Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

LARE SECTION 2 - DECEMBER > Topography, Geology, Hydrology, Climate, Microclimate > Flashcards

Topography, Geology, Hydrology, Climate, Microclimate Flashcards

1
Q

(4) Key attributes that may be derived from a topo survey / map

A

Elevation
Slope
Aspect
Drainage patterns

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

This feature of topography has greatest impact on site insolation; will also influence microclimate

A

Aspect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Part of every watershed; dry or semi-dry land area where water collects when it rains; typically found near rivers, lakes, coasts and depressions; provides temporary natural storage of runoff; serves as aquifer recharge; provides important natural habitats for animals and plants

A

Floodplains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

On clear winter nights, air cools off and condenses, flowing downhill. Frost pockets may be created wherever the air is blocked as it flows downhill. These locations freeze first. Building siting: location buildings so that air drains away and early morning sun will warm sooner

A wind that blows from a higher elevation to a lower elevation

A

Air Drainage / Drainage wind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Sedimentation of stream channels

A

Aggradation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The study of the physical features of the earth’s surface

A

Physiography

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Global-scale climate classification system. Its categories are based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation.

A

Koppen Climate Classification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Slope Aspect and Microclimates

A

Western slopes are hottest in summer
Southern slopes receive the most sun in winter months
Southeastern slopes offer the most desirable microclimates
Northwestern slopes receive cold winter winds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Q = CIA

A

The “rational method equation,” used to determine the rate of runoff.
Q = peak discharge in cubic feet per second
C = the rational method runoff coefficient
I = rainfall intensity measured in inches per hour
A = drainage area measured in acres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

A landscape underlain by limestone which has been eroded by dissolution, producing ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes and other characteristic landforms.

A

Karst

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The area between the high and low tide lines along coasts, estuaries, and bays; generally subject to wave action and periodic inundation

A

Littoral Zone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

A type of geomorphic process; movement by gravitational forces

A

Mass Wasting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

A mass of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by a glacier, typically as ridges at its edges or extremity.

A

Moraine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

A summary report of the exploration of the subsurface soils and how they are to be used as a construction material; generally concerned with construction characteristics, as opposed to a soil test report, which is concerned with planting;

A

Geotechnical Report

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Processes that make or alter landforms

A

Geomorphic Processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

A type of igneous rock that cooled quickly when brought to the surface by volcanic eruption; tend to have FINE GRAINS; (ex: basalt & gabbro)

A

Extrusive Rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Rock type transformed from other rock materials in response to pressure or temperature; classified based on composition and texture (foliated, non-foliated)

A

Metamorphic Rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

A confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure. Water is trapped, surrounded by layers of impermeable rock or clay which apply positive pressure to the water contained within the aquifer. If a well were to be sunk into this aquifer type, water in the well-pipe would rise to a height corresponding to the point where hydrostatic equilibrium is reached.

A

Artesian Well

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Rock type formed by sedimentation of material at the earth’s surface and within bodies of water; classified based on depositional mode (mechanical or chemical)

A

Sedimentary Rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

A type of geomorphic process; erosion, transportation, and deposition by wind

A

Eolian Process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Wave Action; movement of sand along a coastline due to wave and tidal action

A

Littoral drift

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

A type of geomorphic process; erosion, transportation, and sedimentation from rivers and streams

A

Fluvial Process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

A type of igneous rock that cooled slowly within the earth; COARSE GRAINS easily seen with the naked eye (ex. granite, rhyolite)

A

Intrusive Rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Rock type formed by the cooling of liquid magma; cooling rates affect composition and grain size; two sub-categories: extrusive and intrusive

A

Igneous Rock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

A body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater.

A

Aquifer

26
Q

Types of Erosion Caused by Water (4)

A

1) Splash erosion 2) Sheet erosion 3) Rill and gully erosion 4) Stream and channel erosion

27
Q

Factors Influencing Soil Erosion (4)

A

1) Soil characteristics 2) Slope length and gradient 3) Erosive forces present (wind, rainfall, solar) 4) Vegetative cover

28
Q

Soil Erodibility Affected By (8)

A

1) Average particle size 2) Gradation 3) Organic content (%) 4) Texture 5) Infiltration rates and permeability (i.e. sand = greater infiltration = less runoff than clay) 6) Vegetative cover 7) Topography 8) Climate

29
Q

A type of landform; A steep slope or cliff that results from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations

A

Escarpment

30
Q

A type of landform: A low point or ridge between two summits

A

Saddle

31
Q

Elements of topographic analysis (4)

A

1) Elevations 2) Aspect 3) Topographic and Slope Issues Impacting Land Use Planning and Constructions 4) Assessing Slope Instability

32
Q

The branch of science concerned with the properties of the earth’s water, and especially its movement in relation to land

A

Hydrology

33
Q

Elements of hydrologic inventory (6)

A

1) Drainage basins 2) Stream and wetland locations 3) Flow volumes 4) Floodplains 5) Lake levels and tides 6) Storm drain systems

34
Q

Describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth Under normal conditions 50% of rainfall becomes groundwater and contributes to aquifer recharge, 10% evaporates, 30% is transpired by plants, and only 10% is runoff, directed to surface and streams (urbanization alters these percentages)

A

Hydrologic Cycle

35
Q

Factors Influencing Watershed Response in Storm Event (5)

A

1) Topography (size of watershed and relative slopes) 2) Vegetation type and maturity 3) Soil type and depth of bedrock 4) % impervious / pervious surface 5) Change of surface type from previous to impervious (forest to lawn; lawn to asphalt)

36
Q

Water moving within water table, via gravity, through the soil; supplies perennial streams

A

Baseflow

37
Q

Stream Characteristics Upstream (3)

A

1) Steeper gradients 2) Channels tend to be rockier 3) Streams are more likely to erode their channels and “jump”

38
Q

Stream Characteristics Downstream (4)

A

1) Deeper, wider, more sinuous 2) Channel gradient flattens 3) Substrate is finer 4) Sedimentation, not erosion, is the prevailing geomorphological process, contributing to land building where streams meet large water bodies

39
Q

The Impact of Urbanization on Stream Dynamics (7)

A

1) Peak flows increases 2) Runoff volume increases 3) Baseflow levels decline 4) Time to peak flow decreases 5) Channel erosion increases 6) Flood frequency and high water level increases 7) Channel flow becomes more erratic

40
Q

Principles of Stormwater Management (3)

A

1) Slow down water 2) Improve infiltration and percolation 3) Provide storage capacity to allow runoff to infiltrate at a slower rate

41
Q

Stormwater Management In Practice (5)

A

1) Direct surface runoff to groundwater recharge areas 2) Detention measures (peak flow) 3) Retention measures (infiltration) 4) Biotechnical stream restoration (replanting as opposed to hard infrastructure) 5) Habitat restoration / enhancement in riparian systems and wetlands

42
Q

The angle formed between the sun and the earth’s surface

A

Sun Angle

43
Q

The angle formed between the sun and the earth’s surface; takes local topography into account

A

Ground-sun Angle

44
Q

The density of light hitting the surface; amount of radiation per unit area (affected by atmospheric interference)

A

Incidence / Insolation

45
Q

The angle between the sun’s rays and an imaginary line perpendicular to the collector’s surface; an angle of 0 means the sun’s rays are perpendicular to the collector surface = maximum solar gain achieved

A

Solar Incidence Angle

46
Q

Solar energy absorbed by a surface

A

Solar Heating / Solar Gain

47
Q

Orientation towards solar radiation; measured in N,S,E,W, and sub-increments; combined with slope data

A

Aspect of Slope

48
Q

The ratio of total-reflected to incident radiation. It is a unitless measure indicative of a surface’s diffuse reflectivity. Expressed between 0-1. 0=100% absorbed (“low”; heat gain is high) 1=100% reflected (“high”; heat gain is low)

A

Albedo

49
Q

Modern measure of a surface’s ability to reject solar heat; combines surface reflectivity and the material’s ability to shed heat / radiate / emittance; Used by both LEED and SITES to mitigate urban heat island effect high value = cooler low value = warmer 29 = min value for hardscape and roofing required as per LEED / SITES

A

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)

50
Q

Strategies for Ameliorating Urban Heat Island (4)

A

1) Roof: Light colors, solar panels, green roofs 2) Light colored paving materials 3) Shade hardscape and buildings 4) Surface water features

51
Q

The study of processes and patterns in the natural environment

A

Physiography

52
Q

Geographical areas within which climate, hydrology, plant communities, and wildlife populations are characteristic of the area. To a lesser extent, topography, geology, and soils and help distinguish them. 4 Levels: #1 = general, #4 = detailed Bailey Map (1976) Omernick Map (1982)

A

Ecoregions

53
Q

Elements of microclimate Inventory (5)

A

1) Solar Radiation 2) Surface temperatures 3) Vegetation changes 4) Ventilation 5) Fog and frost frequency and location

54
Q

Factors that influence vulnerability to fire (7)

A

1) Development % 2) Fuel load (type and condition of veg. cover) 3) Slope 4) Aspect 5) Access to responders 6) Proximity to assets at risk 7) History of fire

55
Q

Types of landslides (5)

A

1) Falls (rocks) 2) Rock slump 3) Lateral spread (sheet-like) 4) Debris flow (material moves as liquid) 5) Soil Creep (slow, imperceptible)

56
Q

Factors that contribute to landslide vulnerability (7)

A

1) Accelerated erosion 2) Undercutting (streams, road cuts) 3) Added weight 4) Uplift / tild (tectonic change) 5) Mechanical cut and fill 6) Deforestation 7) Improper construction siting

57
Q

Loose, unconsolidated sediments that have been deposited at the base of hillslopes by either rainwash, sheetwash, slow continuous downslope creep, or a variable combination of these processes. Indicator of landslide vulnerability

A

Colluvium / Colluvial Soils

58
Q

Landslide Prevention / Correction Measures

A

1) Excavation (remove unstable material, flatten slopes, bench slopes, lightweight fill)

2) Drainage

3) Restraining structures

4) Vegetation

59
Q

Elements of physiographic inventory (4)

A

1) Region 2) Elevations 3) Slopes 4) Lithology (study of rocks)

60
Q

The maximum rate of discharge during the period of runoff caused in a storm

A

Peak Flow

61
Q

channel a river / stream / Water body and the immediately adjacent land that must remain free from obstruction so that a 100 y flood can be conveyed downstream

A

Floodway

62
Q

The remaining portion of the floodplain outside of the food fringe; permitted to be developed by FEMA and state regulators given that certain standards are met (elevation, flood proofing, etc)

A

Flood Fringe

LARE SECTION 2 - DECEMBER (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions