Quiz 15: Wind Processes

Arid and semiarid climates cover about of Earth's surface. A)three-fourths B)a quarter C)two-thirds D)one-half E)one-third

The term "eolian" refers to A)stream-related processes. B)glacial processes in areas outside the polar regions. C)erosion,transportation,and deposition by the wind. D)weathering and mass movement in humid regions. E)coastal erosion and deposition.

For purposes of discussing eolian processes,the wind acts like a A)solid. B)gas. C)plasma. D)fluid. E)degenerate matter.

The ability of the wind to move materials A)exceeds that of other transporting agents,such as water and ice. B)is small compared to other transporting agents,such as water and ice. C)is greater than that of water because of the higher density of air compared to water. D)increases with decreased wind speed. E)is equal to other transporting agents,such as water and ice.

a()Ground view b()Aerial view Dust storms engulf Phoenix,Arizona,in 2013 (ground view)and 2016 (aerial view). Dust storms,such as one from Arizona in 2013,are caused by downbursts associated with thunderstorms.Such storms are termed A)playas. B)deflation. C)blowout depression. D)ventifacts. E)haboobs.

The transport of small sand particles (0.07 to 0.20 mm)along the ground in a bouncing and skipping action is known as A)deflation. B)abrasion. C)saltation. D)surface creep. E)traction.

Saltation accounts for about % of sediment transport by wind. A)15 B)35 C)50 D)65 E)80

The sliding and rolling along the ground of particles larger than 0.5 mm is known as A)deflation. B)abrasion. C)saltation. D)surface creep. E)traction.

The removal and lifting of individual loose particles by the wind is termed A)deflation. B)abrasion. C)saltation. D)deposition. E)traction.

A depression created by deflation is known as a A)playa. B)bolson. C)blowout. D)structural basin. E)haboob.

Large depressions,such as the Qattâra depression,formed as a result of A)deflation. B)orogeny. C)subduction. D)converging plates. E)tectonic forces.

The grinding and shaping of rock surfaces by the "sand blasting" action of particles captured in the air is termed A)deflation. B)abrasion. C)saltation. D)deposition. E)traction.

The term used to describe rocks that are pitted,fluted,or polished from eolian erosion is A)desert pavement. B)pumice. C)ventifacts. D)deflation hollows. E)dunes.

Elongated,streamlined ridges aligned parallel to the most effective wind direction are called A)ventifacts. B)yardangs. C)desert pavements. D)alluvial rock structures. E)terraces.

Desert pavement refers to A)specially constructed roadbeds in dry and hot regions. B)surfaces of concentrated pebbles and gravels. C)deposits of silt and clay. D)sand-covered surfaces. E)any rock shaped by eolian erosion.

The deflation hypothesis of desert pavement formation states A)wind removes fine particles leaving large pebbles,gravels,and rocks,which become consolidated. B)wind delivers fine particles that settle and wash downward as cycles of swelling and shrinking cause gravels to migrate upward. C)water removes fine particles leaving large pebbles,gravels,and rocks,which become consolidated. D)water delivers fine particles that settle and wash downward as cycles of swelling and shrinking cause gravels to migrate upward. E)both wind and water deliver fine particles that settle and wash downward as cycles of swelling and shrinking cause gravels to migrate upward.

The sediment-accumulation hypothesis of desert pavement formation states A)wind removes fine particles leaving large pebbles,gravels,and rocks,which become consolidated. B)wind delivers fine particles that settle and wash downward as cycles of swelling and shrinking cause gravels to migrate upward. C)water removes fine particles leaving large pebbles,gravels,and rocks,which become consolidated. D)water delivers fine particles that settle and wash downward as cycles of swelling and shrinking cause gravels to migrate upward. E)both wind and water remove fine particles leaving large pebbles,gravels,and rocks,which become consolidated.

Which of the following terms is not a correct reference to a desert pavement? A)gibber plain B)lag gravels C)sand seas D)reg desert E)gobi

The smallest features shaped by individual saltating grains are A)ripples. B)dunes. C)sand seas. D)reg deserts. E)ventifacts.

An extensive area of sand and sand dunes is known as a(n) A)reg desert. B)erg desert,or sand sea. C)lag desert. D)desert pavement. E)gibber plain.

Which side of a dune typically has a slope angle equal to that of the angle of repose for sand? A)windward B)leeward C)stoss D)top E)bottom

Relative to dune movement and form,a dune's slipface forms on which side? A)leeward side B)windward side C)freedune side D)direction opposite of dune movement E)It is not associated with a particular side.

Active dunes cover approximately % of Earth's deserts. A)10 B)27 C)45 D)63 E)80

Which of the following is not a general shape upon which scientists classify dunes? A)rectilinear B)crescentic C)linear D)star E)parabolic

dunes form with their tips pointing downwind,usually in areas with limited sand supply and little to no vegetation. A)Linear B)Barchan C)Longitudinal D)Transverse E)Parabolic

In vegetated dune landscapes,dunes form with their tips pointing upwind. A)Linear B)Barchan C)Longitudinal D)Transverse E)Parabolic

dunes form parallel to the prevailing wind,often extending for hundreds of kilometers in length. A)Linear B)Barchan C)Longitudinal D)Transverse E)Star

dunes are the largest in size and have multiple slipfaces produced by winds from varying directions. A)Linear B)Barchan C)Longitudinal D)Transverse E)Star

Windblown dust that accumulates into homogeneous deposits is known as A)gobi. B)deflation hollows. C)yardangs. D)desert pavement. E)loess.

Which of the following is correct regarding loess deposits? A)They are principally composed of sands and gravels. B)They are formed of fine-grained clays,silts and fine. C)They are found only in the United States. D)They form only following glacial activity. E)They are poor agricultural soils.

The loess deposits in Europe and North America are thought to be derived mainly from A)alluvium,i.e.stream deposited materials. B)ocean sediments. C)windblown desert sediments. D)glacial and periglacial sources. E)deeply entrenched river channels.

The vast loess deposits in China are thought to be derived mainly from A)alluvium,i.e.stream deposited materials. B)ocean sediments. C)windblown desert sediments. D)glacial and periglacial sources. E)deeply entrenched river channels.

Factors that influence dry climates include all the following except A)seasonal influence of the ITCZ. B)dry,subsiding air associated with subtropical high pressure systems. C)location in the rain shadow of mountains. D)cool,stabilizing ocean currents along the western margins of continents. E)location in continental interiors.

The general term for the land degradation in arid and semiarid regions characterized by expansions of deserts is A)desertification. B)woody plant encroachment. C)eolian process. D)deflation. E)saltation.

Which of the following is not considered a cause of desertification? A)poor agricultural practices B)climate change C)poor soil-moisture management D)salinization E)afforestation

Areas at risk of desertification Which of the following areas is at highest (very high)risk of desertification? A)the U.S.Great Plains B)the Sahel C)central Canada D)eastern China E)central Australia

The Aral Sea,once one of the four largest lakes in the world,has steadily decreased since the 1960s on account of A)diversion of incoming rivers for irrigation. B)climate change. C)urbanization. D)hydroelectric production. E)deforestation and resulting sedimentation.

The leading cause of decline in Lake Urmia is A)drought. B)climate change. C)urbanization. D)hydroelectric production. E)water withdrawal.

Ephemeral channels that form in dryland climates in response to infrequent precipitation events are known as A)arroyos. B)hollows. C)yardangs. D)ventifacts. E)alluvial fans.

Cone-shaped deposits of sediment often found at mouth of canyons in arid and semiarid climates are called A)deposition. B)deltas. C)alluvial fans. D)clastics. E)arroyos.

Alluvial fans are formed as flowing water as it leaves a constricted channel. A)gains velocity B)changes direction C)down cuts D)loses velocity E)expands.

A forms when individual alluvial fans coalesce. A)star dune B)playa C)yardang D)desert pavement E)bajada

The coarsest materials,such as gravel,of an alluvial fan are found A)near the mouth of the canyon. B)at the edge of the fan. C)throughout the whole fan. D)within a playa. E)at the base of the fan.

A is a dry bed of an ephemeral lake a dryland region. A)star dune B)playa. C)yardang D)desert pavement E)bajada

Dryland rugged terrain of slopes dissected by rills and gullies are known as A)qanats. B)arroyos. C)badlands. D)bajadas. E)playas.

A large region identifiable by several topographic or geological traits is known as a(n) A)topographic region. B)ecoregion. C)physiographic province. D)biome. E)alluvial terrace.

The Basin and Range Province in the western United States is an example of a landscape. A)tensional B)reverse C)horst and graben D)compressional E)Great Plains

Weathering of sandstone alcoves used for ancient cliff dwellings An alcove in sandstone,such as that in the Cliff House at Mesa Verde,is indicative of which weathering process? A)exfoliation B)carbonation C)root wedging D)salt-crystal growth E)hydrolysis

Rocks of the same composition and structure found in the same area may have weathered at uneven rates due to a variety of factors.This is known as . A)angle of repose B)jointing C)inertial resistance D)denudation E)differential weathering

are flat-topped landforms with steep slopes resulting from differential weathering. A)Mesas B)Inselbergs C)Badlands D)Arroyos E)Alluvial fans

are steep-sided landforms resulting from the weathering and mass wasting of mesas. A)Volcanic necks B)Badlands C)Dikes D)Plugs E)Buttes

are isolated remnants of resistant rock and products of long-term weathering and erosion. A)Mesas B)Inselbergs C)Badlands D)Arroyos E)Alluvial fans

Dune migration on the Navajo Nation in the U.S.Southwest is an example of A)desertification. B)woody plant encroachment. C)eolian transport. D)deflation. E)saltation.

What are the mechanisms by which air moves dust and sand?

What are the two competing hypotheses describing the formation of desert pavement?

Describe the eolian processes of deflation and abrasion.

Explain the formation of sand dunes.

What is loess? How do the loess deposits of North America and Europe vary from those in China?

What is desertification? What causes it? What areas are at risk of desertification?

Describe the formation of alluvial fans and bajadas.