Question 1

A thin strip of land separating abutted cut banks on opposite ends of a meander loop is a(n)____________.
A) meander neck
B) cut bank
C) point bar
D) abandoned meander

Accepted Answer

A meander neck is a thin strip of land that separates cut banks on opposite ends of a meander loop. It is formed when erosion of the outer bank of a meander loop occurs at a faster rate than deposition on the inner bank, resulting in the formation of a narrow neck of land between the two cut banks. Option B (cut bank) and Option C (point bar) are not correct as they are different features of a meandering river, and Option D (abandoned meander) is also not correct as it refers to a meander loop that has been cut off from the river and left behind as a curved, oxbow-shaped body of water.

Question 2

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) uniformly to either side of the meander

Accepted Answer

Sediment is most likely to be deposited on the inner banks of the meander because the water flow slows down on the inside of a curve, allowing sediment to settle and accumulate there.

Question 3

Which river threatens to capture the flow of the Mississippi River?
A) Old Muddy River
B) New River
C) Atchafalaya River
D) Zydeco River

Accepted Answer

The Atchafalaya River has a steeper gradient than the Mississippi River and is already carrying approximately 30% of the Mississippi River's flow. This natural process, known as river capture or avulsion, could result in the Atchafalaya River fully capturing the flow of the Mississippi River in the future.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The outer edge of a meander where material is being eroded is called a cut bank. This area experiences higher flow velocity and erosion due to the sweeping bends of the meander.

Question 5

The shape of a delta is primarily determined by ____________.
A) the shape of the river channel near the mouth
B) the average grain size of the suspended and bed loads
C) whether river currents, wave-driven currents, or tidal currents are locally predominant
D) the type of rock that is weathering at outcrops near the headwaters of the river

Accepted Answer

The shape of a delta is primarily determined by whether river currents, wave-driven currents, or tidal currents are locally predominant. This is because the shape of the delta is primarily shaped by how the sediment is transported and deposited by the currents in the area.

Question 6

The primary stream fed by tributaries within a drainage basin is termed a _________.
A) lead stream
B) trunk stream
C) taproot stream
D) pirate stream

Accepted Answer

The trunk stream is the primary stream fed by tributaries within a drainage basin. It carries the majority of the water within the drainage basin and is the main channel through which water flows out of the area. The other answer choices (lead stream, taproot stream, pirate stream) are not commonly used terms in hydrology.

Question 7

The discharge of a river traveling through a humid region will typically ___________ downstream; the discharge of a river traveling through an arid region will typically ____________ downstream.
A) increase; increase
B) decrease; decrease
C) increase; decrease
D) decrease; increase

Accepted Answer

In a humid region, there is usually more rainfall, which leads to higher levels of soil moisture and groundwater. This extra water is continually fed into the river, causing the river's discharge to increase downstream.

On the other hand, in an arid region, there is minimal rainfall, and water is either quickly evaporated or absorbed into the soil. As a result, there is less water available to feed into the river, leading to a decrease in discharge downstream.

Question 8

A 100-year flood is more catastrophic than a 50-year flood.

Accepted Answer

A 100-year flood has a greater probability of occurring and therefore tends to cause more damage and destruction than a 50-year flood.

Question 9

The deltas of all major rivers consist of multiple radiating lobes of sediment in a "bird's foot" configuration,similar to the Mississippi River delta.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The deltas of all major rivers consist...

Question 10

All else being equal,water will flow faster in a stream that has a ____________.
A) steep stream gradient
B) gentle stream gradient

Accepted Answer

A steep stream gradient means that the elevation of the land around the stream changes quickly, leading to a faster flow of water downhill. This is why water will flow faster in a stream with a steep stream gradient compared to a gentle stream gradient.

Question 11

If a 50-year flood occurs on the Mississippi River in 2010,what is the probability that a flood of the same magnitude will occur in 2011?
A) zero
B) 1%
C) 2%
D) 50%

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a 50-year flood occurs on the...

Question 12

All the water in rivers and streams arrives directly from rainfall runoff.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All the water in rivers and streams...

Question 13

At a waterfall,where two sedimentary lithologies are juxtaposed,which lithology is more likely to form the cliff over which the water falls?
A) sandstone
B) shale

Accepted Answer

Sandstone is a harder and more resistant lithology compared to shale. It can withstand erosion better and will form the cliff over which the water falls. Shale is softer and more easily eroded, so it is less likely to form a cliff.

Question 14

The distinction between a valley and a canyon is ____________.
A) nonexistent; the two terms are synonymous
B) the sides of a canyon are steeper than those of a valley
C) the sides of a valley are steeper than those of a canyon
D) valleys are often cut by streams; canyons are eroded out by the wind

Accepted Answer

The sides of a canyon are typically steeper than those of a valley. While both landforms are formed by erosion, canyons are more deeply eroded and have steeper sides, creating a more dramatic landscape.

Question 15

All else being equal,water will flow faster in a stream with ____________.
A) well-developed meanders
B) a straight channel

Accepted Answer

Water will flow faster in a straight channel because there are no obstacles or curves to slow it down. In a stream with well-developed meanders, the water will have to flow around the curves, which will result in a slower flow.

Question 16

A meander that is cut off to become completely isolated from the main channel and that dries up is a(n)____________.
A) meander neck
B) cut bank
C) oxbow lake
D) abandoned meander

Accepted Answer

An abandoned meander is a meander that has been cut off from the main channel and can dry up, unlike an oxbow lake which retains water.

Question 17

A meander that is cut off to become completely isolated from the main channel but that retains water is a(n)____________.
A) meander neck
B) cut bank
C) oxbow lake
D) abandoned meander

Accepted Answer

An oxbow lake is a meander that has been cut off and completely isolated from the main channel, but still retains water in a curved lake shape.

Question 18

The inner edge of a meander,where sediment is deposited,is a(n)____________.
A) meander neck
B) cut bank
C) point bar
D) abandoned meander

Accepted Answer

The inner edge of a meander, where sediment is deposited, is called a point bar.

Question 19

Ultimately,the base level of a stream valley can be no lower than ____________.
A) the average elevation of the continent on which it is found
B) sea level
C) the average elevation of the ocean basins

Accepted Answer

The base level of a stream valley refers to the lowest point that a stream can erode its channel, which is typically sea level. While the average elevation of the continent or ocean basins may affect the gradient of the stream, it does not set a limit on how low the base level can be.

Question 20

All flooding events occur so rapidly that there is no time to alert people in harm's way.

Accepted Answer

While some flooding events, such as flash floods, can occur rapidly, many others give advance warning and time for people to evacuate or take other necessary actions. For example, river floods may be forecasted days or even weeks in advance based on weather and hydrological data.

Quiz 14: Running Water: the Geology of Streams and Floods

A thin strip of land separating abutted cut banks on opposite ends of a meander loop is a(n) ____________.

Within a meander,where is sediment most likely to be deposited?

Which river threatens to capture the flow of the Mississippi River?

The outer edge of a meander,where material is being eroded,is a(n) ____________.

The shape of a delta is primarily determined by ____________.

The primary stream fed by tributaries within a drainage basin is termed a _________.

The discharge of a river traveling through a humid region will typically _ downstream; the discharge of a river traveling through an arid region will typically __ downstream.

A 100-year flood is more catastrophic than a 50-year flood.

The deltas of all major rivers consist of multiple radiating lobes of sediment in a "bird's foot" configuration,similar to the Mississippi River delta.

All else being equal,water will flow faster in a stream that has a ____________.

If a 50-year flood occurs on the Mississippi River in 2010,what is the probability that a flood of the same magnitude will occur in 2011?

All the water in rivers and streams arrives directly from rainfall runoff.

At a waterfall,where two sedimentary lithologies are juxtaposed,which lithology is more likely to form the cliff over which the water falls?

The distinction between a valley and a canyon is ____________.

All else being equal,water will flow faster in a stream with ____________.

A meander that is cut off to become completely isolated from the main channel and that dries up is a(n) ____________.

A meander that is cut off to become completely isolated from the main channel but that retains water is a(n) ____________.

The inner edge of a meander,where sediment is deposited,is a(n) ____________.

Ultimately,the base level of a stream valley can be no lower than ____________.

All flooding events occur so rapidly that there is no time to alert people in harm's way.