Earth Science Quiz on Atmospheric and Ocean Processes

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Questions and Answers

What process is primarily responsible for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the short-term cycle?

Photosynthesis (correct)

Fossil fuel combustion

Decay

Respiration

Which of the following best describes the Coriolis Effect?

Deflects moving air right in the Northern Hemisphere (correct)

Deflects moving air right in the Southern Hemisphere

Deflects moving air left in the Northern Hemisphere

Deflects winds due to temperature changes

What characterizes a passive continental margin?

Broad shelf with significant tectonic activity

Narrow shelf with low sediment accumulation

Broad shelf with no tectonic activity (correct)

Narrow shelf with high tectonic activity

What is the primary cause of upwelling in ocean regions?

Strong trade winds pushing surface waters away Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes biogenous sediments from lithogenous sediments?

Biogenous sediments are organic material, while lithogenous are eroded rock Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the troposphere in terms of temperature as altitude increases?

Temperature decreases with altitude Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes confined aquifers?

They are surrounded by impermeable rock Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the accumulation zone of a glacier?

It is the area with the highest elevation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between porosity and permeability in relation to rock?

Porosity is the total volume of rock, while permeability measures fluid movement ease Signup and view all the answers

Where is the point of highest stream velocity typically found in a meander?

At the outer edge of the meander Signup and view all the answers

Which process contributes to the internal flow of a glacier?

Deformation of the ice crystal structure. Signup and view all the answers

What are moraines?

Deposits of till with various forms. Signup and view all the answers

What type of aquifer is specifically described as having high hydrostatic pressure allowing free-flowing water?

Artesian aquifer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main force that causes glaciers to move?

Gravity pulling them downhill. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glacier is known for covering large areas of the land surface?

Ice sheets. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes ephemeral streams from perennial streams?

Ephemeral streams only exist during floods. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's fresh water is held in polar ice sheets?

74% Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by glacial drift?

Sediment deposited by glacial erosion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the oceans in the carbon dioxide cycle?

They act as a carbon sink, absorbing atmospheric CO2. Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the vertical movement of air due to temperature differences?

Convection Signup and view all the answers

What type of glacier is commonly found in mountain regions?

Valley glacier Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the zone where a glacier gains mass?

Accumulation zone Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the Earth's water is freshwater?

3% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes confined aquifers from unconfined aquifers?

Confined aquifers are trapped by impermeable layers. Signup and view all the answers

Which atmospheric layer is known for containing the ozone layer?

Stratosphere Signup and view all the answers

What type of landform is created by the deposition of sediments by glaciers?

Esker Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the stratosphere regarding temperature changes?

Temperature increases with altitude Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the atmosphere contains the majority of the ozone?

Stratosphere Signup and view all the answers

What happens to meteors in the mesosphere?

They burn up Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of wind movement in the atmosphere?

Temperature differences Signup and view all the answers

How does the albedo of Earth's surface vary with location?

Higher at the poles due to ice cover Signup and view all the answers

Which atmospheric layer has the least amount of atmospheric gases?

Thermosphere Signup and view all the answers

What are the major processes of heat transfer in the atmosphere?

Convection, conduction, and radiation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the seasonal variation in ozone concentration?

Increased temperature at the poles Signup and view all the answers

What role do oceans play in the carbon dioxide cycle?

They absorb atmospheric CO2 and help regulate its concentrations. Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of a glacier is characterized by net mass gain?

Accumulation zone Signup and view all the answers

What is glacial till?

Unsourced glacial drift deposited directly from melting ice. Signup and view all the answers

What facilitates basal sliding in glacier movement?

Reduction of friction due to meltwater. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of glacier covers large land areas, such as Greenland and Antarctica?

Continental glaciers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of ephemeral streams?

They flow intermittently, often after rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a glacier is where mass gain equals mass loss?

Equilibrium line Signup and view all the answers

Where is the largest reservoir of unfrozen freshwater located?

In groundwater Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Glaciers

Glaciers are permanent bodies of ice, formed from recrystallized snow. They move downslope due to their weight
Parts of a glacier:
- Accumulation Zone: Highest part, snow accumulation leads to net mass gain.
- Ablation Zone: Lower part, melting exceeds accumulation, resulting in net mass loss.
- Equilibrium Line: Boundary between accumulation and ablation zones, mass gain equals mass loss.
Glacial Movement:
- Internal Flow (Creep): Ice deforms under stress, creating crevasses.
- Basal Sliding: Meltwater reduces friction, facilitating glacier movement.
Glacial Erosion and Deposits:
- Glacial Drift: All sediment moved and deposited by glaciers.
- Till: Unsorted glacial drift, deposited directly from ice.
- Moraines: Till deposits, categorized by location (lateral, medial, terminal).
Types of Glaciers:
- Continental Glaciers (Ice Sheets): Large ice sheets covering land (e.g., Greenland, Antarctica).
- Mountain Glaciers (Alpine, Cirque, Valley): Various types found in mountainous regions.

Hydrologic Cycle

Water Distribution:
- Oceans contain over 97.5% of Earth's water (mostly saline).
- Polar ice sheets hold about 74% of Earth's freshwater (frozen).
- Groundwater is the largest reservoir of unfrozen freshwater.
Streams:
- Ephemeral Streams: Flow only after rainfall/floods, no base flow.
- Perennial Streams: Flow year-round, sustained by base flow.
- Stream Flow: Consists of storm flow (runoff) and base flow (groundwater).
Stream Load Types:
- Bedload: Largest material dragged along the bottom.
- Suspended Load: Finer materials carried within the water.
- Dissolved Load: Ions from rock and organic matter.
Particle Movement: Influenced by particle size, stream velocity, and density.

Porosity and Permeability

Porosity: Percentage of a rock's volume that is open space.
Permeability: Ease of fluid flow through a rock.
Both factors determine how much water a material can hold and how easily water moves.

Aquifer Systems

Unconfined Aquifers: Directly connected to the surface, with a water table.
Confined Aquifers: Bounded above and below by impermeable layers (aquicludes).
Artesian Aquifers: Confined aquifers with high pressure, allowing water to rise in wells.

Atmospheric Layers

Troposphere: Lowest layer, where weather occurs. Temperature decreases with altitude.
Stratosphere: Above troposphere, temperature increases with height due to ozone absorbing UV radiation. Ozone Layer is located here.
Mesosphere: Temperature decreases with height. Meteors often burn up in this layer.
Thermosphere: Temperature increases with altitude due to absorption of high energy solar radiation.
Atmospheric Processes:
- Temperature Changes: Generally decrease with altitude in the troposphere but increase in the stratosphere, leading to distinct layers. 
- Ozone Layer: Absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, vital for life on Earth. 
- Pressure and Wind: Driven by pressure differences, influenced by temperature differences, Earth's rotation (Coriolis effect). 
- Albedo: The reflectivity of Earth's surface, affects how much solar radiation is absorbed (higher at poles due to ice).
- Heat Transfer: Convection, Conduction, Radiation.

Heat Transfer

Convection: Vertical movement of air due to temperature differences.
Conduction: Direct transfer of heat between molecules.
Radiation: Transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves.
Affects the amount of solar radiation absorbed by Earth's surface.

Oceans

Key Features: Continental margins (passive vs. active), abyssal plains, trenches, mid-ocean ridges.
Sediments: Lithogenous, biogenous, hydrogenous.
Circulation: Surface currents, driven by winds and influenced by Coriolis effect. Thermohaline circulation (global conveyor belt).
Upwelling: Nutrient-rich water rises to the surface.
El Niño and La Niña: Affect trade winds and upwelling patterns in the Pacific Ocean.

Atmosphere Key Processes

Solar radiation: Shortwave vs. Longwave
Albedo: Reflectivity of surfaces, ice has high albedo
Heat transfer: Includes Conduction, Convection and Radiation (transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves)
Pressure and wind: Coriolis effect; Influence on weather patterns.
Jet streams: High-speed air currents, influence weather patterns
Key Atmospheric Processes:
- Albedo: Reflectivity of surfaces (e.g., ice has high albedo and reflects more solar energy)..

Carbon Dioxide Cycle

CO2 is a greenhouse gas.
Oceans play a significant role in absorbing atmospheric CO2.
CO2 is incorporated into marine organisms and carbonate shells.

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Description

Test your knowledge on critical Earth science concepts, including the processes responsible for removing carbon dioxide, the characteristics of different sediment types, and the dynamics of glaciers and aquifers. This quiz covers various fundamental aspects of atmospheric and oceanic sciences.