Catastrophic Events
Rivers
Edwards Plateau
Watersheds
WED
100
Name two Catastrophic Events that are man made.
Wildfires (that are caused by humans) Oil Spills
100
Which river flows the fastest....a young river, mature river, or old river and why?
Young river because it has less meanders.
100
What is an aquifer?
An underground water source.
100
What is a watershed? Can watersheds fit into each other? (is your backyard an example of a watershed?)
An area of land which all runoff drains to the same river, lake, or other body of water. YES.
100
What is mechanical weathering and list an example. What is chemical weathering and list an example.
Mechanical weathering - the physical breakdown of rocks. example: wind erosion Chemical weathering - the breakdown of rocks by undergoing chemical reactions to dissolve minerals in rocks. example: rust
200
Which Catastrophic Event can be either man-made or naturally occuring?
Wildfires
200
Where do rivers erode more....the inside of a meander or the outside of a meander and why?
The outside of the meander because the river is fastest at the outside of the meander causing more erosion.
200
Karst, which is made up of limestone, dolomite, and gypsum can dissolve leaving behind _____________.
caves
200
Which watershed do we live in?
San Jacinto River Watershed
200
Whenever soil is being eroded the best prevention is to ___________________________.
plant vegetation
300
Which storm covers more land area.....a tornado or a hurricane?
hurricane
300
What is deposition? Where does deposition occur in a river....the inside bend of a meander or the outside bend of the meander and why?
Deposition is the dropping of sediment. Deposition occurs on the inside bend of the meander because the river travels slower here and thus will drop the sediment it is carrying.
300
When limestone, dolomite, and gypsum can dissolve by acidic solutions....is this chemical or mechanical weathering?
Chemical Weathering
300
How does The Woodlands get its drinking water?
underground aquifers right now.....groundwater at your house!
300
What is a barrier island? What is the barrier island's function?
A barrier island is a long island that runs parallel to the shore of a large land mass. The function is to prevent erosion of the mainland.
400
Which catastrophic event requires a fuel source to keep it moving?
Wildfire
400
What is a delta?
Deltas form when rivers empty into a larger body of water. They lose their energy and drop the sediment load.
400
List four things that can cause water pollution. Can water pollution get into an aquifer?
pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers Yes.
400
These can be caused by intense thunderstorm downpours or the failure of a dam or levee.
flash flood
400
List four main causes of erosion. What is the purpose of shelter belts?
wind, water, gravity, glaciers Shelter belts are used to keep soil from eroding as much.
500
Explain how flooding can impact the Earth's surface.
Can damage ecosystems (animals & vegetation)
500
List a different fact about each of the river stages: Young River- Mature River- Old River-
Young River- may have white water rapids and waterfalls Mature River- Erodes more on sides than the bottom, has curves called "meanders" Old River- Is the slowest of all the rivers, has a broad flat floodplain.
500
What is the percentage of freshwater on Earth scientists estimate is groundwater? How is an aquifer replenished?
80% rivers, streams, lakes, rainwater
500
List 3 ways a drought can impact a watershed.
1. reduce soil moisture (plant stress) 2. groundwater depletion 3. water quality problems
500
Describe the difference between permeable and impermeable. Give 2 examples of each one. Why is too much sediment in a stream or river bad?
Permeable- water can go through Impermeable- water cannot go through Sediment can clog fish gills and can block sunlight from reaching aquatic plants.
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