Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam

Front

What type of weather front is often preceded by fog?

Back

Warm front.

Front

What geological feature occurs in the Blue Ridge area of North Carolina?

Back

A fault.

Front

What are the two main factors that influence ocean currents?

Back

Wind and density.

Front

Where do temperate rainforests exist in North Carolina and why?

Back

In the mountains where high elevations regularly cause higher rainfall totals.

Front

What happens if Earth’s rate of rotation slows down?

Back

Both precession and nutation of the Earth’s axis of rotation would increase.

Front

Define a warm front.

Back

A warm front is a boundary between a warm air mass and a cooler air mass, where the warm air rises over the cooler air, often leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

Front

What is a fault in geological terms?

Back

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can lead to earthquakes.

Front

How do wind and density affect ocean currents?

Back

Wind drives surface currents, while density differences caused by temperature and salinity create deeper currents.

Front

What is the significance of high elevations in the formation of temperate rainforests?

Back

High elevations can lead to orographic lift, causing increased rainfall and creating suitable conditions for temperate rainforests.

Front

Explain precession in relation to Earth's rotation.

Back

Precession is the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth's rotational axis, which can be influenced by changes in rotation speed.