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Geog final
geography final
104
Geography
Undergraduate 2
07/06/2011

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Cards

Term
denudation
Definition
Lowering of the surface of the land
Term
What is the world rate of denudation?
Definition
2.5 cm/ 1000 years
Term
Weathering
Definition
disintegration of rock
Term
Mass wasting
Definition
downslope movement of broken rock material
Term
Erosion
Definition
detachment and removal of broken rock material
Term
What two weathering techniques usually work together?
Definition
Mechanical and Chemical
Term
Mechanical (physical) weathering
Definition
physical disintegration of rock
Term
Biological weathering
Definition
Decomposition of rock by organisms
Term
chemical weathering
Definition
chemical decomposition of rocks
Term
Frost wedging
Definition
water freezes, expands, and fractures rock; happens often in high latitudes
Term
salt wedging
Definition
salt crystals grow and fracture rock; found in arid regions
Term
temperature changes
Definition
weaken rock
Term
pressure release (uploading)
Definition
as pressure is removed, rocks expand
Term
exfoliation
Definition
peeling off of curved layers of rock (both mechanical and chemical weathering involved)
Term
Lichens may help decompose rocks (True or false?)
Definition
True
Term
Chemical decomposition of rocks involves what?
Definition
Moisture
High temperatures
Most effective in the humid tropics
Term
The chemicals involved in Chemical Weathering are:
Definition
Oxidation, Hydrolysis, and Carbonation
Term
Angle of Repose
Definition
Steepest angle that loose fragments can maintain
Term
What facilitates Mass Wasting?
Definition
1. Oversteepening
2. Excess water
3. Clay layers
4. Dipping sedimentary layers
Term
Falls
Definition
Rocks are loosened and fall to the base of the slope
Term
Talus
Definition
rock fragments at the base of the slope
Term
Slides (slips)
Definition
materials move downslope as a solid mass; form of weathering
Term
Slump "rotational"
Definition
rotation on a curved surface
Term
Slide (transitional)
Definition
Rock slides on a plane of weakness; failure surface parallel to slope
Term
Flow
Definition
Material flows downslope as a fluid
Term
Earthflow
Definition
slope collapses; saturated slope moves downhill often slowly; found in humid regions
Term
Mudflow
Definition
saturated material moves rapidly down drainage channels; often in semiarid/arid regions; "volcanic mudflow"
Term
Solifluction
Definition
Saturated soil above permafrost moves down slope
Term
Soil Creep
Definition
soil moves slowly under influence of gravity; hence, crooked sign posts and fences
Term
What are some ways to make a landslide?
Definition
1) remove base
2) add weight to the top of slope
3) reduce friction
4) remove vegetation
Term
What percent of water comes from the ocean?
Definition
97%
Term
What percent of water found on earth is in ice?
Definition
2%
Term
What percent of water is found underground?
Definition
0.6%
Term
Transpiration
Definition
evaporation from plant surfaces
Term
What percent of earth is covered with ice?
Definition
10%
Term
Glaciers are made of fresh water.
Definition
True
Term
What percentage of water flow in the world does the Amazon river carry?
Definition
20%
Term
Most of the earth's surface water consists of:
Definition
Lakes
Term
How are lakes formed?
Definition
-Glacial action
-Sink holes
-Volcanic activity or faulting
Term
Interior lakes become... salt or fresh?
Definition
Salt
Term
Aquifer
Definition
A zone of permeable rock that contains water and releases it into a well
Term
Zone of saturation
Definition
All pore spaces are saturated
Term
Water table
Definition
Top of saturated zone
Term
Zone of Aeration
Definition
Pore spaces may contain either air or water
Term
Aquaclude
Definition
impermeable rock layer; also referred to as an "aquatard"
Term
Cone of depression
Definition
Lowering of a water table around an active well
Term
Artisan well
Definition
a free flowing well; usually in contact with an already flowing water source
Term
What is limestone composed of?
Definition
Calcium carbonate
Term
Calcite
Definition
slightly soluble in water
Term
Where can calcium carbonate be dissolved?
Definition
Humid regions
Term
Stalactite
Definition
Limestone structure hanging from ceiling
Term
Stalagmite
Definition
Limestone structure growing from ground up
Term
What are two rocks that caves may form in?
Definition
Limestone and marble
Term
Karst Topography
Definition
Landscape that develops in humid regions with limestone bedrock
-caverns
-sinkholes (dolines)
-poorly developed stream systems
Term
Hot springs
Definition
ground water that comes into contact with hot rocks near magma chambers
Term
Tavertine
Definition
massive deposit of calcium carbonate deposited by hot springs
Term
Fumarole
Definition
a vent opening in the ground from which steams and other gasses escape
Term
Fumarole
Definition
a vent opening in the ground from which steams and other gasses escape
Term
Geysers
Definition
Eruption of steam and water
Term
Urban development in flooding areas may:
Definition
increase flood level
Term
Dams
Definition
releases water slowly
Term
Levees
Definition
Embankments to keep stream in its channel
Term
Floodwalls
Definition
concrete walls to keep stream inside its channel
Term
What was the worst river disaster recorded in history?
Definition
Hwang Ho (Yellow) river
Term
Perennial stream
Definition
contains water all year
Term
intermittent
Definition
contains water in the rainy season
Term
ephemeral
Definition
contains water only during rain or shortly after
Term
Drainage basin
Definition
region drained by a single stream system
Term
Divide
Definition
ridge separating adjacent drainage basins
Term
The Mississippi River drains how much of the lower 48 states?
Definition
1/3
Term
Continental Divide
Definition
Separates stream systems draining into different oceans
Term
Internal Drainage
Definition
stream drains into interior basin - water is saline
Term
Gradient
Definition
Angle of stream (steepness)
Term
Upper Reach of stream characteristics
Definition
-steep gradient
-V shaped valleys
-rapids and waterfalls
Term
Knickpoint
Definition
resistant rock above, less resistant rock below
Term
How far does Niagra falls move upstream every year?
Definition
4.3 feet per year
Term
Lower reach of stream characteristics:
Definition
-gentle gradient
-wide flood plain
Term
Base Level
Definition
Lowest point to which a stream can flow or erode at its bed
Term
Dendritic Drainage
Definition
Tree like pattern; most common
Term
Trellis Drainage
Definition
Long, parallel; alternating layers of hard and soft rock
Term
Radial Drainage
Definition
Streams radiate out of mountain
Term
Centripetal Drainage
Definition
Streams converge to a central basin
Term
Competance
Definition
the size of the largest particle a stream can carry
Term
capacity
Definition
maximum load a stream can carry
Term
factors effecting stream process
Definition
1)velocity
2)discharge
Term
factors effecting velocity:
Definition
1)channel shape
2)gradient
3)channel roughness
Term
What is the discharge equation?
Definition
Q = W*D*V
Term
Thalweg
Definition
line connecting deepest parts of the channel; doesn't follow middle of channel all the time
Term
What is the most common type of stream called?
Definition
Meandering stream
Term
On a meandering stream, where does erosion and deposition take place?
Definition
Erosion: outside of curve
Deposition: inside of curve
Term
Oxbow lakes
Definition
Sections of streams that are cut off from the stream after it gets wider and wider
Term
exotic stream
Definition
originates elsewhere in a humid region and flows into a dry region
Term
Playa
Definition
Dry desert lake; evaporates quickly
Term
Bajada
Definition
series of alluvial fans that have coalesced along the foot of the mountains
Term
Deflation
Definition
lifting and removal of sand particles by wind; may form depressions called blowouts
Term
Reg
Definition
stony desert surface
Term
Saltation
Definition
material is bounced across bed
Term
traction
Definition
Material is dragged around bed
Term
wave of translation becomes a wave of oscillation.
Definition
false (other way around)
Term
What is the best method of protecting a shore?
Definition
wide beaches to absorb the energy of the waves
Term
Submergent coast
Definition
sea level has risen or land has subsided
Term
Emergent coast
Definition
land rises; wave-cut platforms form in marine terraces
Term
Fringing coral
Definition
forms around a volcano or islanf
Term
barrier coral
Definition
slightly off shore from an island
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