Question 1

Which of the following statements concerning graded streams is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  A graded stream responds instantaneously to any change in sediment load or discharge in such a way as to establish a new graded state. 
B)  After a sudden decrease in sediment load, the gradient decreases, as does stream velocity. 
C)  The equilibrium of a graded stream is temporary and lasts only until the next change in its environment. 
D)  After a sudden increase in sediment load, the gradient increases, as does stream velocity. 
A)  A graded stream responds instantaneously to any change in sediment load or discharge in such a way as to establish a new graded state. 
B)  After a sudden decrease in sediment load, the gradient decreases, as does stream velocity. 
C)  The equilibrium of a graded stream is temporary and lasts only until the next change in its environment. 
D)  After a sudden increase in sediment load, the gradient increases, as does stream velocity.

Question 2

Natural levees result when:

Accepted Answer

A)  hard, erosion- resistant rocks become part of a stream's banks. 
B)  yazoo streams flow parallel to a main stream and deposit material on the stream bank. 
C)  streams flood their banks and deposit sediment directly on top of the banks. 
D)  streams erode downward in their channel, leaving their banks higher relative to the surface of the stream. 
A)  hard, erosion- resistant rocks become part of a stream's banks. 
B)  yazoo streams flow parallel to a main stream and deposit material on the stream bank. 
C)  streams flood their banks and deposit sediment directly on top of the banks. 
D)  streams erode downward in their channel, leaving their banks higher relative to the surface of the stream.

Question 3

The world's oceans contain approximately what percentage of the Earth's water?

Accepted Answer

A)  75%. 
B)  83%. 
C)  86%. 
D)  97%. 
A)  75%. 
B)  83%. 
C)  86%. 
D)  97%.

Question 4

In the Big Thompson flood of 1976, which factor contributed most to the disaster?

Accepted Answer

A)  Excessive snowmelt. 
B)  Highly fractured granite bedrock. 
C)  Steepness of the slopes in the area. 
D)  Earlier forest fires removed vegetation. 
A)  Excessive snowmelt. 
B)  Highly fractured granite bedrock. 
C)  Steepness of the slopes in the area. 
D)  Earlier forest fires removed vegetation.

Question 5

Accumulations of gold, platinum, or silver would most likely be found:

Accepted Answer

A)  distributed evenly throughout the stream bed. 
B)  in point bars on the inside of meander curves, where stream velocity is the slowest. 
C)  on the outside of meander curves, where the high velocity of the water has embedded them in the banks. 
D)  in potholes in the stream bed because their high density would cause them to sink lower than other sediments. 
A)  distributed evenly throughout the stream bed. 
B)  in point bars on the inside of meander curves, where stream velocity is the slowest. 
C)  on the outside of meander curves, where the high velocity of the water has embedded them in the banks. 
D)  in potholes in the stream bed because their high density would cause them to sink lower than other sediments.

Question 6

Braided streams are caused by:

Accepted Answer

A)  an exceptionally high discharge. 
B)  an exceptionally steep gradient. 
C)  an exceptionally high sediment load. 
D)  an exceptionally high velocity. 
A)  an exceptionally high discharge. 
B)  an exceptionally steep gradient. 
C)  an exceptionally high sediment load. 
D)  an exceptionally high velocity.

Question 7

The primary difference between a superposed stream and an antecedent stream is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  superposed streams do not meander, whereas antecedent streams have continually migrating meanders. 
B)  younger superposed streams follow stream beds created by ancient antecedent streams. 
C)  superposed streams erode deeper rock layers, whereas antecedent streams erode into a landscape that is being slowly uplifted. 
D)  antecedent streams build up their floodplains through deposition, while superposed streams erode downward in their floodplains. 
A)  superposed streams do not meander, whereas antecedent streams have continually migrating meanders. 
B)  younger superposed streams follow stream beds created by ancient antecedent streams. 
C)  superposed streams erode deeper rock layers, whereas antecedent streams erode into a landscape that is being slowly uplifted. 
D)  antecedent streams build up their floodplains through deposition, while superposed streams erode downward in their floodplains.

Question 8

Geologists use the term "stream" to refer to:

Accepted Answer

A)  tributaries to rivers. 
B)  all the above. 
C)  major rivers. 
D)  small local creeks. 
A)  tributaries to rivers. 
B)  all the above. 
C)  major rivers. 
D)  small local creeks.

Question 9

The most likely effect of stream channelization is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  stream gradient and velocity will both increase. 
B)  stream gradient will increase, and velocity will decrease. 
C)  stream gradient and velocity will both decrease. 
D)  stream gradient will decrease and velocity will increase. 
A)  stream gradient and velocity will both increase. 
B)  stream gradient will increase, and velocity will decrease. 
C)  stream gradient and velocity will both decrease. 
D)  stream gradient will decrease and velocity will increase.

Question 10

A rectangular stream pattern characterizes a topography of:

Accepted Answer

A)  numerous joints or fractures, many with right angles. 
B)  a gently sloping basin uniform in structure and composition. 
C)  narrow valleys with soft rocks are separated by ridges of hard rocks. 
D)  a central high area with outward radiating drainages. 
A)  numerous joints or fractures, many with right angles. 
B)  a gently sloping basin uniform in structure and composition. 
C)  narrow valleys with soft rocks are separated by ridges of hard rocks. 
D)  a central high area with outward radiating drainages.

Question 11

Streams meander because:

Accepted Answer

A)  streams typically carry a larger sediment load than their velocity can maintain. 
B)  streams are steered by slight elevation changes within their floodplain. 
C)  streams are steered around materials that are more resistant to erosion. 
D)  erosion occurs on the outside of curves while deposition occurs on the insides of curves. 
A)  streams typically carry a larger sediment load than their velocity can maintain. 
B)  streams are steered by slight elevation changes within their floodplain. 
C)  streams are steered around materials that are more resistant to erosion. 
D)  erosion occurs on the outside of curves while deposition occurs on the insides of curves.

Question 12

The highest point along a meandering stream floodplain would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  the point bar deposits. 
B)  the levees. 
C)  the yazoo streams. 
D)  the channel bank. 
A)  the point bar deposits. 
B)  the levees. 
C)  the yazoo streams. 
D)  the channel bank.

Question 13

Every stream carries water from a watershed that is separated from other watersheds by a:

Accepted Answer

A)  floodplain. 
B)  tributary. 
C)  drainage basin. 
D)  drainage divide. 
A)  floodplain. 
B)  tributary. 
C)  drainage basin. 
D)  drainage divide.

Question 14

A 150- kilometer- long stream has a gradient of 10 feet per kilometer. The streams velocity at a point X, exactly halfway between the source and the mouth, is 5 meters per second. The depth of the stream is 2 meters, and the width is 8 meters. What is the correct estimate of the stream's discharge at point X?

Accepted Answer

A)  400 cubic meters per second. 
B)  600 cubic meters per second. 
C)  40 cubic meters per second. 
D)  80 cubic meters per second. 
A)  400 cubic meters per second. 
B)  600 cubic meters per second. 
C)  40 cubic meters per second. 
D)  80 cubic meters per second.

Question 15

Stream piracy occurs when:

Accepted Answer

A)  a stream cuts through a separating strip and bypasses a stream meander. 
B)  one stream captures the headwaters of another stream on the opposite side of a drainage divide. 
C)  degradation causes the stream to erode its bed and reduce its gradient. 
D)  erosion causes a waterfall to migrate upstream and reduce its height until it no longer exists. 
A)  a stream cuts through a separating strip and bypasses a stream meander. 
B)  one stream captures the headwaters of another stream on the opposite side of a drainage divide. 
C)  degradation causes the stream to erode its bed and reduce its gradient. 
D)  erosion causes a waterfall to migrate upstream and reduce its height until it no longer exists.

Question 16

Define the mechanisms by which streams erode their channels.

Accepted Answer

Streams erode their channels by abrasion

Question 17

Flood prediction is based primarily on:

Accepted Answer

A)  the statistical probability of a flood occurring within a given time. 
B)  monitoring of flood precursors, such as increased groundwater levels and unusual plant behavior. 
C)  computer models of meteorological cycles. 
D)  monitoring global levels of atmospheric moisture. 
A)  the statistical probability of a flood occurring within a given time. 
B)  monitoring of flood precursors, such as increased groundwater levels and unusual plant behavior. 
C)  computer models of meteorological cycles. 
D)  monitoring global levels of atmospheric moisture.

Question 18

Stream valleys have a distinctive V- shape because:

Accepted Answer

A)  as a valley is cut, overland flow and mass movement remove loosened material from its slopes. 
B)  as a stream erodes downward, it encounters material more resistant to lateral erosion. 
C)  as a stream erodes downward, it becomes graded and accomplishes less lateral erosion. 
D)  as a valley becomes established, there is less lateral meandering. 
A)  as a valley is cut, overland flow and mass movement remove loosened material from its slopes. 
B)  as a stream erodes downward, it encounters material more resistant to lateral erosion. 
C)  as a stream erodes downward, it becomes graded and accomplishes less lateral erosion. 
D)  as a valley becomes established, there is less lateral meandering.

Question 19

The stream that erodes through its divide to capture the other slope drainage does so because of its:

Accepted Answer

A)  steeper slope. 
B)  less resistant streambed rocks. 
C)  greater discharge. 
D)  all of the above. 
A)  steeper slope. 
B)  less resistant streambed rocks. 
C)  greater discharge. 
D)  all of the above.

Question 20

How does stream velocity differ in different parts of a stream channel?

Accepted Answer

The water in a stream does not have unif

Which of the following statements concerning graded streams is NOT true?

Natural levees result when:

The world's oceans contain approximately what percentage of the Earth's water?

In the Big Thompson flood of 1976, which factor contributed most to the disaster?

Accumulations of gold, platinum, or silver would most likely be found:

Braided streams are caused by:

The primary difference between a superposed stream and an antecedent stream is that:

Geologists use the term "stream" to refer to:

The most likely effect of stream channelization is that:

A rectangular stream pattern characterizes a topography of:

Streams meander because:

The highest point along a meandering stream floodplain would be:

Every stream carries water from a watershed that is separated from other watersheds by a:

Stream piracy occurs when:

Define the mechanisms by which streams erode their channels.

Flood prediction is based primarily on:

Stream valleys have a distinctive V- shape because:

The stream that erodes through its divide to capture the other slope drainage does so because of its:

How does stream velocity differ in different parts of a stream channel?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

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Exam 15: Streams and Floods

Which of the following statements concerning graded streams is NOT true?

Natural levees result when:

The world's oceans contain approximately what percentage of the Earth's water?

In the Big Thompson flood of 1976, which factor contributed most to the disaster?

Accumulations of gold, platinum, or silver would most likely be found:

Braided streams are caused by:

The primary difference between a superposed stream and an antecedent stream is that:

Geologists use the term "stream" to refer to:

The most likely effect of stream channelization is that:

A rectangular stream pattern characterizes a topography of:

Streams meander because:

The highest point along a meandering stream floodplain would be:

Every stream carries water from a watershed that is separated from other watersheds by a:

Stream piracy occurs when:

Define the mechanisms by which streams erode their channels.

Flood prediction is based primarily on:

Stream valleys have a distinctive V- shape because:

The stream that erodes through its divide to capture the other slope drainage does so because of its:

How does stream velocity differ in different parts of a stream channel?

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters