Question 1

Loess deposits occur worldwide on every major continent other than Antarctica.

Accepted Answer

Loess deposits are widespread and found on every major continent, including Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia.

Question 2

Saltation accounts for the majority of material transported by the wind.

Accepted Answer

Saltation is the movement of sand-sized particles in a series of short hops or bounces along the ground. It is the most common way in which wind transports sediment, accounting for the majority of material transported by the wind.

Question 3

Most of Earth's desert lands are covered by the familiar sand seas.

Accepted Answer

While sand seas are a common feature of deserts, they do not cover most of Earth's desert lands. Other desert types include rocky deserts, salt flats, and gravel plains.

Question 4

Soils formed from loess tend to be infertile.

Accepted Answer

Soils formed from loess actually tend to be very fertile.

Question 5

The dust in a dust storm consists primarily of wind-blown sand.

Accepted Answer

Dust storms primarily consist of fine particles like silt and clay, not sand, which is too heavy to be lifted and carried by the wind over long distances.

Question 6

The Persian Gulf War resulted in the disruption and destruction of thousands of square kilometers of desert pavement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Persian Gulf War resulted in the...

Question 7

Alluvial fans often serve as groundwater sources.

Accepted Answer

Alluvial fans typically consist of sediment and gravel deposits that have accumulated at the base of mountain ranges from the runoff of streams and rivers. This sediment is often porous, allowing groundwater to accumulate and become an important source of water for nearby communities and ecosystems.

Question 8

Barchan, transverse, and parabolic dunes are all types of crescentic sand dunes.

Accepted Answer

Barchan, transverse, and parabolic dunes are all crescent-shaped sand dunes, and therefore all fall under the category of crescentic dunes.

Question 9

Principal arid and semiarid lands only occur on the continental landmasses of the Northern Hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

Arid and semiarid lands can be found on both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, including Australia, Africa, and South America. Therefore, the statement is false.

Question 10

Much of desertification is due to human actions.

Accepted Answer

Human activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, and farming practices have caused much of the desertification we are seeing today.

Question 11

The amount of Colorado River water allocated to various states was based on an overestimate of the typical average annual discharge; consequently, there is not enough water available to meet the allocation requirements.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the situation with the allocation of Colorado River water. Due to an overestimate of the river's typical average annual discharge, there is not enough water available to meet the allocation requirements of the various states that rely on the river for their water supply. This has led to ongoing discussions and negotiations over how to fairly and sustainably manage the limited water resources of the Colorado River.

Question 12

Active and stable sand regions occur on every major continent except Antarctica.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Active and stable sand regions are found in various parts of the world, including deserts, beaches, and dunes. Antarctica is the only continent that has no active and stable sand regions.

Question 13

A ventifact can be used to determine the dominant wind direction in an area.

Accepted Answer

Ventifacts are rocks that have been shaped and polished by wind-blown particles. The direction of their long axes can indicate the direction of the prevailing winds in an area. Therefore, ventifacts are useful for determining the dominant wind direction in an area.

Quiz 12: Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes