Assignment 2: Please Review The Course Website For Access Da

Assignment 2please Review The Course Web Site For Access Dates Click

Please review the course web site for access dates. Click on the begin button to access the assignment and submit your answers. This covers Unit II Sculpting Earth's Surface in the textbook (Chapters 3 and 4). Multiple choice. Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question. (2 points each)

1) Plants consume water during photosynthesis. They also release it to the atmosphere during ________. A) transpiration B) infiltration C) evaporation D) degassing

2) ________ make up the suspended loads of most rivers and streams. A) Silt and clay-sized detrital grains B) Dissolved ions such as calcium and sodium C) Sand and gravel that move along the bottom during floods D) Point bars

3) Examine the sketch of a bend in a river. The arrows show the water flow direction. In which of the four lettered locations is deposition most likely to occur? A) A B) B C) C D) D

4) Groundwater is the largest reservoir of ________. A) glacial ice on Earth B) seawater on Earth C) water on Earth D) freshwater that is readily available to humans

5) Which of the following is not a form of mass wasting? A) rockslide B) slump C) debris flow D) transpiration

6) Groundwater may be ________. A) pumped out faster than natural processes can replenish it B) contaminated C) extracted in such high quantities that the soil packs together and reduces pore space, resulting in subsidence of the land surface D) all of the above

7) Groundwater tends to flow through bodies of rock or sediment that ________. A) have a high permeability B) are composed of dark silicate minerals C) have a high porosity D) are aquitards

8) A rainshadow desert forms ________. A) in cold, polar regions B) near the equator, where moist air rises (because it is hot and less dense) up, away from Earth's surface C) when dry air descends from high in the atmosphere between 20° and 30° latitude D) in places where mountain ranges act as barriers to the movement of water vapor

9) If accumulation exceeds ablation in a glacial budget, which of the following will happen? A) The glacier will melt away due to climate change. B) The terminus will shift uphill ("retreat"). C) The glacier will begin to flow uphill. D) The terminus will move downhill ("advance").

10) This cobble shows prominent scratches because ________. A) it was blasted by wind B) it was tumbled in a stream C) this was its shape when it was mechanically weathered from its source rock D) it was scraped against other rocks in a glacier

11) Where are drumlins formed? A) in areas of ground moraine B) in areas of glacial plucking C) in fiords D) in areas of alpine glaciation

12) When a valley glacier leaves the mountains and enters the relative flat lands below, it may spread out to form ________. A) an ice shelf B) an ice cap C) a piedmont glacier D) a lateral moraine

Fill in the blank. Write the word or phrase that best completes each statement or answers the question. (1 point each)

13) The river depicted in this drawing shows prominent ________.

14) What is the specific form of mass wasting illustrated here?

15) Old Faithful, a(n) ________ in Yellowstone National Park, erupts steam and hot water.

16) ________ is a measure of the volume of open space in rocks and unconsolidated, geological materials like alluvium and soils.

17) The maze of steep-sided limestone hills in the Guilin District of southern China is a celebrated example of ________.

18) ________ are formed when groundwater dissolves cavities into limestone.

19) Drawdown of groundwater due to heavy pumping from a well may result in a(n) ________, a "dimple" in the water table.

20) The ________ period of geologic time is depicted in this image.

21) A sinuous ridge composed of sand and gravel is a(n) ________; It is a deposit made by streams flowing in tunnels within or beneath glacial ice.

22) The ________ region of the United States is depicted in this image (above).

23) ________ form from the coalescence of multiple alluvial fans.

24) A hazard people face when crossing a glacier is falling into a(n) ________, a large crack that extends through the zone of fracture.

25) A landscape dominated by U-shaped valleys and pyramid-shaped mountains is most likely formed due to ________.

26) Lifting and removal of loose material like soil or sediment by the wind is called __________ , this process results in __________, a layer of coarse pebbles and cobbles that are too large to be moved by the wind overlying finer-grained sediment in desert regions.

27) Wind-deposited sand that forms mounds or ridges are called __________and ________ are preserved slip-faces that accumulate as a dune migrates.

28) Shallow depressions where soil or sediment has been stripped away by the wind are called _________.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding Earth's surface processes involves examining the roles of water, ice, and wind in shaping landscapes. This paper explores key concepts from Unit II in the textbook, integrating knowledge about erosion, sediment transport, glaciation, and desert features to elucidate the dynamic systems that sculpt our planet.

Introduction

The Earth's surface is continually reshaped by various natural forces, chief among them being water, ice, and wind. These agents are responsible for processes such as erosion, sediment transport, and deposition, which produce diverse landforms. By analyzing the mechanisms behind these processes, we gain insights into Earth's geological history and ongoing surface change.

Water Cycle and River Processes

Plants influence the water cycle significantly through photosynthesis, where they absorb water and release it during transpiration (A). This process is vital for maintaining environmental equilibrium. Rivers carry suspended loads, primarily comprised of silt and clay-sized detrital grains (A), which are transported along the water column. Stream valleys often show characteristic features: erosion occurs on the outer bends where water flow is fastest, causing cut banks, while deposition occurs on the inner bends, forming point bars (D). The meandering of rivers is driven by these erosional and depositional processes, which continually reshape valley landscapes.

Groundwater and Its Significance

Groundwater represents the largest reservoir of water on Earth (C), storing vast amounts beneath the surface in aquifers. It is a critical resource for human consumption, agriculture, and industry. However, groundwater can be over-extracted—pumped out faster than natural recharge, leading to contamination and land subsidence as pore spaces become compacted (D). Flow through permeable rocks and sediments occurs because these materials have high permeability and porosity (A, C), facilitating subsurface water movement, while aquitards impede flow (D). The formation of features such as limestone caverns occurs when groundwater dissolves cavities by chemical weathering (H). Drawdowns during excessive pumping create depressions called cone of depression (O).

Desert Formation and Features

Rainshadow deserts develop when dry air descends on the leeward side of mountain ranges (D), creating arid conditions. These areas have minimal precipitation, leading to sparse vegetation and unique landforms such as desert pavements—surfaces coated with coarse pebbles and cobbles (desert pavement). Wind erosion produces features like blowouts—shallow depressions where soil has been removed (Q). Wind-deposited sands accumulate into dunes, including barchans and transverse dunes, with slip faces that migrate as dunes shift (L). Shallow depressions called blowouts also form in desert landscapes.

Glaciation and Landform Development

Glaciers profoundly sculpt the terrain, carving U-shaped valleys and pyramidal peaks called horns through processes such as plucking and abrasion. Drumlins, streamlined hills, form beneath ice sheets in areas of ground moraine (A). As glaciers retreat or advance, features like moraines and eskers—snake-like ridges composed of sorted till and gravel—indicate past glacial activity. When glaciers exit mountainous regions to flatter areas, they form piedmont glaciers (C). The dynamics within glaciers include crevasses, deep fractures that pose hazards to explorers.

Conclusion

The diverse landforms resulting from erosion, sediment transport, and deposition underscore Earth's dynamic surface. Water, ice, and wind continue to influence landscapes, leaving records of past climate and geological events. Understanding these processes is essential for managing natural resources, mitigating hazards, and appreciating Earth's ongoing geological evolution.

References

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