CALIFORNIA GEOGRAPHY
EXAM 1 ESSAY QUESTIONS
Vicki Drake
Earth Science Department
Santa Monica College
Select two (2) questions and answer them completely in essay form, using a typewriter, word
processor, MS Word or Wordperfect. No handwritten assignments will be accepted.
Papers are to be two-three-pages in length, double-spaced, properly indented, with 1-inch
margins. Essays will be graded on depth and quality of content, style, grammar, punctuation,
and spelling, as well as sentence structure and paragraph form. A bibliography or
reference page is required.
1.
List and describe California’s unique geographic perspective in terms of its situation
on the North American continent. Include in your essay a discussion on California’s
initial isolation from the rest of the United States, its ‘westerly’ look across the
Pacific Ocean (including international trade ties with Asia), and how size and shape
have helped define California.
2. Describe the geologic history of California. Include in your essay a discussion on
subduction zones, spreading zones, accretion zones and the initial formation of the
Coastal Ranges, the Great Central Valley, the Sierra Nevadas, and the Basin and
Range Province. Your discussion should also include a description of the development
of the San Andreas Fault zone in California and its past, present and long-term
impact on California’s physical and cultural landscape.
3. List and describe the geomorphic/geographic landform provinces within California.
Your essay should include a discussion regarding the physical and cultural landscapes
within each province, as well as a description of the types of natural resources
(minerals, vegetation, water, etc.) each province contains. Economic, as well as
cultural, values for the resources should also be part of essay.
4. List and describe the various geologic hazards facing California. Include in your
essay a complete discussion regarding the nature of the hazards, the potential for
each type of occurrence, the physical extent of consequences of the hazard within
the state, as well as the location of occurrence. Any potential economic losses
(including loss of human life, environmental damages, commercial damages, and so
forth) should also be included in this essay.