Take The Ultimate Landscapes Earth Science Questions!

1. Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how much you now know about Earth’s landscapes (mountains, plateaus, glaciers, valleys, escarpments, streams, etc.).

This question asks the respondent to rate their knowledge about Earth's landscapes on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer options given are 1, 2, 3, and 4, indicating that the respondent can choose any of these options to rate their knowledge.

Explanation

This question asks the respondent to rate their knowledge about Earth's landscapes on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer options given are 1, 2, 3, and 4, indicating that the respondent can choose any of these options to rate their knowledge.

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2. Rate, on a scale of 1 – 4, 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest, how interested are you now in Earth’s landscapes (mountains, plateaus, glaciers, valleys, escarpments, streams, etc.).

The question asks the respondent to rate their interest in Earth's landscapes on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer provided suggests that the respondent is interested in all aspects of Earth's landscapes, as they have selected all options from 1 to 4.

Explanation

The question asks the respondent to rate their interest in Earth's landscapes on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The answer provided suggests that the respondent is interested in all aspects of Earth's landscapes, as they have selected all options from 1 to 4.

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3. The opposite of erosion is (Standard 2.1w):

Motion

Sediment

Traveling

Extrusion

Deposition

Erosion is the process of wearing away or carrying away soil, rock, or sediment from one location to another. The opposite of erosion would be the process of depositing or settling down sediment or particles in a specific location. Therefore, the correct answer is deposition.

Explanation

Erosion is the process of wearing away or carrying away soil, rock, or sediment from one location to another. The opposite of erosion would be the process of depositing or settling down sediment or particles in a specific location. Therefore, the correct answer is deposition.

4. The table below describes the characteristics of three landscape regions, A, B, and C, found in the United States. Which list best identifies landscapes A, B, and C? This question may require the Earth Science Reference Tables (Standard 1.2r).

A- mountain, B - plain, C - plateau

A - plain, B - plateau, C - mountain

A - plateau, B - mountain, C - plain

A - plain, B - mountain, C - plateau

A- plateau, B – plain, C - mountain

The correct answer is A- mountain, B - plain, C - plateau because the table describes A as having high elevation, steep slopes, and rugged terrain, which are characteristics of a mountain. B is described as having low elevation, gentle slopes, and flat terrain, which are characteristics of a plain. C is described as having moderate elevation, moderate slopes, and relatively flat terrain, which are characteristics of a plateau.

Explanation

The correct answer is A- mountain, B - plain, C - plateau because the table describes A as having high elevation, steep slopes, and rugged terrain, which are characteristics of a mountain. B is described as having low elevation, gentle slopes, and flat terrain, which are characteristics of a plain. C is described as having moderate elevation, moderate slopes, and relatively flat terrain, which are characteristics of a plateau.

5. The shape of elongated hills labeled drumlins is most useful in determining the (Standard 2.1u):

Age of the glacier

Direction of glacial movement

Thickness of the glacial ice

Rate of glacial movement

Rate of global climate change

The shape of elongated hills labeled drumlins is most useful in determining the direction of glacial movement. Drumlins are elongated hills that are formed by the movement of glaciers. They have a distinct shape with a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other. The steep slope indicates the direction from which the glacier came, while the gentle slope shows the direction in which the glacier moved. Therefore, by studying the shape and orientation of drumlins, scientists can determine the direction of glacial movement.

Explanation

The shape of elongated hills labeled drumlins is most useful in determining the direction of glacial movement. Drumlins are elongated hills that are formed by the movement of glaciers. They have a distinct shape with a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other. The steep slope indicates the direction from which the glacier came, while the gentle slope shows the direction in which the glacier moved. Therefore, by studying the shape and orientation of drumlins, scientists can determine the direction of glacial movement.

6. Condensation is often triggered as water vapor that is rising in the atmosphere (Standard 1.2g):

Cools

Warms

Contracts

Transpires

Breaks apart

When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it encounters cooler temperatures. As a result, the water vapor loses heat and energy, causing it to condense into liquid water droplets. This process is known as condensation.

Explanation

When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it encounters cooler temperatures. As a result, the water vapor loses heat and energy, causing it to condense into liquid water droplets. This process is known as condensation.

7. Which of the following agents of erosion usually deposits sediments that are NOT sorted by size (Standard 2.1t)?

Wind

Streams and rivers

Glaciers

Glacial meltwater

Glaciers usually deposit sediments that are not sorted by size. This is because as glaciers move, they pick up and carry rocks and sediment of different sizes. When the glacier melts or deposits its load, the sediments are left behind in a jumbled and unsorted manner. Unlike wind, streams and rivers, and glacial meltwater, which can sort sediments based on their size and weight as they transport them, glaciers do not have the same sorting mechanism, resulting in unsorted sediments.

Explanation

Glaciers usually deposit sediments that are not sorted by size. This is because as glaciers move, they pick up and carry rocks and sediment of different sizes. When the glacier melts or deposits its load, the sediments are left behind in a jumbled and unsorted manner. Unlike wind, streams and rivers, and glacial meltwater, which can sort sediments based on their size and weight as they transport them, glaciers do not have the same sorting mechanism, resulting in unsorted sediments.

8. The rate at which particles are deposited by a stream is least affected by the (Standard 2.1v):

Size and shape of the particles

Velocity of the stream

Density of the particles

Stream’s elevation above sea level

The rate at which particles are deposited by a stream is least affected by the stream's elevation above sea level. The size and shape of the particles, velocity of the stream, and density of the particles can all have an impact on the rate of deposition. However, the elevation above sea level does not directly affect the rate of deposition.

Explanation

The rate at which particles are deposited by a stream is least affected by the stream's elevation above sea level. The size and shape of the particles, velocity of the stream, and density of the particles can all have an impact on the rate of deposition. However, the elevation above sea level does not directly affect the rate of deposition.

9. The process of physical weathering and erosion shape Earth’s landforms by (Standard 2.1p):

Increasing the elevation of Earth’s surface

Lowering the elevation of Earth’s surface

Changing the composition of Earth’s surface

Bending rock layers near Earth’s surface

Causing global climate change

Physical weathering and erosion refers to the breaking down and transportation of rocks and sediment by natural processes such as wind, water, and ice. Over time, these processes can wear away the Earth's surface, gradually lowering its elevation. This can result in the formation of various landforms such as valleys, canyons, and plains. Therefore, the correct answer is "lowering the elevation of Earth's surface."

Explanation

Physical weathering and erosion refers to the breaking down and transportation of rocks and sediment by natural processes such as wind, water, and ice. Over time, these processes can wear away the Earth's surface, gradually lowering its elevation. This can result in the formation of various landforms such as valleys, canyons, and plains. Therefore, the correct answer is "lowering the elevation of Earth's surface."

10. Where this stream’s velocity decreases from 300 to 200 centimeters per second, which size sediment will be deposited? This question may require the Earth Science Reference Tables (Standard 2.1u).

Cobbles

Sand

Silt

Clay

Boulders

When a stream's velocity decreases, it loses the energy needed to transport larger sediment particles. As a result, the larger particles, such as cobbles and boulders, will be deposited first. Therefore, the correct answer is cobbles.

Explanation

When a stream's velocity decreases, it loses the energy needed to transport larger sediment particles. As a result, the larger particles, such as cobbles and boulders, will be deposited first. Therefore, the correct answer is cobbles.

11. Which property of soil is most likely to increase, as the size of the soil particles get smaller (Standard 1.2g)?

Capillarity

Permeability

Infiltration

Porosity

Magnanimity

As the size of soil particles gets smaller, the capillarity of the soil is most likely to increase. Capillarity refers to the ability of soil to absorb and hold water against the force of gravity. Smaller soil particles have more surface area, allowing for greater water retention and capillary action. This means that water can move more easily through the smaller particles, increasing the capillarity of the soil.

Explanation

As the size of soil particles gets smaller, the capillarity of the soil is most likely to increase. Capillarity refers to the ability of soil to absorb and hold water against the force of gravity. Smaller soil particles have more surface area, allowing for greater water retention and capillary action. This means that water can move more easily through the smaller particles, increasing the capillarity of the soil.

12. The diagram below shows a sample of conglomerate. Which agent of erosion was most likely responsible for shaping the pebbles that can be seen in this rock (Standard 2.1s)?

Mass movement

Strong winds

Accretion

Running water

Glacial ice

Running water is the most likely agent of erosion responsible for shaping the pebbles in the conglomerate rock. This is because running water, such as rivers or streams, has the ability to transport and move rocks and sediment, causing them to collide and rub against each other. Over time, this process of abrasion and attrition can shape the pebbles into their rounded form. Other agents of erosion like mass movement, strong winds, accretion, and glacial ice are less likely to produce the same rounded shape seen in the pebbles.

Explanation

Running water is the most likely agent of erosion responsible for shaping the pebbles in the conglomerate rock. This is because running water, such as rivers or streams, has the ability to transport and move rocks and sediment, causing them to collide and rub against each other. Over time, this process of abrasion and attrition can shape the pebbles into their rounded form. Other agents of erosion like mass movement, strong winds, accretion, and glacial ice are less likely to produce the same rounded shape seen in the pebbles.