Why doesn’t sea level drop even though oceans have a higher rate of evaporation than
precipitation?
- Surface water running off into the oceans makes up the difference between
evaporation from the oceans and precipitation into the oceans, creating a balance.
Where are bedrock channels more likely to be found?
- in the headwaters of river systems where streams have steep slopes.
Briefly describe a general drainage basin.
- An area drained by a stream is called a drainage basin, which is bounded by an
imaginary line called a divide. The divide can be clearly visible as a sharp ridge, or it
could be difficult to determine in subdued topography.
How does an alluvial fan form?
- When a stream with a steep gradient emerges onto a relatively flat lowland, its
gradient drops, and it deposits a large portion of its sediment load in a pattern that
looks like a fan from above.
Incised meanders and terraces are __________.
- Erosional features
Which of the choices below correctly defines base level and differentiates between ultimate base
level and local (temporary) base level?
- Base level is generally defined as the lowest elevation to which a stream can erode
its channel. The ultimate base level is sea level; local base levels are lakes, resistant
layers of rock, and rivers that act as base levels for their tributaries.
What is a stream’s longitudinal profile?
- a cross-sectional view of a stream from the headwaters to its mouth
Which of the choices below correctly describes four main types of drainage patterns and what
causes them?
- Rectangular pattern, which develops on highly jointed bedrock; Trellis pattern, which
develops in areas of alternating weak resistant bedrock; Dendritic pattern, which
develops on relatively uniform surface materials; Radial pattern, which develops on
isolated volcanic cones or domes
Transpiration moves water from _______.
- the biosphere to the atmosphere
How does an oxbow lake form?
- An oxbow lake forms when the bend of a meandering river is isolated from the river
because erosional forces create a cutoff in the main river channel. This isolated bend
becomes the oxbow lake.
What are the three main zones of a river system from highest to lowest?
- zone of sediment production, zone of transportation, and zone of deposition
In order for an aquifer to be useful for reliable water extraction, what kind of porosity and
permeability should it have?
- High porosity, high permeability
How do stalactites and stalagmites form?
- Stalagmites form when calcite-rich water falls to the floor from the ceiling, splattering
minute amounts of calcite on the floor. After many such depositions, a stalagmite
begins to take shape.
- Stalactites form on the ceiling when water seeps through the ceiling and deposits
calcite. Eventually a soda straw develops, which develops into a stalactite after many
more depositions of calcite.
Which aquifer listed below would be the most effective in purifying polluted groundwater, and why?
- Permeable sandstone: the pores between grains are large enough to let water
through but small enough to block contaminants
What geologic process is responsible for the geothermal features in Yellowstone National Park?
- Volcanic activity
What is the source of heat for most hot springs and geysers, and how is this reflected in the
distribution of these features?
- The heat sources for most hot springs and geysers are magma bodies and igneous
rocks. Thus, hot springs and geysers are often located where igneous activity
occurs.
What occurs to cause a geyser to erupt?
- The heat underground within a geyser causes the water to expand, and some water
is forced out of to the surface. Water deep within the geyser quickly turns to steam,
causing the geyser to erupt.
What significant problem might arise when groundwater is heavily pumped at a coastal site?
- If the groundwater withdrawal exceeds recharge, the saltwater will become high
enough to be drawn into the wells.
Worldwide, the largest percentage of freshwater readily available to humans is stored in ______
- pore spaces between rocks and sediments
- Location A has a higher pressure
- A water treatment plant could be built next to well C to remove and treat the polluted
groundwater. The well will be located on the downslope side of the landfill, and it will be
heavily pumped to create a cone of depression that can draw in contaminated water and
prevent the leachate from traveling further through the aquifer.
Please contrast porosity and permeability.
- Porosity is the percentage of the total volume of rock or sediment that consists of
pore spaces, whereas permeability is the ability of a rock or sediment to transmit
fluid.
Caves, as formed from dissolution, are most commonly formed in limestone, but are occasionally
found in other rock types, like gypsum.
- True
Why may the ground subside after groundwater is pumped to the surface?
- As water is withdrawn, the water pressure drops, and the sediment is left to support
the weight on top of it. As a result, the sediment packs more closely together,
causing the ground to subside.
Which of the following can result from excessive pumping of groundwater? CHOOSE ALL THAT
APPLY.
-subsidence
-reversing the direction of flow in the aquifer
-saltwater contamination
What geological roles does groundwater play?
- Groundwater sustains streams during periods of no rainfall.
- Groundwater erodes bedrock through dissolution.
Match the word with the correct definition. Drag the terms on the left to the appropriate blanks
on the right.
What share of Earth’s liquid freshwater is groundwater?
- 94.05%
Which of the following is an erosional feature?
- Tower karst
Match the water feature with the correct definition. Drag the terms on the left to the appropriate
blanks on the right.
How does groundwater create caverns?
- Caverns are created when acidic groundwater dissolves and carries away limestone
over time.
