Question 1

The spatial distribution of Earth's dry regions are attributable to all of the following factors except

Accepted Answer

A)  subtropical high-pressure cells between 15° and 35° N and S latitudes. 
B)  rain shadows to the lee of mountain ranges. 
C)  the equatorial low-pressure region and the ITCZ. 
D)  great distances from moisture-bearing air masses.

Question 2

Which is false regarding the issues surrounding the use of Colorado River water?

Accepted Answer

A)  The 1999-2008 drought is more severe than any seen in the historical record. 
B)  The Colorado River system is at 50% of capacity. 
C)  It would take 13 winters with normal snow pack to "reset" the Colorado River system. 
D)  Arizona's population grew 200% from 1990-2007, while Las Vegas grew 490% from 1985-2007. 
E)  Recent efforts have focused exclusively on reducing demand for water.

Question 3

Buttes, mesas, and inselbergs represent

Accepted Answer

A)  pinnacles of rock and rock masses that were uplifted by compressional forces. 
B)  erosional remnants of a once extensive and continuous rock layer. 
C)  erosional remnants of vertically tilted strata. 
D)  the erosional remnants of volcanoes (i.e., volcanic necks).

Question 4

Which of the following grain sizes is most readily moved by the wind?

Accepted Answer

A)  large 
B)  intermediate 
C)  small

Question 5

The removal and lifting of individual loose particles by the wind is termed

Accepted Answer

A)  deflation. 
B)  abrasion. 
C)  saltation. 
D)  deposition.

Question 6

Desert sand is usually composed of what mineral?

Accepted Answer

A)  gypsum 
B)  quartz 
C)  dolomite 
D)  calcite

Question 7

Weathering that occurs by water in the desert is associated primarily with

Accepted Answer

A)  groundwater. 
B)  field water capacity. 
C)  hygroscopic water.

Question 8

A dune that is the mountainous giant of the sandy deserts is called a

Accepted Answer

A)  transverse dune. 
B)  longitudinal dune. 
C)  parabolic dune. 
D)  star dune.

Question 9

Which of the following dune types is incorrectly matched with the conditions necessary for its formation?

Accepted Answer

A)  barchan - abundant sand 
B)  transverse - abundant sand 
C)  parabolic - vegetation controlled 
D)  crescentic - unidirectional wind

Question 10

The skipping and bouncing action of saltation accounts for

Accepted Answer

A)  hydraulic lifting by air movements. 
B)  the transport of very small grains, smaller than 0.01 mm in diameter. 
C)  about 80 percent of wind transported particles. 
D)  little or no surface creep.

Question 11

The amount of Colorado River water allocated to various states was based on an overestimate of the typical average annual discharge; consequently, there is not enough water available to meet the allocation requirements.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

A desert pavement surface is associated with which of the following types of deserts?

Accepted Answer

A)  erg 
B)  sand sea 
C)  reg 
D)  polar desert

Question 13

The wind has relatively minor effects on weathering and erosion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

An exotic stream is

Accepted Answer

A)  any river that flows from an arid region to one of adequate precipitation. 
B)  one involved in a particular historical event. 
C)  one whose entire course is in a desert region. 
D)  any river that arises in a humid region and then passes through to an arid region.

Question 15

Active sand dunes and sandy deserts cover approximately what percentage of continental land between 30° N and 30° S latitude?

Accepted Answer

A)  10 percent 
B)  50 percent 
C)  70 percent 
D)  90 percent

Question 16

An extensive area of sand and sand dunes is known as a/n

Accepted Answer

A)  reg desert. 
B)  erg desert, or sand sea. 
C)  lag desert. 
D)  desert pavement.

Question 17

Linear dunes and seif dunes are oriented

Accepted Answer

A)  parallel to the wind. 
B)  perpendicular to the wind. 
C)  randomly in relation to wind direction.

Question 18

Which of the following is true of eolian ripples?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are generally positioned parallel with the direction of the effective wind. 
B)  Their spacing is controlled by the moisture content of the sand. 
C)  They are oriented transversely, or at right angles, to the direction of the wind. 
D)  They form reg deserts made up of lag gravels.

Question 19

Rocks that appear pitted and grooved, and sometimes polished smooth by eolian processes, are termed

Accepted Answer

A)  ventifacts. 
B)  yardangs. 
C)  desert pavements. 
D)  alluvium.

Question 20

Which of the following is false regarding alluvial fans?

Accepted Answer

A)  They often serve as good sources of groundwater. 
B)  They frequently occur in the eastern U.S. 
C)  The largest sized sediment is found near the top of the fan, and the smallest near the bottom. 
D)  They are depositional features.

Exam 12: Wind Processes and Desert Landscapes