Geology 1390 Exam 3 Quizzes

Why does withdrawal of fluids sometimes lead to subsidence?

A) The fluid pressure provides partial support for the overlying rock mass.

B) The water holds subsurface caves open

C) The water adds weight to the mass of Earth materials

D) The smaller amount of water leads to greater chemical weathering

the fluid pressure provides partial support for the overlying rock mass

T/F

Hillslopes are typically static systems

false

A comprehensive term for any type of downslope movement of Earth materials is

a) subsidence

b) debris flow

c) avalanche

d) mass wasting

mass wasting

On what information is a hazard map based?

a) grading codes for hazard construction

b) climate

c) subsurface water flow

d) geology and inventory of past landslides

geology and inventory of past landslides

Vegetation influences landslides in part by

Show answer choices

aerating the soil

promoting deeper weathering of underlying rock

influencing the local climate

anchoring the slope materials

anchoring the slope materials

Why are landslides more common on steep slopes?

Show answer choices

Slope angle determines the relative magnitude of driving forces.

Steeper slopes typically are underlain by weaker Earth materials.

The steeper the slope, the less vegetation plays a role in anchoring the slope.

Water flows much faster on steep slopes.

Slope angle determines the relative magnitude of driving forces

Why is drainage control sometimes an effective method of landslide control?

Show answer choices

it reduces the amount of water in the hillslope materials

it reduces the thickness of the slide mass

it reduces the permeability of the rocks

it reduces the growth of vegetation

it reduces the amount of water in the hillslope materials

1. Erosion of the base of a slope may increase landslide hazards by oversteepening the slope.

   T

   True

   F

   False

true

Slope processes are dynamic features that depend on which of the following?

Show answer choices

vegetation

topography

climate

water

rock types

geologic time

all of the above

How do slumps and translational slides differ?

Show answer choices

translational slides are more damaging

slumps are more damaging

translational slides are planar

slumps are rotational

slumps are rotational

translational slides are planar

Slumps and debris flows tend to occur separately in time and space.

True or False

false

Grading of slopes can either increase or decrease landslide hazards.

True or false

False

How does road construction associated with timber harvesting contribute to landslide hazards?

The roads loosen the soil, making shallow soil slips more likely.

The roads alter the movement of surface water and groundwater.

The roads add weight to the hillslope.

Road construction removes large numbers of trees.

The roads alter the movement of surface water and groundwater

Erosion of the base of a slope may increase landslide hazards by oversteepening the slope.

True

Types of mass wasting events include:

tsunamis

creep

avalanches

landslides

slumps

earthquakes

creep

avalanches

landslides

slumps

1. The following human land use changes can impact the occurrence of mass wasting events:

   inadequate controls of storm water runoff

   urbanization

   irrigation

   dam construction

   backfilling with loose materials

all of these

Hurricanes in the tropical Atlantic Ocean tend to originate as

typhoons off the Iberian Peninsula

major pressure lows over the equatorial ocean

thunderstorms in West Africa

minor perturbations of the jet stream

thunderstorms in West Afr

Which of the following does not influence wave size?

wind fetch (the distance the wind travels)

wind temperature

wind duration

wind velocity

wind temperature

Soft stabilization of coastal erosion utilizes seawalls constructed of soft, cushioned materials versus hard materials such as steel.

True or False

false

What adverse effect do groins and jetties both have on coastal erosion?

They stop longshore transport of sand and starve down-drift areas of sand.

They rob the waves of their energy to transport sand.

They reflect waves across the beach.

They cause the waves striking the structure to increase in height and erosive power

they stop longshore transport of sand and starve down-drift areas of sand

Coastal landscapes are capable of rapid change because continental and oceanic processes converge there

true or false

true

The current flowing parallel to and just offshore of a beach is called

longshore current

down current

beach current

rip current

longshore current

Why are the impacts of coastal hazards so great?

because many populated areas are located near the coasts

because they are high magnitude/low frequency hazards

because coastal hazards are particularly intense natural hazards

because coastal erosion extends far inland

because many populated areas are located near the coasts

The goal of groin installation is to trap sand.

True or false

true

As waves enter shallow water, what happens to them? Select more than one correct answer.

wavelength decreases

wave height increases

wavelength increases

wave height decreases

wave height increases

wavelength decreases

The incidences of coastal hazards is expected to increase in the future because (select more than one correct answer).

warming climate causing stronger tsunamis

warming climate causing stronger hurricanes

increasing population and development in coastal regions

warming climate causing stronger rip currents

Warming climate causes stronger hurricanes

Increasing population and development in coastal regions

Warming climate causing stronger rip currents

Why does river damming sometimes contribute to coastal erosion?

The reservoirs occasionally flood through a distributary channel, eroding the beach.

The supply of water to the longshore current is reduced.

The channel between jetties tends to become clogged with sand.

The supply of sediment to beaches is shut off.

The supply of sediment to beaches is shut off

Why do waves expend so much energy on a rocky headland?

Waves reflect off the headland and amplify the incoming waves.

Headlands tend to have deeper water surrounding them, so the waves are higher.

Wave velocity is greater on headlands than on beaches.

Waves refract toward the headland on both sides.

Waves refract toward the headland on both sides.

What is the main drawback of seawalls?

They tend not to protect the seacliff very well.

They stop the longshore transport of sand.

They trap sand, forcing the ocean around the beach, where it erodes intensively.

They reflect wave energy back across the beach and cause erosio

They reflect wave energy back across the beach and cause erosion

Serious coastal hazards include: Select more than one correct answer.

hurricanes

rip currents

longshore currents

tsunamis

All of these

1. Coastal erosion along the Gulf coast has accelerated by 30-40% over the past 100 years and is due to: Select more than one correct answer.

   land subsidence due to groundwater and petroleum extraction

   increased sediment supply as a result of damming of rivers

   coastal engineered structures

   gradual rise of sea lever due to climate change

land subsidence due to groundwater and petroleum extraction

increased sediment supply as a result of damming of rivers

coastal engineered structures

gradual rise of sea lever due to climate change

What aspect of hurricanes tends to cause the greatest death and destruction?

the intense wind

lightning from thunderstorms spawned by the cyclone

flooding from rain, waves, and storm surge

the intensely low atmospheric pressure in the storm's eye

flooding from rain, waves, and storm surge

Engineered structures are designed to protect man-made structures along the coast. These include:

jetties

beach nourishment

seawalls

groins

jetties

seawalls

groins

The water table separates confined and unconfined aquifers.

True or False

false

Which of the following are true of the Edwards Aquifer in central Texas?

it supplies water to Barton Springs in Austin

it is the primary source of drinking water for central Texas

there is enough water in the aquifer for unlimited use

it is a karst aquifer 

it supplies water to Barton Springs in Austin

it is the primary source of drinking water for Central Texas

it is a karst aquifer

Runoff in areas of shale bedrock tends to be less that in areas of gravel because of the high porosity of shale.

True or False

false

Wetlands contribute to poor water quality and harm flood control.

True or False

false

Groundwater movement is proportional to porosity.

True or False

false

Which of the following would likely serve as an aquitard?

fractured gneiss

clay

sand

gravel

clay

A cone of depression forms when water is pumped from an unconfined aquifer, but not when water is pumped from a confined aquifer.

True or false

false

The velocity of surface water flow influences the amount of soil or sediment the water can erode.

True or false

true

Groundwater mining is accomplished by

high discharge of water to streams

very clean miners

thorough exploration for groundwater resources

pumping that exceeds recharge

pumping that exceeds recharge

The water table separates confined and unconfined aquifers.

True or False

false

Desalination is very expensive and is used only where alternative water sources are unavailable.

True or False

true

Warning systems for landslide-prone areas include:

stop or reroute traffic

monitoring of tilt meters

time for evacuation

public awareness and education

All of these

Sinkholes often result from water table fluctuations.

True or false

true

How does road construction associated with timber harvesting contribute to landslide hazards?

The roads alter the movement of surface water and groundwater.

Road construction removes large numbers of trees.

The roads loosen the soil, making shallow soil slips more likely.

The roads add weight to the hillslope.

The roads alter the movement of surface water and groundwater.

Why might the infiltration of water deep into a slide mass increase landslide hazards?

The water increases the pore water pressure, effectively lifting the slide mass from stable ground beneath.

Water will erode the subsurface materials, reducing strength of the slide mass.

Deep infiltration forces vegetation to root more deeply.

Water in the deep subsurface influences soil formation, leading to shallow soil slips.

The water increases the pore water pressure, effectively lifting the slide mass from stable ground beneath.

Grading of slopes can either increase or decrease landslide hazards.

True or false

True

Causes of subsurface ground failure include:

dissolution of salt beds

subsurface coal mining

dissolution of limestone

strip mining of copper

subsidence caused by withdrawal of groundwater

subsidence caused by withdrawal of oil and gas

dissolution of salt beds

subsurface coal mining

dissolution of limestone

subsidence caused by withdrawal of groundwater

subsidence caused by withdrawal of oil and gas

In Yosemite National Park, strong bedrock influences the formation of what types of hillslopes?

convex upper slopes

concave lower slopes

free cliff faces and talus piles

glacial

free cliff faces and talus piles

Hurricanes tend to strengthen over warm ocean water

True or false

True

What is the principal goal of beach nourishment?

to maintain a positive beach budget and alleviate the need for engineered structures

to keep jetties from accumulating so much sand that they fill in river channels

to eliminate littoral transport

to augment the sand supply so that engineered structures work more efficiently

to maintain a positive beach budget and alleviate the need for engineered structures

 The overpumping of groundwater in the Long Island area has resulted in which of the following?

lowering of groundwater levels 

intrusion of salty groundwater

drying up of streams

injection of stream water to recharge groundwater

lowering of groundwater levels

intrusion of salty groundwater

drying up of streams

The boundary between drainage basins is called the

high point

basin split

drainage divide

watershed

drainage divide

Why is karst topography a concern for groundwater quality?

The limestone of karst systems dissolves into the water.

Caves tend to have high levels of carbon monoxide, which dissolves in the water.

Waste disposed in karst areas can easily infiltrate into the ground.

Sinkholes form from collapsed caverns.

Waste disposed in karst areas can easily infiltrate into the ground

If water is so abundant on Earth, why are water resources such a big concern?

Humans are not very adept at exploiting water resources, so many go unused.

Most of the water on earth is frozen in polar ice sheets.

Most of the water is caught up in the hydrologic cycle and is therefore not readily available.

Water resources are not necessarily where humans need them and when they need them.

Water resources are not necessarily where humans need them and when they need them

Surface water and groundwater are

interconnected systems

effluent systems

completely separate systems

offstream systems

interconnected systems

Why is sediment yield an important consideration in a discussion of water supplies?

Sediment yield affects the amount of water that is available.

Soil erosion restricts water flow to streams.

Sediment is a common water pollutant.

Water resources and sediment resources are closely intertwined.

Sediment is a common water pollutant.

Water pressure is generally greater in a confined aquifer than in an unconfined aquifer.

True or false

True

Groundwater mining in the Ogallala aquifer is a function of the very small amount of water contained in the aquifer.

False

Vegetation decreases runoff by

reflecting only the green portion of sunlight

holding soil in place

intercepting rainfall and slowing its fall to the ground

absorbing water into leaves

intercepting rainfall and slowing its fall to the ground

he Colorado River Basin: Which of the following issues are found in this area?

the river has sufficient water for everyone

dam construction has reduced flow in the river

dam construction has impacted sediment distribution

the river is essentially dry by the time it reaches the Gulf of California

water from the river is appropriated to seven western states and Mexico

dam construction has reduced flow in the river

dam construction has impacted sediment distribution

the river is essentially dry by the time it reaches the Gulf of California

water from the river is appropriated to seven western states and Mexico

The biomagnification of mercury occurs as mercury moves through

tissues of aquatic algae

the aquatic food chain

insect swarms

the body of a fish

the aquatic food chain

Why is municipal wastewater sludge considered problematic?

it sometimes contains heavy metals

it has a high biochemical oxygen demand

it has no known use

it is too rich in nutrients

it sometimes contains heavy metals

Which of the following would be considered a point source of pollution?

yard fertilizer in runoff

agricultural runoff

street runoff

industrial wastewater discharge

industrial wastewater discharge

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are removed from municipal wastewater by secondary treatment.

True or false

False

Septic tank systems can contribute nitrate contamination to groundwater.

True or false

True

Thermal pollution is harmful to some organisms, but actually helps others survive.

True or false

True

Why did Congress require the Environmental Protection Agency to establish minimum drinking water standards?

The long-term effects of small amounts of chemical contamination were unknown.

Laboratory detection limits of common contaminants became much more sensitive.

Long-term exposure to small amounts of chemicals was proven to be hazardous.

Levels of contaminants in municipal drinking water systems rose to toxic levels.

The long-term effects of small amounts of chemical contamination were unknown.

Acid mine drainage is a problem because

the acid water may mobilize hazardous heavy metals

it dissolves limestone

it represents a waste of ore that could be mined

it adds sulfur to coal, making it less desirable as a fuel source

The acid water may mobilize hazardous heavy metals

Heavy metals remain suspended in the water column indefinitely.

True or false

false

1. Common pollutants in water include:

   sediment

   oxygen-demanding waste

   nutrients

   toxic waste

   petroleum

   pathogenic microbes

all of these

What is the principal cause of septic system failure?

plugging of delivery pipes

poor tank design

failure of advanced treatment systems

poor soil drainage

poor soil drainage

Because they are of smaller scale, non-point source pollution sources are more easily regulated and controlled than are point sources.

False

All coliform bacteria are harmless.

True or false

False

The level of decaying organic matter in water is indicated by what measure?

biochemical oxygen demand

eutrophication index

fecal coliform

nitrogen and phosphorus

biochemical oxygen demand

If sediment is from natural sources, why is it considered a water pollutant?

it is toxic at its source, so it is also toxic in the water

it is usually laden with mercury

it is an out-of-place resource

it is only a pollutant if it contains agricultural chemicals

it is an out-of-place resource

What is the principal cause of cultural eutrophication?

elevated levels of phosphorus and nitrogen

elevated biochemical oxygen demand

heavy metals in treated municipal water

elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria

elevated levels of phosphorus and nitrogen

Saltwater intrusion results from

overpumping of groundwater

injection of brine wastes into aquifers

hurricane-induced flooding of land surfaces

rising salinity of seawater

overpumping of groundwater

Groundwater pollution is better alleviated by prevention than by treatment.

True

What measures have largely eliminated waterborne diseases in the United States?

water renovation and conservation

separation of sewage and drinking water

stringent pig farm regulations

the Clean Water Act

separation of sewage and drinking water

The main concern with organic chemicals in groundwater is their flammability.

False

Septic tank systems can contribute nitrate contamination to groundwater.

True

Eutrophication can occur in the absence of human influences.

True