Exam 4: Weathering, soil, and Mass Wasting

Which of the following poses the greatest risk of massive loss of life and property along its path?

Based on the examples and discussion in Chapter 4,what is the relationship of climate to weathering,both chemical and mechanical? Also,are certain climates more susceptible to certain types of weathering? Why or why not?

Feldspars commonly decompose during weathering to clay minerals,silica,and soluble constituents.

What term describes a soil that has developed from silt and clay deposited by a flooding river?

From the land surface downward to the unweathered bedrock,which of the following is the correct order of the different soil horizons?

In terrain with steep hill slopes,which crop and cultivation technique will minimize soil erosion?

A rancher overgrazes his land in an area underlain by heavy clay soils and regolith developed from weathering of claystone.After a series of heavy rains small creeks develop deep gullies along their length.A light steady rain develops and continues for several days.What should the rancher be concerned about on his overgrazed lands?

Which soil horizon represents the uppermost limit of the zone of accumulation,also referred to as the subsoil?

Like most other liquids,water decreases in volume when it freezes.

A geologist is looking at deposits along a river below a large volcano.She finds large boulders mixed with sand and mud,and all of the material is comprised of volcanic rocks,particularly the mud which is volcanic ash.She quickly realizes these deposits represent an ancient ________.

Which of the following is not a physical weathering process?

A mass wasting process that involves rapid down-slope movement of debris aided by a cushion of air is called ________.

A triggering mechanism,such as heavy rains or an earthquake,are necessary for mass wasting to occur.

Haiti is a mountainous island nation that has terrible problems with landslides.Which of the following explanations would best explain the problem?

The most rapid type of mass movement is a ________.

How do the strength and cohesion of clay-rich regolith or soil change with the addition of water?

Which statement best describes slumping,a mass wasting process?

Solifluction is an important mass wasting process in areas of permafrost.

A mass wasting process that involves slip of solid rock above a distinct sliding surface is called ________.

Bedding planes and fractures can both act as slip surfaces for rockslides.