Question 1

Geologic processes powered by wind are called ___ processes.

Accepted Answer

Geologic processes powered by wind are called eolian processes. Alluvial processes are powered by water and fluvial processes are specific to rivers and streams.

Question 2

Landscapes result from the interaction between which two geosystems?

Accepted Answer

Landscapes are shaped by the interactions between climate and plate tectonics. Climate influences erosion, weathering, and deposition processes while plate tectonics affect landforms through uplift, subsidence, and the creation of landforms such as mountains, valleys, and coastal features. The other two combinations, climate and geodynamo, and geodynamo and plate tectonics, also have an impact on landscape evolution, but not as significant as the interaction between climate and plate tectonics.

Question 3

On time scales of hundreds of millions of years, which of the following statements about landscape evolution is true?

Accepted Answer

On time scales of hundreds of millions of years, tectonic uplift is generally more important than climatic variations in shaping landscape evolution. While climate can certainly have an impact on erosion and sedimentation rates, the slow and steady changes in topography associated with tectonic activity have a more profound effect on long-term landscape evolution.

Question 4

What is the cause of the hazard associated with the "Skeleton Coast"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the cause of the hazard...

Question 5

Most recorded shipwrecks occur within sight of a coastline.

Accepted Answer

According to historical data, most shipwrecks happen within sight of a coastline. This is mainly because ships tend to travel closer to land due to navigational reasons or to seek shelter from storms.

Question 6

The factor that dictates whether water in a stream channel undergoes turbulent or laminar flow is _________.

Accepted Answer

All three factors - velocity of the water, geometry of the stream channel, and viscosity of the water - play a role in determining whether the flow is turbulent or laminar. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 7

-In the map of Earth, where do the trade winds occur?

Accepted Answer

The answer of 
-In the map of Earth, where do...

Question 8

In which of the following flow patterns do streamlines run parallel to one another with no mixing between layers?

Accepted Answer

In laminar flow, streamlines run parallel to each other with no mixing between layers. In turbulent flow, there is mixing and flow is irregular.

Question 9

In total, about how much dissolved matter is delivered annually to the ocean by river transport?

Accepted Answer

Rivers transport approximately 2-4 billion tons of dissolved matter to the ocean annually, showcasing the significant role they play in the global material cycle.

Question 10

What term is used to indicate a geologic process powered by wind?

Accepted Answer

The term used to indicate a geologic process powered by wind is "Eolian."

Question 11

In geology, the term stream is applied to any body of water flowing over the surface, regardless of the size of that body of water.

Accepted Answer

This is true, as the term "stream" refers to any flowing body of water on the surface, from small creeks to large rivers.

Question 12

The rocky cliffs that characterize the Oregon coast are the result of tectonic subsidence.

Accepted Answer

The rocky cliffs of the Oregon coast are the result of erosion by the Pacific Ocean, not tectonic subsidence.

Question 13

What type of flow can transport fine-grained clay particles?

Accepted Answer

Both laminar and turbulent flow can transport fine-grained clay particles. Laminar flow moves particles in a smooth, constant direction, while turbulent flow is more chaotic and moves particles in multiple directions. Both types of flow can carry clay particles due to their small size and low settling velocity.

Question 14

What type of transport mechanism forms ripples and dunes composed of sand grains?

Accepted Answer

Both streams and wind can transport sand grains, forming ripples and dunes through their movement. This process is a key aspect of both aeolian (related to wind) and fluvial (related to rivers and streams) geomorphology.

Question 15

Which of the following terms describes the speed at which suspended particles become part of a stream bed?

Accepted Answer

Settling velocity describes the speed at which suspended particles become part of a stream bed. Capacity refers to the total amount of sediment a stream can carry, while discharge refers to the volume of water flowing through the stream.

Question 16

The steeper, downwind side of a sand dune is called a

Accepted Answer

The downwind side of a sand dune is called a slip face. This is because the wind causes sand particles to cascade down this steep slope, creating a "slippery" surface that can be dangerous for hikers or vehicles. Sand drifts and ventifacts are also related to sand dunes, but they refer to specific features rather than the slope itself. Sand drifts are piles of sand that accumulate in certain areas due to wind patterns and other factors, while ventifacts are rocks or other hard objects that have been eroded by sandblasting.

Question 17

The slope of the upwind side of a sand dune is ___ the angle of repose.

Accepted Answer

The angle of repose is the maximum angle at which loose material remains stationary without sliding downslope. This angle varies for different materials and is generally around 30-35 degrees for sand. The slope of the upwind side of a sand dune is typically less than the angle of repose, as the sand grains are being deposited by the wind and tend to accumulate at a gentler slope. Therefore, choice C (less than) is the best answer.

Question 18

-In the map of a stream, the arrow is pointing to a(n) ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 
-In the map of a stream, the...

Question 19

-What type of drainage pattern is depicted in the map?

Accepted Answer

Dendritic drainage patterns are characterized by a branching pattern that resembles the veins of a leaf. The streams in a dendritic drainage pattern are typically short and have a high sinuosity.

Question 20

Stream valleys are made up of ___________ deposits.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Stream valleys are made up of ___________...

Quiz 12: Shaping Earths Surface: Streams, Coastlines, and Wind