes

the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

Permeability is: A) The percentage of a rock's volume that is open space. B) the capacity of a rock to transmit fluids. C) the ability of a sediment to retard water. D) none of the above.

the capacity of a rock to transmit fluids.

The decline in the level of the water table around a pumping well is known as: A) the porosity parameter. B) the permeability gradient. C) the cone of depression. D) the sphere of influence

the cone of depression

The principal difference between a debris flow and a mudflow is ________. a.the shape of the path taken by the moving mass b.the grain size of the moving mass c.that a debris flow contains abundant water, whereas a mudflow is dry d.that a debris flow contains pyroclastic debris from a volcanic eruption

the grain size of the moving mass

The transfer of water among various reservoirs in the Earth system is: A) the hydrologic cycle B) hydrologic transfer mechanism C) water table D) none of these

the hydrologic cycle

Base level is: A) the level associated with the base of a river channel B) the normal elevation of a reservoir C) the level above which flood waters will not rise D) the level below which streams will not erode

the level below which streams will not erode

Porosity is: A) the percentage of a rock's volume that is open space. B) the capacity of a rock to transmit fluid. C) the ability of a sediment to retard water. D) none of the above.

the percentage of a rock's volume that is open space.

The near-surface zone where all pores are filled with water is called: A) the saturated zone. B) the vadose (unsaturated) zone. C) the water table. D) the aquifer.

the saturated zone

Which of the following statements about the water table is false? A) the water table will mimic the topography in an area B) the top surface of the saturated zone is the water table C) a permanent river lies at or below the water table D) the water table is also called the aquitard

the top surface of the saturated zone is the water table

Why does an artesian well flow without pumping? A) the water table is at the surface in an artesian aquifer B) the hydraulic head is very low in the aquifer C) the water in an unconfined aquifer is pressurized D) the water in a confined aquifer is pressurized

the water in a confined aquifer is pressurized

Imagine you are digging a hole when the hole suddenly starts to fill with water. What has the bottom of the hole reached? A) the capillary zone B) the vadose zone C) the water table D) an aquitard

the water table

The top of the water saturated zone is known as: A) the aquitard. B) the aquifer. C) the hydraulic head. D) the water table.

the water table

What happens to rock particles during the passage of a P wave through the rock? a) they move in a rolling, circular motion b) they change their volume parallel to the direction of wave travel c) the do not move d) the change their shape perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

they change their volume parallel to the direction of wave travel

Which of the following is true of ephemeral streams but not permanent streams? A) they are subject to erosion of sediment B) they contain water only during and shortly after rainfall events C) they can be fed by large drainage basins D) thye occur only in tropical regions

they contain water only during and shortly after rainfall events

How can you use a landslide hazard map to help buy a piece of property? a.to determine if there are large rivers running by the property b.to determine if the property is in a high-risk zone for landslides c.to determine if the property is near a high-risk flood zone d.to determine if the property has been exposed to fires recently

to determine if the property is in a high-risk zone for landslides

The total sediment load of a stream consists of all of the following except the __________ load. A) turbulent B) suspended C) bed D) dissolved

turbulent

Groundwater that is in direct vertical contact with the atmosphere through open pores of soil, sediment or rock is called A) confined B) unconfined C) perched D) artesian

unconfined

Which of the following situations may lead to slope failure? a.the addition of a small amount of water to a slope b.installing a chain-link fence over a slope c.undercutting a slope by a bulldozer d.regrading a steep slope to create a gentler slope

undercutting a slope by a bulldozer

Permeable rock or sediment between the water table and the land surface represents a(n) ________. A) aquitard B) confined aquifer C) unconfined aquifer D) unsaturated zone

unsaturated zone

Ground water is: A) precipitation that is squeezed from rocks underground. B) water from magmatic sources that accumulates underground. C) water that has always been underground. D) water that leaks into the ground from precipitation.

water that leaks into the ground from precipitation

Which of the following does not affect the severity of damage from and earthquake? a) weather b) duration c) distance d) magnitude

weather

As ________ occurs, intact rock is broken down into smaller, weaker pieces called sediment. a. an avalanche b. cohesion c. solifluction d. weathering

weathering

Slope failures are most likely to occur in ________ conditions. a.dry, mountainous b.dry, flat c.wet, mountainous d.wet, flat

wet, mountainous

Earthquake __________ is a means of deciding where the ground is stable enough to build on in earthquake-prone areas. a) mitigation b) zoning c) retrofitting d) prevention

zoning