Erosion Quiz

What is erosion?

• The process of soil gaining nutrients

• The movement of soil by wind or water to some new location

• The creation of soil from organic matter

• The solidification of molten rock into soil

How does erosion typically progress?

• It is always a rapid process

• It starts slowly and can speed up when soil is exposed

• It only occurs in arid regions

• It is a man-made process only

How much topsoil is lost each year to erosion?

• Millions of tons

• Thousands of tons

• Billions of tons

• Hundreds of tons

Where does rill erosion typically occur?

• On steep slopes with heavy vegetation

• On gentle slopes of exposed soil

• In urban areas with high levels of pollution

• Along riverbanks with strong currents

What can rill erosion create?

• Large caves in mountainous regions

• Small channels a few inches deep

• Wide rivers with strong flow

• Deep cracks in urban concrete structures

What may rill erosion turn into on steeper slopes?

• Sheet erosion

• Gully erosion

• River erosion

• Wind erosion

What type of erosion occurs on steep slopes and is caused by fast moving water cutting deep ditches into the soil?

• Sheet erosion

• Rill erosion

• Gully erosion

• Wind erosion

What is sheet erosion?

• The rapid removal of topsoil by heavy rainfall

• The gradual removal of topsoil by wind or water in thin layers

• The formation of deep channels in the soil by water flow

• The accumulation of soil in new locations due to wind

Where does sheet erosion typically occur?

• On steep, rocky cliffs

• In thick forested areas

• On very gentle to non-sloping exposed soils

• In urban concrete environments

How can sheet erosion be identified?

• By the presence of large boulders on the surface

• By the growth of new vegetation

• By blowing dust and muddy water

• By the appearance of sinkholes