Question 1

Why is hydraulic sorting of sediment important in environmental geology?

Accepted Answer

A)  it produces relatively pure deposits of sand and clay 
B)  it separates those streams that are flood prone from those that are not 
C)  it produces elevated terraces that are less likely to be flooded 
D)  it causes streams to reach base level more rapidly 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  it produces relatively pure deposits of sand and clay 
B)  it separates those streams that are flood prone from those that are not 
C)  it produces elevated terraces that are less likely to be flooded 
D)  it causes streams to reach base level more rapidly 
E)  all of the answers listed here A

Question 2

Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to dams and reservoirs?

Accepted Answer

A)  dams are generally not effective at flood control and are mainly used to generate electricity. 
B)  water released from reservoirs is cooler than a natural stream, which harms aquatic ecosystems. 
C)  sediment is trapped behind dams and slowly fills in reservoirs. 
D)  reservoirs serve as an important source of fresh water. 
E)  stream discharge becomes fairly uniform, which harms aquatic ecosystems. 
A)  dams are generally not effective at flood control and are mainly used to generate electricity. 
B)  water released from reservoirs is cooler than a natural stream, which harms aquatic ecosystems. 
C)  sediment is trapped behind dams and slowly fills in reservoirs. 
D)  reservoirs serve as an important source of fresh water. 
E)  stream discharge becomes fairly uniform, which harms aquatic ecosystems. A

Question 3

Which of the following statements best describes losing streams?

Accepted Answer

A)  common in arid regions where some of the stream water flows into the groundwater system. 
B)  common in arid regions where groundwater flows into streams. 
C)  common in humid regions where some of the stream water flows into the groundwater system. 
D)  common in humid regions where groundwater flows into streams. 
A)  common in arid regions where some of the stream water flows into the groundwater system. 
B)  common in arid regions where groundwater flows into streams. 
C)  common in humid regions where some of the stream water flows into the groundwater system. 
D)  common in humid regions where groundwater flows into streams. A

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT part of the hydrologic cycle?

Accepted Answer

A)  sequestration 
B)  evaporation 
C)  transpiration 
D)  infiltration 
E)  overland flow 
A)  sequestration 
B)  evaporation 
C)  transpiration 
D)  infiltration 
E)  overland flow

Question 5

What best describes a drainage basin?

Accepted Answer

A)  the land area that collects water for a given network of streams. 
B)  a circular depression in the topography where water accumulates. 
C)  a circular depression in the topography where sediment accumulates. 
D)  a part of the landscape where water is rapidly drained away. 
E)  a part of the landscape that stays above freezing and water remains a liquid. 
A)  the land area that collects water for a given network of streams. 
B)  a circular depression in the topography where water accumulates. 
C)  a circular depression in the topography where sediment accumulates. 
D)  a part of the landscape where water is rapidly drained away. 
E)  a part of the landscape that stays above freezing and water remains a liquid.

Question 6

Streams located near the mouth of a river are quite different compared to those near the headwaters. What best characterizes streams near the mouth?

Accepted Answer

A)  low velocity, high discharge, and meandering channels 
B)  low velocity, low discharge, and meandering channels 
C)  high velocity, high discharge, and straight channels 
D)  high velocity, low discharge, and straight channels 
E)  low velocity, high discharge, and straight channels 
A)  low velocity, high discharge, and meandering channels 
B)  low velocity, low discharge, and meandering channels 
C)  high velocity, high discharge, and straight channels 
D)  high velocity, low discharge, and straight channels 
E)  low velocity, high discharge, and straight channels

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why urbanization has led to larger and more frequent floods?

Accepted Answer

A)  large areas of land are covered with impermeable surfaces 
B)  rainwater tends follow roadways and becomes more concentrated 
C)  heat island effect of cities produces more frequent rains 
D)  rainfall volume is naturally higher over areas where vegetation is more sparse 
E)  irrigation of yards and landscaping 
A)  large areas of land are covered with impermeable surfaces 
B)  rainwater tends follow roadways and becomes more concentrated 
C)  heat island effect of cities produces more frequent rains 
D)  rainfall volume is naturally higher over areas where vegetation is more sparse 
E)  irrigation of yards and landscaping

Question 8

Which of the following terms is used to describe the volume of water flowing past a specific point in a stream over a given time period?

Accepted Answer

A)  discharge 
B)  flux 
C)  square volume 
D)  specific capacity 
E)  overland flow 
A)  discharge 
B)  flux 
C)  square volume 
D)  specific capacity 
E)  overland flow

Question 9

Some rivers naturally carry more water than others. Which of the following best explains why the Amazon River in South America carries 12 times more water than the Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Amazon's drainage basin lies mostly within a tropical rainforest 
B)  the Amazon has a much larger channel 
C)  there is much less human development along the Amazon 
D)  the Amazon is a much longer river 
E)  all of the answers listed here 
A)  the Amazon's drainage basin lies mostly within a tropical rainforest 
B)  the Amazon has a much larger channel 
C)  there is much less human development along the Amazon 
D)  the Amazon is a much longer river 
E)  all of the answers listed here

Question 10

What best explains how hydrologists determine the frequency of flooding?

Accepted Answer

A)  calculate recurrence intervals from historical discharge records 
B)  locate the 100-year floodplain on maps 
C)  predictions based on rainfall duration and intensity data 
D)  predictions based on rainfall volume and wind speed data 
E)  predictions based on topographic maps and precipitation data 
A)  calculate recurrence intervals from historical discharge records 
B)  locate the 100-year floodplain on maps 
C)  predictions based on rainfall duration and intensity data 
D)  predictions based on rainfall volume and wind speed data 
E)  predictions based on topographic maps and precipitation data

Question 11

Which of the following are effective ways of reducing the effects of flooding?

Accepted Answer

A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  channelization 
C)  wetlands restoration 
D)  artificial levees 
E)  erosion controls 
A)  all of the answers listed here 
B)  channelization 
C)  wetlands restoration 
D)  artificial levees 
E)  erosion controls

Question 12

Which of the following natural factors affect the degree or severity of flooding?

Accepted Answer

A)  rainfall volume and infiltration capacity of the ground 
B)  size of the raindrops and wind speed 
C)  slope of the land and wind speed 
D)  rainfall volume and wind speed 
E)  size of raindrops and slope of the land 
A)  rainfall volume and infiltration capacity of the ground 
B)  size of the raindrops and wind speed 
C)  slope of the land and wind speed 
D)  rainfall volume and wind speed 
E)  size of raindrops and slope of the land

Question 13

In addition to cutting laterally, streams can also cut downward in their channels to form deep valleys and canyons. What best explains how streams can cut downward through solid rock?

Accepted Answer

A)  transported sediment causes abrasion of bedrock. 
B)  water flowing rapidly over the bedrock causes erosion. 
C)  acidic water causing chemical weathering of the bedrock. 
D)  physical weathering of bedrock by freeze and thaw action. 
E)  occurs in areas where streams encounter weaker layers of bedrock. 
A)  transported sediment causes abrasion of bedrock. 
B)  water flowing rapidly over the bedrock causes erosion. 
C)  acidic water causing chemical weathering of the bedrock. 
D)  physical weathering of bedrock by freeze and thaw action. 
E)  occurs in areas where streams encounter weaker layers of bedrock.

Question 14

What best describes the basic role of streams in the Earth system?

Accepted Answer

A)  drain water from the landscape and transport sediment 
B)  transport sediment and create valuable gold deposits 
C)  link the atmosphere to the oceans in the hydrologic cycle 
D)  help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 
E)  provide water to the interior of continents 
A)  drain water from the landscape and transport sediment 
B)  transport sediment and create valuable gold deposits 
C)  link the atmosphere to the oceans in the hydrologic cycle 
D)  help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere 
E)  provide water to the interior of continents

Question 15

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding artificial levees?

Accepted Answer

A)  used to help keep the channel straight so water flows faster 
B)  raises the height a stream must reach before overflowing its banks 
C)  creates the potential for catastrophic flood in areas downstream 
D)  makes flooding worse in areas upstream 
E)  can be made of concrete or earthen materials 
A)  used to help keep the channel straight so water flows faster 
B)  raises the height a stream must reach before overflowing its banks 
C)  creates the potential for catastrophic flood in areas downstream 
D)  makes flooding worse in areas upstream 
E)  can be made of concrete or earthen materials

Question 16

What best describes the headwaters of a drainage basin?

Accepted Answer

A)  collection of small channels in the upper part of a basin that merge into larger streams. 
B)  collection of streams that empty into a body of water. 
C)  those parts of a drainage basin where water infiltrates into the groundwater system. 
D)  those parts of a drainage basin where groundwater discharge into streams. 
E)  those parts of a drainage basin that lie above base level. 
A)  collection of small channels in the upper part of a basin that merge into larger streams. 
B)  collection of streams that empty into a body of water. 
C)  those parts of a drainage basin where water infiltrates into the groundwater system. 
D)  those parts of a drainage basin where groundwater discharge into streams. 
E)  those parts of a drainage basin that lie above base level.

Question 17

What best explains why stream valleys become wider over time?

Accepted Answer

A)  meandering streams undercut their banks and cause mass wasting. 
B)  deposition of sediment creates a valley floor. 
C)  tectonic uplift causes valleys to widen naturally. 
D)  stream velocity becomes greater over time. 
E)  streams get further above base level. 
A)  meandering streams undercut their banks and cause mass wasting. 
B)  deposition of sediment creates a valley floor. 
C)  tectonic uplift causes valleys to widen naturally. 
D)  stream velocity becomes greater over time. 
E)  streams get further above base level.

Question 18

How do hydrologists measure the severity of floods?

Accepted Answer

A)  the height (stage) above which a stream overflows its banks 
B)  the number of people that are impacted along a floodplain 
C)  the amount of land area that is inundated along a floodplain 
D)  how fast the water rises in the channel 
E)  the amount of land area that collects water from a rain event 
A)  the height (stage) above which a stream overflows its banks 
B)  the number of people that are impacted along a floodplain 
C)  the amount of land area that is inundated along a floodplain 
D)  how fast the water rises in the channel 
E)  the amount of land area that collects water from a rain event

Question 19

What best explains why groundwater baseflow is important to maintaining a healthy stream ecosystem in humid climates?

Accepted Answer

A)  provides streams with a steady flow of water during dry periods 
B)  removes bacteria and viruses that are harmful to plants and animals 
C)  reduces the intensity and duration of floods 
D)  decreases stream erosion 
E)  provides dissolved ions necessary for plant growth 
A)  provides streams with a steady flow of water during dry periods 
B)  removes bacteria and viruses that are harmful to plants and animals 
C)  reduces the intensity and duration of floods 
D)  decreases stream erosion 
E)  provides dissolved ions necessary for plant growth

Question 20

What best characterizes downstream flooding?

Accepted Answer

A)  large volume flood that slowly rises and falls 
B)  small volume flood that slowly rises and falls 
C)  fast moving floodwaters that follow small tributaries 
D)  slow moving floodwaters that follow small tributaries 
E)  floodwaters that rapidly rises and falls 
A)  large volume flood that slowly rises and falls 
B)  small volume flood that slowly rises and falls 
C)  fast moving floodwaters that follow small tributaries 
D)  slow moving floodwaters that follow small tributaries 
E)  floodwaters that rapidly rises and falls

Why is hydraulic sorting of sediment important in environmental geology?

Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to dams and reservoirs?

Which of the following statements best describes losing streams?

Which of the following is NOT part of the hydrologic cycle?

What best describes a drainage basin?

Streams located near the mouth of a river are quite different compared to those near the headwaters. What best characterizes streams near the mouth?

Which of the following best explains why urbanization has led to larger and more frequent floods?

Which of the following terms is used to describe the volume of water flowing past a specific point in a stream over a given time period?

Some rivers naturally carry more water than others. Which of the following best explains why the Amazon River in South America carries 12 times more water than the Mississippi?

What best explains how hydrologists determine the frequency of flooding?

Which of the following are effective ways of reducing the effects of flooding?

Which of the following natural factors affect the degree or severity of flooding?

In addition to cutting laterally, streams can also cut downward in their channels to form deep valleys and canyons. What best explains how streams can cut downward through solid rock?

What best describes the basic role of streams in the Earth system?

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding artificial levees?

What best describes the headwaters of a drainage basin?

What best explains why stream valleys become wider over time?

How do hydrologists measure the severity of floods?

What best explains why groundwater baseflow is important to maintaining a healthy stream ecosystem in humid climates?

What best characterizes downstream flooding?

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Earthquakes and Related Hazards

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Exam 8: Streams and Flooding

Why is hydraulic sorting of sediment important in environmental geology?

Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to dams and reservoirs?

Which of the following statements best describes losing streams?

Which of the following is NOT part of the hydrologic cycle?

What best describes a drainage basin?

Streams located near the mouth of a river are quite different compared to those near the headwaters. What best characterizes streams near the mouth?

Which of the following best explains why urbanization has led to larger and more frequent floods?

Which of the following terms is used to describe the volume of water flowing past a specific point in a stream over a given time period?

Some rivers naturally carry more water than others. Which of the following best explains why the Amazon River in South America carries 12 times more water than the Mississippi?

What best explains how hydrologists determine the frequency of flooding?

Which of the following are effective ways of reducing the effects of flooding?

Which of the following natural factors affect the degree or severity of flooding?

In addition to cutting laterally, streams can also cut downward in their channels to form deep valleys and canyons. What best explains how streams can cut downward through solid rock?

What best describes the basic role of streams in the Earth system?

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding artificial levees?

What best describes the headwaters of a drainage basin?

What best explains why stream valleys become wider over time?

How do hydrologists measure the severity of floods?

What best explains why groundwater baseflow is important to maintaining a healthy stream ecosystem in humid climates?

What best characterizes downstream flooding?

Humans and the Geologic Environment

Earth From a Larger Perspective

Earth Materials

Earths Structure and Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and Related Hazards

Volcanoes and Related Hazards

Mass Wasting and Related Hazards

Coastal Hazards

Soil Resources

Water Resources

Mineral and Rock Resources

Conventional Fossil Fuel Resources

Alternative Energy Resources

Pollution and Waste Disposal

Global Climate Change

Filters