Physical Geography
Final Exam Study Guide
Define:
1. Uniformitarianism
2. Geologic time scale
3. Holocene Epoch
4. asthenosphere
5. intrusive igneous rock
6. extrusive igneous rock
7. metamorphic rock
8. subduction
9. sea-floor spreading
10. divergent plate boundary
11. convergent plate boundary
12. transform fault
13. hot spot
14. relief
15. topography
16. terranes
17. continental shield
18. normal fault
19. reverse (compression) fault
20. strike-slip fault
21. orogenesis
22. focus
23. epicenter
24. volcano
25. pyroclastics
26. shield volcanoes
27. composite volcanoes
28. denudation
29. slope
30. karst
31. mass movement
32. scarification
33. geomorphology
34. hydrology
35. fluvial
36. alluvium
37. drainage basin
38. point bar
39. cutbank
40. nickpoint
41. floodplain
42. alluvial terrace
43. flood
44. eolian
45. desertification
46. loess
47. desert pavement
48. dune
49. playa
50. wash (or arroyo)
51. desert alluvial fan
52. differential weathering
53. salinity
54. brine
55. brackish
56. shoreline
57. tsunami
58. tide
59. wave
60. wave-cut terrace
61. groin
62. jetty
63. coral
64. coral reef
65. wetland
66. bogs
67. cypress swamps
68. bottomlands
69. potholes
70. glacier
71. tidal glacier
72. valley glacier
73. cirque glacier
74. ice sheet
75. lahars
76. moraine
77. ice regelation
78. fjord
79. till
80. outwash plain
81. periglacial
82. active layer
83. ice age
84. paleolakes
85. Milankovitch cycle
86. soil
87. soil horizon
88. humus
Short answer:
1. Explain how sedimentary rocks are formed.
2. What are the three crustal orders of relief?
3. What is an oceanic-continental collision? What features on the Earth’s surface have such
collisions created?
4. What is an oceanic-oceanic collision? What features on the Earth’s surface have such
collisions created?
5. What is a continental-continental collision? What features on the Earth’s surface have
such collisions created?
6. What are 2 ways that earthquakes can be forecasted?
7. Where are the 3 areas where volcanoes can be found?
8. What are the differences between effusive and explosive eruptions?
9. Explain why calderas can be dangerous.
10. What is the difference between physical and chemical weathering processes?
11. Name and describe the 4 classes of mass movements.
12. Keeping the US’s 2 continental divides in mind, explain the three major areas of drainage
for the US and the locations of the continental divides.
13. What is an exotic stream? Give 2 examples of exotic streams. What is the major threat to
exotic streams?
14. How does abrasion work in glacial, fluvial, and wind erosion?
15. How do the surfaces in urban areas increase the potential for flooding?
16. Name and describe the 2 principal wind erosion processes.
17. Why aren’t there any sandy beaches along the Louisiana Gulf Coast?
18. Why do areas with extensive loess deposits make good agricultural areas?
19. What are the 3 areas where you find desert climates?
20. Why is the salinity of ocean water higher at 30ºN and 30ºS than it is at the Equator?
21. Name and describe the 5 inputs to a coastal system.
22. What is the difference between an erosional coastline and a depositional coastline?
Where do you find the 2 in North America?
23. What is the purpose of a barrier island? Why shouldn’t you build your house on one?
24. Explain the symbiotic relationship between coral and algae.
25. At what latitude and which side of the ocean basins do you find the most coral reefs?
26. Name and describe the 2 types of coastal marshes.
27. Name and describe the 2 main types of glaciers.
28. Why is it a bad idea to build your house directly on the surface in an area of permafrost?
Why is it a better idea to build your house on stilts?
Illustrations:
1. Illustrate the Rock Cycle. Include the following terms in your illustrations: igneous rock,
metamorphic rock, sedimentary rock, magma, sediment, heat/pressure.
2. Illustrate the formation of crust. Include the following in your illustration: subduction,
convergent plate boundary, divergent plate boundary, oceanic ridge