Question 1

Which of the following statements describes subsidence at the central (San Joaquin) valley of California?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the deep subsurface withdrawal of oil and gas. 
B)  Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the withdrawal of groundwater mainly for irrigation purposes. 
C)  Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapsible soil. 
D)  Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapse sinkhole. 
A)  Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the deep subsurface withdrawal of oil and gas. 
B)  Gradual subsidence occurred over several decades due to the withdrawal of groundwater mainly for irrigation purposes. 
C)  Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapsible soil. 
D)  Rapid subsidence occurred due to a collapse sinkhole. B

Question 2

The main societal impact of soil erosion is that the eroded soil ends up filling our water reservoirs and diminishes our drinking water supply.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 3

Before building structures in karst regions, it can be useful to use ground penetrating radar to examine the subsurface geology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

The water content of a soil can be important in determining engineering properties such as the strength of a soil and its potential to shrink and swell.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The distinct layers of a soil are called soil horizons.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Coastal cities, like Venice, Italy and New Orleans are sinking. What effect will this have on these cities?

Accepted Answer

Subsidence in Venice, Italy will produce

Question 7

Describe how soil develops from rocks. In this description, choose three things that affect the development of soil and explain how they affect soil development.

Accepted Answer

Soil develops from rocks by weathering,

Question 8

What is the definition of soil according to a soil scientist?

Accepted Answer

A)  Any solid earth material that has been altered by physical, chemical, and organic processes so that it can support rooted plants 
B)  Any dark material on earth's surface 
C)  Decayed plant material 
D)  Hard clay layer cemented with calcite, iron oxide, or silica 
E)  Any solid earth material that can be removed without blasting 
A)  Any solid earth material that has been altered by physical, chemical, and organic processes so that it can support rooted plants 
B)  Any dark material on earth's surface 
C)  Decayed plant material 
D)  Hard clay layer cemented with calcite, iron oxide, or silica 
E)  Any solid earth material that can be removed without blasting

Question 9

Which of the following states has the greatest percentage of karst topography?

Accepted Answer

A)  Kentucky 
B)  Nevada 
C)  Nebraska 
D)  Louisiana 
E)  Alaska 
A)  Kentucky 
B)  Nevada 
C)  Nebraska 
D)  Louisiana 
E)  Alaska

Question 10

If you were digging down into a soil, which horizon would you hit last?

Accepted Answer

A)  C 
B)  R 
C)  O 
D)  B 
E)  E 
A)  C 
B)  R 
C)  O 
D)  B 
E)  E

Question 11

Permafrost is particularly problematic when there is extensive thawing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Sinkholes and caves involve extensive dissolution of rocks due to changing levels of groundwater.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Organic soils cause large amounts of damage in the U.S. because they swell when wet and shrink when dry.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In the U.S. subsidence and expansion and contraction of the soil are natural hazards that are well publicized and get considerable media coverage.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Caves form in places where giant bubbles were present in the lava that formed the Earth's crust.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Earthquakes cause subsidence because tectonic plates involved in subduction can actually snap downward after stress is released in an earthquake.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

What is karst topography?

Accepted Answer

A)  A type of landscape characterized by marshes and wetlands. 
B)  A type of landscape that is mostly frozen and snow covered 
C)  A type of landscape characterized by glacial deposits 
D)  A ragged surface characterized by sinkholes and underground caves 
E)  A flat land surface used mostly for farming 
A)  A type of landscape characterized by marshes and wetlands. 
B)  A type of landscape that is mostly frozen and snow covered 
C)  A type of landscape characterized by glacial deposits 
D)  A ragged surface characterized by sinkholes and underground caves 
E)  A flat land surface used mostly for farming

Question 18

What is the main difference between collapse sinkholes and solutional sinkholes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Collapse sinkholes create a subsidence in the ground whereas solutional sinkholes have no effect on the land surface. 
B)  Solutional sinkholes form faster than collapse sinkholes. 
C)  Collapse sinkholes involve the surface rock and soil falling into an underground cave whereas solutional sinkholes form by downward dissolution from the bedrock surface. 
D)  Solutional sinkholes are found more often in arid regions than collapse sinkholes. 
E)  Solutional sinkholes are more beneficial to a location than collapse sinkholes. 
A)  Collapse sinkholes create a subsidence in the ground whereas solutional sinkholes have no effect on the land surface. 
B)  Solutional sinkholes form faster than collapse sinkholes. 
C)  Collapse sinkholes involve the surface rock and soil falling into an underground cave whereas solutional sinkholes form by downward dissolution from the bedrock surface. 
D)  Solutional sinkholes are found more often in arid regions than collapse sinkholes. 
E)  Solutional sinkholes are more beneficial to a location than collapse sinkholes.

Question 19

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans received a lot of damage. One of the reasons why New Orleans was hit so hard was because of land subsidence. Explain two reasons for why the land subsided in New Orleans. Describe human activities that caused the subsidence and suggest ways that subsidence could be slowed or stopped.

Accepted Answer

The land is subsiding in New Orleans bec

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a way that climate change can contribute to the subsidence problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Permafrost will melt causing subsidence. 
B)  Some soils will dry out causing them to settle. 
C)  Sea levels will rise sinking coastal cities that are already sinking. 
D)  Groundwater levels may rise or fall increasing sinkhole incidence. 
E)  Groundwater will warm, causing a large increase in dissolved limestone and sinkhole formation. 
A)  Permafrost will melt causing subsidence. 
B)  Some soils will dry out causing them to settle. 
C)  Sea levels will rise sinking coastal cities that are already sinking. 
D)  Groundwater levels may rise or fall increasing sinkhole incidence. 
E)  Groundwater will warm, causing a large increase in dissolved limestone and sinkhole formation.

Which of the following statements describes subsidence at the central (San Joaquin) valley of California?

The main societal impact of soil erosion is that the eroded soil ends up filling our water reservoirs and diminishes our drinking water supply.

Before building structures in karst regions, it can be useful to use ground penetrating radar to examine the subsurface geology.

The water content of a soil can be important in determining engineering properties such as the strength of a soil and its potential to shrink and swell.

The distinct layers of a soil are called soil horizons.

Coastal cities, like Venice, Italy and New Orleans are sinking. What effect will this have on these cities?

Describe how soil develops from rocks. In this description, choose three things that affect the development of soil and explain how they affect soil development.

What is the definition of soil according to a soil scientist?

Which of the following states has the greatest percentage of karst topography?

If you were digging down into a soil, which horizon would you hit last?

Permafrost is particularly problematic when there is extensive thawing.

Sinkholes and caves involve extensive dissolution of rocks due to changing levels of groundwater.

Organic soils cause large amounts of damage in the U.S. because they swell when wet and shrink when dry.

In the U.S. subsidence and expansion and contraction of the soil are natural hazards that are well publicized and get considerable media coverage.

Caves form in places where giant bubbles were present in the lava that formed the Earth's crust.

Earthquakes cause subsidence because tectonic plates involved in subduction can actually snap downward after stress is released in an earthquake.

What is karst topography?

What is the main difference between collapse sinkholes and solutional sinkholes?

Which of the following is NOT a way that climate change can contribute to the subsidence problem?

Introduction to Natural Hazards

Internal Structure of the Earth and Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes

Tsunamis

Volcanoes

Flooding

Mass Wasting

Atmosphere and Severe Weather

Hurricanes and Extratropical Cyclones

Coastal Hazards

Climate and Climate Change

Wildfires

Impacts and Extinctions

Filters

Exam 8: Subsidence and Soils

Which of the following statements describes subsidence at the central (San Joaquin) valley of California?

The main societal impact of soil erosion is that the eroded soil ends up filling our water reservoirs and diminishes our drinking water supply.

Before building structures in karst regions, it can be useful to use ground penetrating radar to examine the subsurface geology.

The water content of a soil can be important in determining engineering properties such as the strength of a soil and its potential to shrink and swell.

The distinct layers of a soil are called soil horizons.

Coastal cities, like Venice, Italy and New Orleans are sinking. What effect will this have on these cities?

Describe how soil develops from rocks. In this description, choose three things that affect the development of soil and explain how they affect soil development.

What is the definition of soil according to a soil scientist?

Which of the following states has the greatest percentage of karst topography?

If you were digging down into a soil, which horizon would you hit last?

Permafrost is particularly problematic when there is extensive thawing.

Sinkholes and caves involve extensive dissolution of rocks due to changing levels of groundwater.

Organic soils cause large amounts of damage in the U.S. because they swell when wet and shrink when dry.

In the U.S. subsidence and expansion and contraction of the soil are natural hazards that are well publicized and get considerable media coverage.

Caves form in places where giant bubbles were present in the lava that formed the Earth's crust.

Earthquakes cause subsidence because tectonic plates involved in subduction can actually snap downward after stress is released in an earthquake.

What is karst topography?

What is the main difference between collapse sinkholes and solutional sinkholes?

Which of the following is NOT a way that climate change can contribute to the subsidence problem?

Introduction to Natural Hazards

Internal Structure of the Earth and Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes

Tsunamis

Volcanoes

Flooding

Mass Wasting

Atmosphere and Severe Weather

Hurricanes and Extratropical Cyclones

Coastal Hazards

Climate and Climate Change

Wildfires

Impacts and Extinctions

Filters