Part 1-
What are some of the drawbacks to building Flood-Control Dams? Explain how a reservoir behind a dam can lower its own capacity for storage and ultimately greatly reduce its effectiveness.
Part 2-
At one time it was thought that the deep-ocean trenches at subduction zones would be a good place for disposal of high-level radioactive waste. Why is this not a good idea? Explain what can happen at a subduction zone and what might occur if the waste were buried there. (Hint: see oceanic-continental convergence.)
How are faults, foci (plural of focus), and epicenters related? Faults that are experiencing no active creep (relatively consistent yet minor movements) may be considered "safe." Rebut or defend this statement with what you have learned so far about faults.
Part 3-
Contrast the philosophies of Catastrophism and Uniformitarianism. What are the major differences in how each philosophy addresses the age of the Earth? Finally, while neither philosophy should be taken too literally, which philosophy has been deemed more accurate by the scientific community? Why?
Discuss volcanic hazards. Although commonly thought to be associated with most volcanic eruptions (by the general public), lava is rarely responsible for the loss of life. Which hazards would tend to be more deadly? Finally, indicate and discuss those hazards that are a direct result of a volcanic eruption as well as those hazards that are indirectly linked. (Hint: think of "indirectly associated" hazards as "side effects.")
Part 4-
Shorelines are temporary geologic and topographic features. Explain this statement. (Hint: what are some of the forces affecting both the erosion and deposition of materials? What are some common temporary shoreline features - both erosional and depositional?)
A variety of techniques and efforts are used to stabilize shorelines throughout the world. Discuss these techniques. Are they temporary or permanent? Also, discuss at least two ways in which the development of coastal areas contributes to shoreline erosion? (Hint: think about rivers and what they contribute to our beaches. Also, what increases with the creation of roads and rooftops?)
Part 5-
Considering the albedo of various surfaces, how might temperatures differ between urban and rural areas? Which setting tends to be warmer on a given day and why? Also, are there any factors other than albedo that might affect the temperature differences between the two settings?
Many people confuse the large void in the ozone layer with global warming. Can you distinguish between the two phenomena? Explain how each process may harm living things.
Part 6-
Of the three "Local Wind" types discussed in the textbook, which do you think could be most easily harnessed for the generation of electricity by a huge wind farm? Some important things to consider: strength and consistency of the wind, location of a good electrical grid to carry the power, surface on which to build the farm and proximity to a large population center.
Part 7-
Describe the Hertz Sprung-Russel diagram. How is it useful in classifying stars? Where do stars tend to cluster on the diagram? Where on the H-R diagram does a star spend most of its life?
Discuss stellar evolution (describing each stage in brief). What forces are opposing one another throughout the life of a star and how do they influence the various stages in the life cycle of a star?