Question 1. A rainshadow desert forms __________.
when dry air descends from high in the atmosphere between 20° and 30° latitude
in places where mountain ranges act as barriers to the movement of water vapor
in cold, polar regions
near the equator, where moist air rises (because it is hot and less dense) up, away from earth's surface
Question 2. Precipitation of water on the land surface in the hydrologic cycle leads directly to __________.
infiltration, transpiration, and drainage
storage, glaciers, and water balance
discharge, runoff, and erosion
evaporation, infiltration, and runoff
Question 3. Groundwater tends to flow through bodies of rock or sediment that ________.
are composed of dark silicate minerals
have a high porosity
have a high permeability
are aquitards
Question 4. What is the volume of water that passes through each part of the hydrologic cycle annually called?
Transpiration
Water budget
Infiltration
Water balance
Question 5. Plants consume water during photosynthesis. They also release it to the atmosphere during __________.
evaporation
degassing
transpiration
infiltration
Question 6. Match the term with the definition
Dissolved load
Bed load
Sorting
Capacity
Braided channels
A. The maximum load of solid particles a stream can transport
B. Sand, gravel, and large boulders that are too large to be carried in suspension, and instead move along the bottom of a stream channel
C. Soluble sediments that are carried in solution
D. A complex network of converging and diverging channels that thread their way among numerous islands or gravel bars
E. The physical breakdown (disintegration) and chemical alteration (decomposition) of rock at or near Earth's surface
F. The process by which solid particles of various sizes are separated and deposited in different location
Question 7. Match the term with the definition
Spring
Geyser
Artesian well
Aquifer
Aquitard
A. Impermeable layers that prevent water movement
B. Permeable rock strata that permits water to flow
C. Localized zone of saturation above an impermeable layer
D. Where the water table intersects the Earth's surface
E. Fountains of hot ground water ejected with great force
F. Ground water confined to a layer, in which the recharges area is higher than the outlet
Question 8. Why is wind erosion more effective in deserts than in more humid regions?
Question 9. Briefly describe the formation of a natural levee.
Question 10. Why are flash floods common in arid climates?
Question 11. Briefly describe at least six depositional features created by glaciers.
Question 12. When examining the geology of a region for potential useable aquifers, what characteristics, or factors would you consider? Discuss at least three environmental concerns related to groundwater.
Your response should be at least 200 words in length.
Question 13. Many developing countries with large river systems are rushing to build dams for hydroelectric power to stimulate economic development. For example, China completed the Three Gorges Dam, one of the world's largest, on the Yangtze River in 2006 and more recently Ethiopia has announced plans to build the Grand Millennium Dam on the Nile River. There's no question that dams are of economic benefit but on the flip side, they may also have unintended and undesirable costs. If you were in charge of planning the construction of a large dam, what are some of the environmental and cultural costs (other than monetary - please don't discuss economic costs of dams as your primary content) that you would consider undesirable and what would you do to minimize these costs?
When examining the geology of a region for potential useable aquifers, what characteristics, or factors would you consider? Discuss at least three environmental concerns related to groundwater.
Your response should be at least 200 words in length.