Physical Geography Exam Three
focus
subsurface area along a fault plane where the seismic waves is initiated
What physical evidence of Pangea is there still today?
tectonic plates and their movements: convergent, divergent, transform collisions
Potential Evapotranspiration (PET)
the amount of water that could be evaporated from the soil and transpired by plants under unlimited soil moisture conditions
Mohorovicic discontinuity
the boundary between the earth's crust and the upper part of the Asthenosphere; seismic waves change speed at this boundary
relief
the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area
epicenter
the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake
outgassing
the process by which water vapor and water emerge from deep layers within and below the Earth's crust
Climatology
the study of Earth's climate and the factors that affect past, present, and future climatic changes
As distance from the equator increases, seasonal variation in temperature tends to A) increase. B) decrease. C) remain constant.
A
If one were to map a vertical profile of groundwater resources, which of the following is correct order from top to bottom? A) zone of aeration—water table—zone of saturation—impermeable rock B) water table—zone of aeration—zone of saturation—impermeable rock C) zone of aeration—zone of saturation—water table—impermeable rock D) zone of saturation—water table—zone of aeration—impermeable rock
A
The density of material below the Moho is ________ that above it. A. greater than B. less than C. the same as
A
The hydrologic cycle A) involves the continuous movement of water in all its states throughout the lower atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. B) is limited to freshwater circulation in the hydrosphere. C) refers to the highly localized transfer of water from plants and soils to the atmosphere and back. D) is the groundwater component of the global water cycle.
A
Vertical elevation differences in a local landscape are referred to as A. relief. B. an order of relief. C. topography. D. crust.
A
Volcanic activity located away from plate boundaries is associated with A. hot spots. B. subduction zones. C. sea floor spreading centers. D. continental crust-continental crust boundaries
A
Which of the earth's structural layers is the thinnest? A. Lithosphere B. Upper mantle C. Lower mantle D. Outer core E. Inner core
A
Which of the following is normally true of a hot desert? A) Potential evapotranspiration exceeds actual evapotranspiration. B) Actual evapotranspiration exceeds potential evapotranspiration. C) Potential evapotranspiration equals actual evapotranspiration. D) It is impossible to say what the normal relationship between potential and actual evapotranspiration would be in a desert.
A
normal fault
A kind of dip-slip fault with vertical displacement; caused by tension/stretching in the crust; landforms:
moment magnitude scale
A scale that rates earthquakes by estimating the total energy released by an earthquake
pangea
A supercontinent containing all of Earth's land that existed about 225 million years ago.
convergent (subductary) plate boundary
A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, come together, or crash into each other.
Which of the following lists the correct, generalized sequence of climates from the equator to the poles? A) Tropical → Dry → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Highland B) Tropical → Mesothermal → Dry → Microthermal → Polar C) Tropical → Dry → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar D) Polar → Microthermal → Dry → Mesothermal → Tropical E) Dry → Tropical → Mesothermal → Microthermal → Polar
B
Which of the following types of water is accessible to plants? A) hygroscopic B) capillary C) deficit water D) transpired water
B
A continental craton is best described as A) the product of active folding and faulting. B) the surface accumulation of molten rock. C) the inactive remains of ancient tectonic activity. D) a landform undergoing constant tectonic activity
B
A rock transformed from any other rock through extreme heat and or pressure is referred to as A. sedimentary. B. metamorphic. C. igneous. D. ancient.
B
An earthquake is best described as A. the point within the Earth where seismic waves originate. B. the sharp release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. C. the amount of ground displacement along a fault. D. the amount of stress rocks along plate boundaries experience.
B
At a strike-slip fault A. compressional stress occurs due to converging crust. B. lateral shearing occurs. C. tensional stress occurs due to diverging crust. D. compressional stress occurs due to diverging crust
B
Convergent plates boundaries are characteristics of A. sea-floor spreading centers. B. collision zones between plates. C. lateral motion of plates. D. all plate boundaries.
B
Earth's interior is layered because A. centrifugal force separated out the materials based on weight as the Earth solidified. B. materials became sorted based on density as the Earth solidified. C. materials became sorted based on electromagnetic fields as the Earth solidified.
B
On average, the thickness of oceanic crust is ________ that of continental crust A. greater than B. less than C. the same as
B
Orogenesis refers to A. the beginning of extensive faulting. B. a general term for a mountain-building episode that thickens continental crust. C. a general thinning of the crust. D. the formation of mountains without faulting, folding, or the capture of migrating terranes.
B
The continuous alteration of Earth materials from one rock type to another is known as the A. geologic cycle. B. rock cycle. C. hydrologic cycle. D. tectonic cycle.
B
The measurement of land elevation relative to sea level is known as A. bathymetry. B. hypsometry. C. topography. D. geodesy
B
When rock strata are strained beyond their ability to remain an intact unit, displacement occurs in a process known as A. folding. B. faulting. C. broad warping. D. stressing.
B
endogenic processes
Forces within Earth that affect its surface, such as plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes; driving force is interior of Earth
Folding and Faulting
Bending and breaking of the rock layers of earth's crust; helps form mountains, ridges, and valleys.
transform plate boundary
Boundary between two plates that are sliding past each other.
Global circulation patterns of winds and ocean currents, which drive weather systems and, ultimately, climate patterns are created by A) the coriolis force. B) frictional force caused by the Earth's spinning on its axis. C) imbalances created by energy surpluses and deficits at the equator and poles, respectively. D) the differential heating properties of land and water.
C
If precipitation and soil moisture are inadequate to meet potential evapotranspiration demands, the moisture condition is described as A) actual evapotranspiration. B) a surplus. C) a deficit. D) soil moisture utilization.
C
Limestone is a type of ________ rock that forms when ________. A. igneous; magma cools B. igneous; lava cools C. sedimentary; calcium carbonate precipitates, or organic material containing calcium carbonate accumulates in a water environment D. sedimentary; broken fragments of rock are deposited in a water environment and are then cemented together.
C
The largest portion of fresh water today is located in A) clouds. B) groundwater resources. C) ice caps and glaciers. D) the major rivers and lakes of the world.
C
The main source of groundwater is A) hygroscopic water in the soil. B) surface water where it intersects the zone of recharge. C) precipitation that percolates downward as gravitational water. D) the zone of aeration above the water table.
C
Which of the following properly describes the formation of continental crust? A. All continental crust was formed millions of years ago. There is no active continental crust being formed. B. The formation of continental crust is independent of the formation of oceanic crust, involving only volcanism over the land masses. C. The formation of continental crust involves the entire sequence of seafloor spreading, subduction, remelting of oceanic crust, and subsequent rise of the remelted material. D. New continental crust is formed essentially in the same many as oceanic crust — from upwelling at mid-continental ridges.
C
________ occurs when soil soaks water into the subsurface A) Throughfall B) Overland flow C) Infiltration D) Stem flow
C
An area defined by characteristic, long-term weather patterns is called A) a biome. B) an average weather place. C) an ecosystem. D) a climatic region.
D
If you wanted to avoid earthquakes, which of the following areas would be the safest to live? A. A convergent plate boundary B. A divergent plate boundary C. An island arc along a subduction zone D. A shield
D
Outgassing refers to A) changes in the total amount of water on Earth through evapotranspiration. B) a steady-state equilibrium in the water system caused by cycles of evaporation and condensation. C) the dynamic equilibrium between surface and ocean water. D) process in which water and water vapor emerge from deep layers within and below the Earth's crust.
D
The wet season of the tropical monsoon climate of SE Asia occurs during the season of ________ Sun due to the presence of the ________ over the continent. (low Sun = "winter" and high Sun = "summer") A) low; subtropical high B) low; ITCZ C) high; subtropical high D) high; ITCZ
D
When geologists conclude that the Grand Canyon sequence of rocks was formed through hundreds of millions of years of deposition, mountain building, and erosion, they are basing this conclusion on the principle of ________ which states that ________. A. catastrophism; most rock formations were created as a result of supernatural processes B. catastrophism; a single, large flood was responsible for the creation of the rock sequence C. uniformitarianism; all geologic processes take immense amounts of time to occur and always occur at the same rate D. uniformitarianism; the geologic processes that operated in the past are the same as those that operate today, and they occurred in accordance with the same laws of nature that are operating today.
D
Which of the following gives the correct sequence of layers in Earth, from the surface to the center? A. crust, inner core, mantle, outer core B. inner core, outer core, mantle, crust C. mantle, crust, inner core, outer core D. crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
D
dry climate subcategories
Desert characteristics • Hot low-latitude desert climates • Cold midlatitude desert climates • Hot low-latitude steppe climates • Cold midlatitude steppe climates
Infiltration
Downward movement of water through soil.
formation of continental crust
Driven by tectonic activity plus weathering and erosion; Three crustal generation processes
Describe the origin of Earth's waters.
During Earth's early years (3.8 billion years ago) cooling water vapor emerged from layers deep within and below the crust. Condensation formed oceans and big lakes.
percolation
The process by which water moves downward in the soil, toward the groundwater system
Depict Earth's interior in cross section, and describe each distinct layer.
Earth's three major internal layers are core, mantle, and crust. The outer part of Earth's crust is divided into two layers. The uppermost mantle, along with the crust, makes up the lithosphere. Below the lithosphere is the asthenosphere, or plastic layer.
Earth's Time Scale
Eon>Era>Period>Epoch
exogenic processes
Forces generally originating in the atmosphere that, aided by gravity, shape Earth's surface; erosion by running water, glaciers, wind, and waves are examples; driving force is Sun
Microthermal climate subcategories
Humid continental hot-summer climates Humid continental mild-summer climates Subarctic climates (cool summers to very cold winters)
mesothermal climate subcategories
Humid subtropical hot-summer climates Marine west coast climates (warm to cool summers) Mediterranean dry-summer climates (dry summers)
continental cratons
Old and stable part of the continental lithosphere Found in interiors of tectonic plates - survived merging and rifting of continental plates
Construct the water budget equation, define each of the components, and explain its use.
Inputs (precipitation) - outputs (runoff/discharge, evapotranspiration) = change in soil water storage
dynamic equilibrium approach
Landscape formation is a balance between uplift (tectonics) and reduction (weathering and erosion)
Report the quantity of water that exists today, and list the locations of Earth's freshwater supply.
Ocean-99.22% Fresh-2.78% (surface-77.78% [ice and glaciers, freshwater laeks, saline lakes, atmosphere, rivers and streams], soil moisture-0.18%, groundwater-11.02%, deep groundwater-11.02%)
erosion
Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and CARRIED AWAY (i.e. weathering, glaciation)
Describe first, second, and third orders of relief, and list Earth's six major topographic regions.
Reliefs: vertical elevation differences in landscapes; Plains, high tablelands, hills and low tablelands, mountains, widely spaced mountains, and depressions.
Uniformitarianism
The same geologic processes that are operating today were operating in the past and at the same rate.
reverse fault
a type of dip-slip fault where the hanging wall slides upward; caused by compression in the crust
climate
The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time
weathering
The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.
Evapotranspiration
The evaporation of water from soil plus the transpiration of water from plants.
oceanic plate to continental plate collision orogenesis
The more dense oceanic plate subducts to the less dense continental plate, forming volcanic mountains through the melting and forcing of magma upward
interplate earthquakes
Those between two plates, initiated near plate boundaries, and producing nearly continuous linear or curvilinear zones
Describe climate classification systems, list the main categories of world climates
Tropical (tropical latitudes: 23.5°N- 23.5°S) Mesothermal (midlatitudes, mild winter) Microthermal (mid and high latitudes, cold winters) Polar (high latitudes and polar regions) Highland (high elevations at all latitudes; highlands have lower temperatures) Dry (permanent moisture deficits)
Tropical climate subcategories
Tropical rain forest climates (rainy all year, hot and wet) Tropical monsoon climates (6 to 12 months rainy) Tropical savanna climates (less than 6 months rainy)
Polar and highland climate subcategories
Tundra climate Icecap and ice sheet climate (cold and dry) Polar marine climate
foreshock
a small burst of shaking that occurs before a large earthquake
aftershock
a smaller earthquake following the main shock of a large earthquake.
strike-slip fault
a fault in which the sides of the fault are displaced horizontally; caused by shear in the crust; landforms:
sedimentary rock
a rock that forms from compressed or cemented layers of sediment
divergent plate boundary
an area beneath the ocean where tectonic plates move away from each other
explosive volcano
an entergentic eruption that produces mainly ash, pumice, and fragmental debris
Richeter Scale
based on amplitude of seismic waves, which is related to energy released
streamflow
channeled movement of water along a valley bottom
intraplate earthquakes
earthquakes that occur away from plate boundaries; located within a single plate
volcanic features
formed by surface accumulation of molten rock from eruptions of subsurface materials
What are the principal components of Earth's climate system?
insolation, temperature, pressure, air masses, precipitation
hydrologic cycle
involves the continues movement of water in all its states throughout the lower atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere
effusive volcano
lava steadily flows out of a volcano onto the ground
oceanic plate to oceanic plate collision orogenesis
occurs in the very bottom of the ocean; one plate is heavy than the other, so when they collide, one subducts under the other, forming a large trench and submarine volcanoes and eventually an island arc
continental plate to continental plate collision orogenesis
one plate subducts under a lighter plate, but since no water is present, a rupture occurs and the forces of that rupture push the mountains upward.
Explain the precipitation and moisture-efficiency criteria used to classify the arid and semiarid climates
precipitation is higher in steppes (semiarid) than in deserts (arid)
surface runoff
precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground or return to the atmosphere by evaporation
Tectonics & Mountain Building Processes
produced by folding, faulting, and crustal movements
igneous rock
rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies
metamorphic rock
rock that has been changed by heat and pressure
Actual Evapotranspiration (AET)
soil water limited evapotranspiration; driving factors: energy availability in the air and water surface water availability wind speed air humidity
Describe the nature of groundwater, and define the elements of the groundwater environment.
unconfined aquifer and confined aquifer
