Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition in Texas Ecoregions

The Gulf Prairies and Marshes ecoregion experience significant soil erosion. One would expect the climate in this region to be –

• dry and hot.

• cold and snowy.

• wet and rainy.

• warm and humid.

The Brazos River is the longest river in Texas, emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. What type of land formation would you expect to find where the river deposits sediments as it
reaches the Gulf?

• A cave

• A mountain

• A delta

• A valley

In Galveston, the beaches are often exposed to hurricanes originating in the Gulf of Mexico. It is reasonable to predict that hurricane activity may...

• create new rivers near Galveston

• move sand from the beach to offshore sand bars

• cause local earthquakes after the storm

• create new river deltas along the beaches

Layers of sediment forming at the bottom of the ocean floor

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

The students watch ocean waves crash on a beach. Which statement best describes deposition of the waves?

• Grass on the beach will grow longer.

• Sand from the beach will wash away.

• Salt from the ocean will be left on the beach.

• Currents in the ocean will become stronger.

Which of the following would be the "most effective" action that humans could take to keep a barrier island from erosion (washing away)?

• plant lots of trees, bushes, and grass on the island

• limit the number of people that can come onto the island

• build a bridge from the island to the mainland

• stop building houses and roads on the island

The picture shows part of the Piney Woods ecoregion in east Texas. Which of the following best explains why the earth's surface is not forming landforms in this ecoregion?

• The high vegetation decreases erosion from water and wind.

• The high amount of vegetation soaks up most of the corrosive water into their leaves.

• The trees broke down all of the previous landforms through weathering.

• The trees in this region hide the diverse landforms underneath them.

The tall rock formations with smooth surfaces in Big Bend

National Park were formed over time by -

• rock deposition.

• water erosion.

• local vegetation.

• wind weathering.

In the Edwards Plateau, the limestone rocks are highly
vulnerable to chemical and physical weathering. Which of the following land formations would be expected in this area?

• Canyons

• Lakes

• Rivers

• Caves

The Blackland Prairie ecoregion of Texas has many exposed boulders that are smooth and rounded. What feature of this area caused the boulders to take on these characteristics?

• Moving glaciers

• Wind-blown sand and rain

• Wave and current actions

• Deep and rapid rivers