Unit 9: Surface Processes Review

Review: Surface Processes:

PART 1: WEATHERING
a)

Weathering is the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks at
or near Earth’s surface.

i)

Acid rain dissolves bedrock composed of calcite (limestone;
marble).

b)

Soils are the result of weathering and biological activity over
long periods of time.

Complete questions 1-5

Multiple Choice

1. Which process involves either a physical or chemical breakdown of earth materials?

• a) deposition

• b) sedimentation

• C) weathering

• D) cementing

Multiple Choice

2. The action of the root splitting the bedrock is an example of

• a. chemical weathering

• b. deposition

• c. erosion

• d. physical weathering

1.

Which process involves either a physical or chemical breakdown of earth
materials?
a.

Deposition

b.

Sedimentation

c.

Weathering

d.

Cementing

2. The diagram shows the stump of a tree whose root
grew into a small crack in bedrock and split the rock
apart. The action of the root splitting the bedrock is an
example of

a.

chemical weathering

b.

deposition

c.

erosion

d.

physical weathering

Multiple Choice

3. The diagram to the right shows a process called frost wedging. 

Frost wedging is an example of

• a. weathering

• b. erosion

• c. cementing

• d. deposition

Multiple Choice

4. The two block diagrams represent the formation of caves.  Which types of weathering and erosion are primarily responsible for the formation of caves?

• a. chemical weathering and groundwater flow

• b. chemical weathering and runoff

• c. physical weathering and groundwater flow

• d. physical weathering and runoff

3. The diagram to the right shows a process called frost wedging.

Frost wedging is an example of
a.

weathering

b.

erosion

c.cementing

d.

Deposition

4. The two block diagrams represent the formation of
caves.
Which types of weathering and erosion are primarily
responsible for the formation of caves?
a.

chemical weathering and groundwater flow

b.

chemical weathering and runoff

c.

physical weathering and groundwater flow

d.

physical weathering and runoff

Multiple Choice

5. Soil horizons develop as a result of

• evaporation and transpiration

• compacting and cementing

• weathering and biological activity

• faulting and folding

5. Soil horizons develop as a result of

a.

evaporation and transpiration

b.

compacting and cementing

c.

weathering and biological activity

d.

faulting and folding

Part 2: EROSION & DEPOSITION - Mass Movement, Wind, and Ocean Waves
a)Erosion: Natural agents of erosion, generally driven by gravity, remove, transport, and deposit
weathered rock particles.

b)

Deposition: Patterns of deposition result from a loss of energy within the transporting system and
are influenced by the size, shape, and density of the transported particles. Sediment deposits may
be sorted (vertically or horizontally) or unsorted.

c)Factors affecting erosion & deposition: each agent of erosion produces distinctive changes in
the material that it transports and creates characteristic surface features and landscapes.

i)Mass movement: Earth materials move downslope under the influence of gravity resulting in
unsorted, angular sediments.

ii)Wind: Erosion of small sediments by wind is most common in arid climates and along
shorelines.

(1)

Wind-generated features include dunes and sand-blasted bedrock.

iii)

Ocean Waves Erosion and deposition cause changes in shoreline features, including beaches,
sandbars, and barrier islands. Wave action rounds sediments as a result of abrasion. Waves
approaching a shoreline move sand parallel to the shore within the zone of breaking waves.

Multiple Choice

6. The photograph below shows a sandstone butte in an arid region. 

Which agents of erosion are currently changing the appearance of this butte?

• a. glaciers and mass movement

• b. wind and mass movement

• c. wave action and running water

• d. running water and glaciers

Multiple Choice

7. A landslide is an example of

• a. river deposition

• b. glacial scouring

• c. mass movement

• d. chemical weathering

Multiple Choice

8. Pieces of bedrock material that are broken from a cliff and deposited by a landslide at the base of the cliff are best described as

• a. rounded and sorted

• b. rounded and unsorted

• c. angular and sorted

• d. angular and unsorted

7. A landslide is an example of

a.

river deposition

b.

glacial scouring

c.

mass movement

d.

chemical weathering

8. Pieces of bedrock material that are broken from a cliff and deposited by a landslide at the
base of the cliff are best described as
a.

rounded and sorted

b.

rounded and unsorted

c.

angular and sorted

d.

angular and unsorted

Multiple Choice

9. The narrow, sandy, barrier islands in the ocean along the south coast of Long Island were deposited by

• a. wind

• b. streams

• c. glacial ice

• d. wave action

Multiple Choice

10. Which diagram represents a side view of a sand dune most commonly formed as a result of the prevailing wind direction shown?

9. The narrow, sandy, barrier islands in the ocean along the south coast of Long Island were
deposited by
a.

Wind

b.

Streams

c.

glacial ice

d.

wave action

10. Which diagram represents a side view of a sand dune most commonly formed as a result
of the prevailing wind direction shown?

Multiple Choice

11. Which agent of erosion most likely moves sediments in a sand dune?

• a. wind

• b. glaciers

• c. wave action

• d. running water

11. Which agent of erosion most likely moves sediments in a sand dune?
a.

Wind

b.

Glaciers

c.

wave action

d.

running water

Part 3: Erosion Deposition - Running Water

i)Running Water: causes the greatest changes to Earth’s landscape.

(1)

Gradient, discharge, and channel shape influence a stream’s velocity and the
erosion and deposition of sediments.

(a)

Erosion occurs on the outside of a stream curve. Deposition occurs on the inside
of a stream curve.

(b)

The size of sediments that can be transported by running water can be
determined using the graph on ESRT page 6 – Relationship of Transported
Particle Size to Water Velocity

(2)

Sediments transported by streams tend to become rounded as a result of abrasion.

(3)

Stream features include V-shaped valleys, deltas, floodplains, and meanders.

(a)

Deltas have horizontally sorted sediments because water velocity decreases
when a stream enters a large body of water.

(4)

A watershed is the area drained by a stream and its tributaries.

Multiple Choice

12. Trees growing on the edge of a river’s meander are most likely to fall into the river due to

• a) deposition on the inside of the meander

• b) deposition on the outside of the meander

• c) erosion on the inside of the meander

• d) erosion on the outside of the meander

Multiple Choice

13. Sediment is deposited in a river delta because the

• a) velocity of the river decreases

• b) force of gravity decreases

• c) volume of the river increases

• d) gradient of the river increases

12. Trees growing on the edge of a river’s meander are most likely to fall into the river due to

a.

deposition on the inside of the meander

b.

deposition on the outside of the meander

c.

erosion on the inside of the meander

d.

erosion on the outside of the meander

13. Sediment is deposited in a river delta because the

e.

velocity of the river decreases

f.force of gravity decreases

g.

volume of the river increases

h.

gradient of the river increases

Multiple Choice

14. The block diagram represents a landscape that was produced by a meandering stream. One landscape feature is labeled X. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations on the stream banks. Erosion is most likely greatest at locations

• a. A and B

• b. B and C

• c. C and D

• d. D and A

14. he block diagram represents a landscape that was produced by a meandering
stream.One landscape feature is labeled X. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations on
the stream banks.

Erosion is most likely greatest at locations

a.A and B

b.B and C

c.C and D

d.D and A

Multiple Choice

15. The landscape feature labeled X is best described as

• a. a flood plain

• b. a sand bar

• c. a delta

• d. an escarpment

15. The landscape feature labeled X is best described as

a.

a flood plain

b.

a sand bar

c.

a delta

d.

an escarpment

Multiple Choice

16. Which cross section best represents the valley shape where a rapidly flowing stream is cutting into the bedrock in a mountainous area?

Multiple Choice

17. The map shows a meandering stream as it enters a lake. The arrow shows the direction of stream flow. Points A through D represent locations on the surface of the stream. 

The greatest stream velocities are found closest to points

• a. A and B

• b. B and C

• c. C and D

• d. D and A

i)Glaciers: Glacial erosional processes include the formation of U-shaped valleys,
parallel scratches, and grooves in bedrock.

(1)

Glacial features include:

Moraines: mound of unsorted, unlayered sediments deposited by the edge of
a glacier.

(a)

Drumlins: glacial hills that indicate the direction of glacial movement.

(b)

Kettle lakes: glacial lakes the form when blocks of ice are left behind and
melt.

(c)

Finger lakes: long, deep lakes formed by glaciers with a U-shaped bottom.

(d)

Erratic: rocks that have been transported by a glacier.

(e)

Outwash plains:horizontally sorted sediments that formed when the front of
the glacier melted.

Multiple Choice

18. Evidence that glaciers covered large areas of New York State is best provided by

• a. long-term temperature measurements

• b. folded layers of bedrock

• c. kettle lakes and drumlins

• d. the presence of streams and rivers

18. Evidence that glaciers covered large areas of New York State is best provided
by

a.

long-term temperature measurements

b.

folded layers of bedrock

c.

kettle lakes and drumlins

d.

the presence of streams and rivers

Multiple Choice

19. The photograph below shows a large boulder of metamorphic rock in a field in the Allegheny Plateau region of New York State.  The boulder was most likely moved to this location by

• a. glacial ice

• b. prevailing wind

• c. streamflow

• d. volcanic action

Multiple Choice

20. The cross sections below show a three-stage sequence in the development of a glacial feature.  Which glacial feature has formed by the end of stage 3?

• a. kettle lake

• b. finger lake

• c. drumlin

• d. parallel scratches

Multiple Choice

21. The diagram below shows a hand-sized rock sample with parallel sets of grooves. This rock sample was found in a gravel bank in central Vermont. The grooves were most likely caused by

• a. stream erosion

• b. wind erosion

• c. landslide

• d. glacial erosion

Multiple Choice

22. The diagram below represents the surface topography of a mountain valley. Which agent of erosion most likely created the shape of the valley shown in the diagram?

• a. wind

• b. glaciers

• c. ocean waves

• d. running watery

PART 5: LANDSCAPES

a)

Classification:

i)Mountains (highlands) have high elevation & tilted/faulted/folded bedrock

ii)

Plateaus (uplands) have high elevation & horizontal sedimentary layers

iii)

Plains (lowlands) have low elevation & horizontal sedimentary layers

b)

NYS Landscape Regions are found on ESRT page 2.

c)

Climate:

i)Humid climates have rounded lands with a lot of vegetation.

ii)

Arid climates have sharp, angular land with little vegetation.

d)

Stream drainage pattern are dependent on bedrock structure.

Multiple Choice

23. Which two cities are located in the Interior Lowlands?

• (1) Elmira and Binghamton

• (2) Riverhead and New York City

• (3) Massena and Old Forge

• 4) Buffalo and Watertown

Multiple Choice

The Catskills landscape region is classified as a plateau because it has

• (1) low elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock

• (2) low elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock

• (3) high elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock

• 4) high elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock

23. Which two cities are located in the Interior Lowlands?

(1) Elmira and Binghamton

(3) Massena and Old Forge

(2) Riverhead and New York City

(4) Buffalo and Watertown

24. The Catskills landscape region is classified as a plateau because it has

(1) low elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock
(2) low elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock
(3) high elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock
(4) high elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock

23. Which two cities are located in the Interior Lowlands?

(1) Elmira and Binghamton

(3) Massena and Old Forge

(2) Riverhead and New York City

(4) Buffalo and Watertown

24. The Catskills landscape region is classified as a plateau because it has

(1) low elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock
(2) low elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock
(3) high elevations and mostly faulted or folded bedrock
(4) high elevations and mostly horizontal bedrock

Multiple Choice

The block diagrams below, labeled A, B, and C, show the relative elevation and rock structure of three different landscape regions. Which set correctly identifies the landscape region shown in each block diagram?

• A) A—mountain, B—plateau, C—plain

• B) A—mountain, B—plain, C—plateau

• C) A—plateau, B—mountain, C—plain

• D) A—plateau, B—plain, C—mountain