Question 1

As a geologist working in a foreign country for the first time, you are asked to assess the potential for rapid mass wasting in a particular region. In what aspects or characteristics (geologic, geographic, biologic, etc.)of the region do you need for your assessment? Also, how could you possibly determine if mass wasting has been active in the recent geologic past (hundreds or thousands of years)?

Accepted Answer

In the region, is it mountainous, prone to earthquakes or have volcanic eruptions? Are there steep slopes or areas with no or little vegetation? How much snow or rainfall does it receive? Is the region affected by strong ocean wave action? To determine if mass wasting has occurred in the recent geologic past, scars or scarps on slopes may be observed or older rockslide or debris flows may be detected.

Question 2

As an erosional process, how is mass wasting unique from wind, water, and ice?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mass wasting affects particles of all sizes whereas the others affect only smaller particles.
B)  Mass wasting affects much larger geographic areas than does wind, water, and ice.
C)  Mass wasting does not require a transporting medium.
D)  All of the above make mass wasting unique compared to wind, water, and ice.

Question 3

Where do the most rapid mass- wasting events occur?

Accepted Answer

A)  gently sloped mountains
B)  rugged, geologically young mountains
C)  older, gradually sloped mountains
D)  areas with a high occurrence of earthquakes

Question 4

Unconsolidated, granular materials such as gravel and sand will support maximum slope angles of about 33 to 35 degrees. What is the name for this maximum slope angle?

Accepted Answer

angle of repose

Question 5

A geologist wants to locate a horizontal coal bed on a soil- covered slope where soil creep is active. A distinctive sandstone bed underlies the coal bed. On the basis of weathered sandstone fragments in the soil, where is the coal bed?

Accepted Answer

A)  just below the lowest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
B)  just above the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
C)  just above the lowest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
D)  just below the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil

Question 6

Which of the following statements concerning mudflows is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  In hilly areas, mudflows move down the canyons and stream valleys.
B)  Mudflows may be caused by heavy rains or melting snow.
C)  Mudflows deposit talus slopes.
D)  Mudflows can move and carry very large boulders and other coarse debris.

Question 7

Although it was not discussed in chapter 12, what are some preventive measures that can be done to reduce or lessen the impact of mass wasting? (Hint: Think about the controls and triggers of mass wasting.)

Accepted Answer

Do not ove...

Question 8

Of the following, which one would most likely be triggered by an earthquake?

Accepted Answer

A)  soil creep
B)  slump
C)  solifluction
D)  rock avalanche

Question 9

Which one of the following operates primarily in areas of permafrost?

Accepted Answer

A)  soil creep
B)  mudflow
C)  solifluction
D)  rock avalanche

Question 10

During wet weather or times when snow is melting, sometimes the downhill toe of a slump__________ .

Accepted Answer

A)  becomes an earthflow
B)  turns into a rock avalanche
C)  stops moving because water makes the clay sticky
D)  collapses and is deposited as talus at the base of the slope

Question 11

__________is the basic force that moves or accelerates soil and regolith down a slope.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________is the basic force that moves or...

Question 12

Why was the Alaskan pipeline built above ground and insulated?

Accepted Answer

A)  to protect against damage from roots of large trees uprooted in windstorms
B)  to keep the crude oil cool and highly fluid
C)  to protect against damage from herds of elk and deer
D)  to protect the pipeline against damage due to thawing ground and to keep the crude oil hot and fluid

Question 13

Which of the following mass movements is most likely to occur in a geologic setting where the rock strata are inclined?

Accepted Answer

A)  debris flow
B)  rockslide
C)  slump
D)  creep

Question 14

The most rapid type of mass movement is a__________ _ .

Accepted Answer

A)  debris flow
B)  lahar
C)  slump
D)  rock avalanche

Question 15

Which mass wasting process has the slowest rate of movement?

Accepted Answer

A)  creep
B)  solifluction
C)  rock avalanche
D)  slump

Question 16

How do freezing, thawing, wetting, and drying contribute to soil creep?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gravity exerts a much stronger force when the soil is wet and thawed.
B)  The soil expands and contracts, lifting particles and dropping them a slight distance downslope.
C)  Eventually, these cause the soil and regolith to suddenly slide down the slope.
D)  The soil becomes much weaker when dry and frozen.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Water lowers the strength and cohesion.
B)  Water does not affect the cohesion but lowers the strength.
C)  Water reduces the strength of clays but raises the cohesion of the soil.
D)  Water increases the strength and cohesion. A

Question 18

Which of the following locations was affected by mudflows triggered by an earthquake in 2001?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oslo, Norway
B)  Buffalo, New York
C)  Johannesburg, South Africa
D)  Santa Tecia, El Salvador

Question 19

All of the following are possible indicators that creep is occurring EXCEPT for __________.

Accepted Answer

A)  curved tree trunks
B)  cracks in roads or sidewalks
C)  tilted fences or power line poles
D)  an extremely thick soil profile

Question 20

What is another name for volcanic mudflows, like those formed during the Mount St. Helens and Nevado del Ruiz eruptions?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is another name for volcanic mudflows,...

Exam 12: Mass Wasting: the Work of Gravity

As an erosional process, how is mass wasting unique from wind, water, and ice?

Correct Answer
verified

Where do the most rapid mass- wasting events occur?

Correct Answer
verified

Unconsolidated, granular materials such as gravel and sand will support maximum slope angles of about 33 to 35 degrees. What is the name for this maximum slope angle?

Correct Answer
verified
angle of repose

A geologist wants to locate a horizontal coal bed on a soil- covered slope where soil creep is active. A distinctive sandstone bed underlies the coal bed. On the basis of weathered sandstone fragments in the soil, where is the coal bed?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following statements concerning mudflows is NOT true?

Correct Answer
verified

Although it was not discussed in chapter 12, what are some preventive measures that can be done to reduce or lessen the impact of mass wasting? (Hint: Think about the controls and triggers of mass wasting.)

Correct Answer
verified
Do not ove...
View Answer

Of the following, which one would most likely be triggered by an earthquake?

Correct Answer
verified

Which one of the following operates primarily in areas of permafrost?

Correct Answer
verified

During wet weather or times when snow is melting, sometimes the downhill toe of a slump__________ .

Correct Answer
verified

__________is the basic force that moves or accelerates soil and regolith down a slope.

Correct Answer
verified

Why was the Alaskan pipeline built above ground and insulated?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following mass movements is most likely to occur in a geologic setting where the rock strata are inclined?

Correct Answer
verified

The most rapid type of mass movement is a__________ _ .

Correct Answer
verified

Which mass wasting process has the slowest rate of movement?

Correct Answer
verified

How do freezing, thawing, wetting, and drying contribute to soil creep?

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
A

Which of the following locations was affected by mudflows triggered by an earthquake in 2001?

Correct Answer
verified

All of the following are possible indicators that creep is occurring EXCEPT for __________.

Correct Answer
verified

What is another name for volcanic mudflows, like those formed during the Mount St. Helens and Nevado del Ruiz eruptions?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 12: Mass Wasting: the Work of Gravity

As an erosional process, how is mass wasting unique from wind, water, and ice?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Where do the most rapid mass- wasting events occur?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Unconsolidated, granular materials such as gravel and sand will support maximum slope angles of about 33 to 35 degrees. What is the name for this maximum slope angle?

Correct Answerverifiedangle of repose

A geologist wants to locate a horizontal coal bed on a soil- covered slope where soil creep is active. A distinctive sandstone bed underlies the coal bed. On the basis of weathered sandstone fragments in the soil, where is the coal bed?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements concerning mudflows is NOT true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Although it was not discussed in chapter 12, what are some preventive measures that can be done to reduce or lessen the impact of mass wasting? (Hint: Think about the controls and triggers of mass wasting.)

Correct AnswerverifiedDo not ove...View AnswerShow Answer

Of the following, which one would most likely be triggered by an earthquake?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which one of the following operates primarily in areas of permafrost?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During wet weather or times when snow is melting, sometimes the downhill toe of a slump__________ .

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

__________is the basic force that moves or accelerates soil and regolith down a slope.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Why was the Alaskan pipeline built above ground and insulated?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following mass movements is most likely to occur in a geologic setting where the rock strata are inclined?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most rapid type of mass movement is a__________ _ .

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which mass wasting process has the slowest rate of movement?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How do freezing, thawing, wetting, and drying contribute to soil creep?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedA

Which of the following locations was affected by mudflows triggered by an earthquake in 2001?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All of the following are possible indicators that creep is occurring EXCEPT for __________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is another name for volcanic mudflows, like those formed during the Mount St. Helens and Nevado del Ruiz eruptions?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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angle of repose

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verified
Do not ove...
View Answer

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verified

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A

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