30 Questions
Who first proposed the idea of continental drift?
Alfred Wegener
What was the name of the supercontinent suggested by Alfred Wegener?
Pangaea
What does the theory of plate tectonics explain?
The movement of Earth's lithospheric plates
What are the three well-defined phases of geological work by a river?
Erosion, transport, and deposition
What are the two main types of tectonic plates?
Oceanic Plates and Continental Plates
Which natural agents are involved in the erosion of rocks and soil materials?
Mechanical, chemical, and other physicochemical processes
What is the composition of oceanic plates?
Composed mostly of magnesium and silicon minerals
What are the most powerful subaerial agents of erosion?
Streams and rivers
What is the composition of continental plates?
Composed mainly of aluminum and silicon materials
How are valleys defined in relation to rivers?
Low land surrounded by inclined hill slopes and mountains
What are waterfalls and how are they formed?
Magnificent jumps made by the stream or river water at specific parts of their course with a sudden drop in gradient
What are some other subaerial agents of erosion mentioned in the text?
Wind and ice
What is the water table?
The upper surface of the zone of saturation.
What is the vadose zone?
Subsurface zone where rock openings are generally unsaturated and filled partly with air and partly with water, above the saturated zone.
What is the capillary fringe?
A transition zone with higher moisture content at the base of the vadose zone just above the water table.
What is a perch water table?
The top of a body of groundwater separated from the main water table beneath it by a zone that is not saturated.
How does groundwater move through rocks underground?
Relatively slowly, in response to differences in water pressure and elevation.
What is an aquifer?
A water-bearing porous soil or rock strata that yield significant water to wells or through which water can move easily.
Why is knowledge of subsurface geology important for foundation design?
It is vital for designing foundations that can support the loads of structures based on soil types, bearing capacity, and settlement issues.
Why is it important for civil engineers to comprehend the surveying and investigation process of a site?
The success of a project depends on having this knowledge while offering civil engineering consultation.
How does geology help in site selection and land use planning for infrastructure projects?
Geology helps in identifying suitable locations by considering factors like soil stability, groundwater conditions, and geological hazards.
What are the five steps involved in the surveying and investigation process of a site?
Gathering preliminary information, completing a detailed geological survey, compiling survey data to form hypotheses, completing drilling and boring projects, performing tests on rocks and soil
What role do geologists play in slope stability and landslide analysis?
Geologists assess slope stability to prevent landslides and ensure infrastructure safety on hilly terrain.
Why is it mentioned that a single civil engineer cannot complete all surveying work on their own for every project?
Surveying and investigating a site involve complex processes and tasks that require a team effort.
What is an Aquiclude?
An aquiclude is any water-bearing soil or rock that is effectively impermeable, not allowing easy flow of water.
Define Aquitard.
An aquitard is a formation that allows seepage and yields water, but less compared to an aquifer. It is partly permeable.
What is an Aquifuge?
An aquifuge is an impermeable formation that does not allow storage or movement of water.
What characterizes a Confined Aquifer?
A Confined Aquifer is filled with pressurized water and separated from the land surface by an impermeable bed.
What is a Leaky Aquifer?
A Leaky Aquifer, also known as semi-confined aquifers, have both upper and lower boundaries as aquitards or one boundary as an aquitard and the other as an aquiclude.
How does an Aquitard differ from an Aquiclude?
An Aquitard is a formation with some permeability, allowing seepage, while an Aquiclude is effectively impermeable.
Learn about the different zones within the subsurface where water is present, such as the saturated zone, water table, vadose zone, capillary fringe, and perch water table.
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