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9.4: Activity 9C- Surface Water on Earth

  • Page ID
    14824
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    The exercises that follow use the browser version of Google Earth. For each question (or set of questions) paste the location that is given into the “Search” box. Examine each location at multiple eye altitudes and differing amounts of tilt. For any measurements access the ruler via the icon in the toolbar.

    1. Search for 39°35'42.5"N 121°59'23.3"W, and zoom out to an eye altitude (Camera) of 24,500 feet. How would one describe the adjacent river?

    a. Straight

    b. Meandering

    c. Low sinuosity

    d. Braided

    2. In this type of stream, where does erosion occur?

    a. Why?

    3. In this type of stream, where does deposition occur?

    a. Why?

    4. Search for 36°12'30.3"N 116°54'18.0"W and zoom out to an eye altitude (camera) of ~30,000 feet. How would one describe these rivers?

    a. Straight

    b. Meandering

    c. Low sinuosity

    d. Braided

    5. What factors control the course of this river?

    a. Steep gradient and high discharge

    b. Low gradient and low discharge

    c. Low gradient and abundant sediment supply

    d. Steep gradient and low sediment supply

    6. Search for 38°01'12.2"N 121°43'20.0"W and zoom out to an eye altitude of 30,000 feet. The river in this area has a rather interesting pattern, what appeared to happen here?

    a. a meander eroded through its bank and created an oxbow lake

    b. the river is in a karst terrain and disappeared into the ground

    c. the river is following patterns, likely faults, in the underlying bedrock

    d. during a flood, the river breached the natural levee flowing into the floodplain

    7. Search for 41 24 30.77N 122 11 46.23W and zoom to an eye altitude of 20 miles. What type of drainage pattern is present in this area?

    a. Trellis

    b. Dendritic

    c. Rectangular

    d. Radial

    e. Deranged

    8. What does this type of drainage pattern indicate about the area?

    a. rocks in the area are homogeneous and/or flat lying

    b. rocks in the area are alternating resistant and non-resistant, forming parallel ridges and valleys

    c. stream channels radiate outward like wheel spokes from a high point

    d. stream channels flow randomly with no relation to underlying rocks or structure


    This page titled 9.4: Activity 9C- Surface Water on Earth is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Chloe Branciforte & Emily Haddad (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative) .

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