Exam 3 review - physical geography

An imaginary surface extending beneath the continents which limits how deap streams may cut

base level

branching channels that cross a delta are known as

distributaries

The general term applied to stream-depoisitied debris is

alluvium

the detachment and removal of fragmented rock material is known as

erosion

transports materials directly after they are loosened by splash erosion

sheet erosion

(In fluvial system) which is a large, broad area that all the others are a part of?

drainage basin

Niagra falls is a large waterfall on a river, so it can be considered an example of a

knickpoint

__ is a measure of the particle size a stream can transport

competence

Which of the following decreases with increasing stream order number

average stream gradient

A __ pattern of drainage usually develops on alternating bands of hard and soft strata on the surface.

trellis 

The deepest part of a stream channel is known as the

thalweg

The land separating adjoining valleys is known as a(n)

interfluve

In a meandering stream, macimum erosion takes place along the

outer edge of the meanders

In a straight stretch of a stream, the flow usually is fastest

bear the center and slightly below the surface

__ not a characteristic of a stream flow

overland flow

In terms of erosion, a gully is a larger example of a feature called a

rill

The drainage pattern that looks like the veins on the underside of a leaf

dendritic

In dry climates, __ is a prevalent weathering process

salt wedging

Water penetrating into soil promotes chemical weathering by acting as a weak

acid

Clays are sometimes instrumental in mass movements because of their ability to

absorb water

Denudation is not closely related to

internal processes

Which process must take place first during the denudation of a landscape

weathering

A __ woukd be an expected result of soil creep

tilted fence post

Water is a major agent of weathering because of its propery that, when it freezes, it decreases in density and

expands in volume

The rock debris which accumulates at the base of steep slopes by gravitational action is called

talus

The general term signifying the overall lowering of the rock material of the Earth’s crust is

denudation

Which of the following processes is most closely associated with rusting

oxidation

Mass movements are likely to happen

after heavy rains

Which of the following is not a facilitator of mass wasting

flat landscapes

The depth of weathering is usually greatest in the 

tropical forest

Worldwide, the single most important chemical weathering agent is

water

A weathering type associated with curved and concentric sets of joints break away in successive layers is called

exfoliation

carbonate rock is closely associated with

solution cavities

Gravity is the main force impelling movement in all of the following exvept

hydrolysis

Salt wedging is of slight consequence in

humid regions

the main downslope movement of subarctic and arctic landscapes is

solifluction

Usually has a larger influence on costal topography than in the interior of continents

wind

The forces of __, in conjunction with the wind, is cause of most waves

friction

The cascading forward motion of breaking waves as they rush upon the shore is called

swash

The vertical distance from the still water level to the crest of a wave is called the

amplitude

If you were floating in the middle of the ocean and a wave passed by, your motion would be

up and down

A wave will break because

the bottom interferes with its oscillatory motion

The distance between one wave crest and the next is known as 

the wavelength

the undercut area in the bottom of the cliff is called a

notch

seismic sea waves may also be referred to as

tsunami

The difference between a large wind-generated wave and a tsunami is that the tsunami is

capable of surging great distance inland

The oceanic tides rise and fall in a rhythmic cycle that takes place roughly once every __ hours

12

Stream outflow is important to coastal landscapes because streams provide __ to costal environments 

sediments

Water moving roughly parallel to the shoreline is called

longshore current

An island connected to the coastline by a sandy spit is a relatively rare occurrence called a

Tombolo

Overtime, most costal lagoons become

marshes

Most atolls began as __ around volcanic islands which later subsided beneatht he sea

fringing reefs

Calcium carbonate affects coastal landforms because it is produced in huge amounts by

polyps

The resulting solution of what chemical commonly found dissolved in groundwater can lead to dissolution in bedrock

Carbon dioxide

Where are active dissolution processes rarely found

arid climates

What often produces colorful precipitated minerals because of improved solution properties and large mineral content?

hot springs

What helps groundwater penetrate rock and enhance dissolution processes

joints

What is significantly responsible for the formation of horizontally expansive underground limestone caverns

extensive bedding planes

What is the first phase in the formation of a cavern

excavation

What is a speleothem that grows from the surface of a cavern and does not make contact with any other features

stalagmite

What type of rock us mostly associated with karst landscapes

limestone

What is NOT one of the landforms associated with karst topography

speleothems

What is a rounded depression formed by dissolution of carbonate rocks at a joint intersection on the surface

Sinkholes

why are karst landscapes largely missing surface drainage

water flows in underground channels

What is the primary reason for the many hypothermal features in yellow stone national park?

near-surface underground magma chamber

What is NOT true about the hydrothermal conditions forming hot springs and geysers?

areas of hydrothermal activity are extensive

Which feature, which erupts intermittently, results from superheated water and stream that builds pressure underground?

geysers

What is the hydrothermal feature that constantly emits steam and contains little water

fumarole

What speleothems are most prevalent in this image

stalactite