Earth's Changing Surface! Trivia Quiz

2.

How do some plants break large rocks into smaller pieces?

Plant stems surround and squeeze rocks until they break
Plant roots grow into cracks in rocks, forcing them apart
Plant leaves protect the rocks from extreme temperatures
Plants fall into rocks and release their powerful chemicals

Correct Answer

A. Plant roots grow into cracks in rocks, forcing them apart

Explanation

Plant roots have the ability to grow into cracks in rocks. As the roots grow, they exert pressure on the rocks, forcing them apart. This process is known as root wedging. Over time, as the roots continue to grow and exert pressure, the cracks in the rocks widen, eventually causing the rocks to break into smaller pieces. This is a natural process that helps in the weathering and erosion of rocks by plants.

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3.

In the desert, you can find hills of sand. These were formed by wind erosion. What do we call these hills?

Deltas
Dunes
Moraines
Volcanoes

Correct Answer

A. Dunes

Explanation

Dunes are hills of sand that are formed by wind erosion in the desert. The wind blows sand particles and deposits them in certain areas, creating these distinctive hills. Dunes are a common feature in desert landscapes and can vary in size and shape. They are often formed by the interaction of wind direction, sand availability, and other environmental factors.

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4.

A fast-flowing river can gradually cut through layers of rock, creating a ___.

Volcano
Canyon
Glacier
Landslide

Correct Answer

A. Canyon

Explanation

A fast-flowing river can gradually cut through layers of rock, creating a canyon. Over time, the force of the water erodes the rock, carving out a deep and narrow valley with steep sides. The continuous flow of the river wears away at the rock, widening and deepening the canyon over thousands or even millions of years. Canyons are commonly found in areas with high erosion rates, such as arid regions or areas with steep gradients.

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5.

A delta is formed by what form of erosion?

Wind
Water
Ice
Plants

Correct Answer

A. Water

Explanation

A delta is formed by water erosion. Deltas are landforms that are created at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water, such as an ocean or a lake. Over time, the river carries sediment, such as sand, silt, and clay, downstream. When the river reaches the body of water, the water slows down and loses its energy, causing the sediment to settle and accumulate. This process, known as deposition, creates a fan-shaped landform called a delta.

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1

6.

Which is NOT a cause of desertification?

Deforestation of trees
Overcultivation of crops
Above-average rainfall and flash flooding
Subtle changes in the orbital path of Earth over vast periods of time

Correct Answer

A. Above-average rainfall and flash flooding

Explanation

Above-average rainfall and flash flooding are not causes of desertification. Desertification refers to the process of land degradation in which fertile land becomes desert-like, typically due to human activities such as deforestation and overcultivation. While above-average rainfall and flash flooding can have negative impacts on ecosystems, they do not directly contribute to the conversion of fertile land into desert. In fact, excessive rainfall can actually be beneficial for preventing desertification by providing water for vegetation growth.

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7.

Deflation in the desert can lead to the formation of:

Blow outs
Ventifacts
Cross beds
Sand dunes

Correct Answer

A. Blow outs

Explanation

Deflation in the desert refers to the process of wind removing loose sediment from the surface, creating depressions called blow outs. These blow outs are formed when the wind erodes the finer particles and leaves behind coarser materials such as gravel or pebbles. As the wind continues to remove the sediment, the depression deepens and widens, resulting in a blow out. Therefore, deflation in the desert can lead to the formation of blow outs.

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8.

The main agent that contributes to erosion and weathering in deserts is:

Ice
Wind
Running water
Rusting of minerals

Correct Answer

A. Running water

Explanation

Running water is the main agent that contributes to erosion and weathering in deserts. Although deserts are typically dry, they do experience occasional rainfall. When it does rain, the water quickly runs off the surface due to the lack of vegetation and permeable soil. This runoff can cause erosion by carrying away loose sediment and carving out channels in the desert landscape. Over time, running water can also weather rocks and minerals, breaking them down into smaller pieces. While wind and ice can also contribute to erosion in deserts, running water is the most significant agent due to its ability to transport sediment and shape the land.

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9.

Which best accounts for the fact that ancient deserts seemed to have formed in places that now experience temperate climates?

Human factors have contributed to desertification over time.
Plate tectonics has shifted the location of the region over time.
No evidence for ancient deserts has been preserved in the rock record.
Global wind and ocean current cycles have evolved dramatically over time.

Correct Answer

A. Plate tectonics has shifted the location of the region over time.

Explanation

Plate tectonics has shifted the location of the region over time. This explanation suggests that the movement of tectonic plates has caused the ancient deserts to be located in places that now experience temperate climates. As the plates shift, the landforms and climates change, leading to the transformation of deserts into temperate regions. This process is a natural occurrence and has occurred over a long period of time.

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10.

The bedload that is carried by wind to form dunes is primarily composed of:

Fine-grained silt
Microscopic silica
Pebbles and cobbles
Coarse grains of sand

Correct Answer

A. Coarse grains of sand

Explanation

The correct answer is coarse grains of sand. When wind blows, it is able to pick up and transport particles that are smaller and lighter. However, only sand-sized particles are heavy enough to be carried over long distances and deposited to form dunes. Fine-grained silt and microscopic silica are too light to be carried by wind for long distances, while pebbles and cobbles are too heavy to be lifted by wind in the first place. Therefore, the primary composition of the bedload carried by wind to form dunes is coarse grains of sand.

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Earth's Changing Surface! Trivia Quiz

What is the most common cause of earthquakes?

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How do some plants break large rocks into smaller pieces?

In the desert, you can find hills of sand. These were formed by wind erosion. What do we call these hills?

A fast-flowing river can gradually cut through layers of rock, creating a ___.

A delta is formed by what form of erosion?

Which is NOT a cause of desertification?

Deflation in the desert can lead to the formation of:

The main agent that contributes to erosion and weathering in deserts is:

Which best accounts for the fact that ancient deserts seemed to have formed in places that now experience temperate climates?

The bedload that is carried by wind to form dunes is primarily composed of: