GEOL 1121 SPRING FINAL EXAM
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Rotational Failure - Answer- When rotational failure occurs, the failed surface will begin
to move outwards and downwards. This occurs when rotation by a slip surface causes
the slope surface to curve.
Translational Failure - Answer- When a slope contains no definite boundaries and the
soil beneath the free surface is believed to have the same properties and identical
depths as the slope, it is named an infinite slope.
Compound Failure - Answer- As the combination suggests, failure occurs when the slip
surface curves at both ends but has a level or flat central point.
Wedge Failure - Answer- Occurs on a plane that is inclined. For example, this failure
can happen when the soil contains weak layers or joints that are created as the slope is
constructed from two different, non-compatible materials.
What are the segments of a river system? - Answer- The segment unit is a section of
the river system that is located within a valley of sufficiently uniform gradient and width,
so that the river is confined by its valley to a similar degree and has similar energy
through the segment.
What do each general type of drainage pattern indicate? - Answer- They show erosion
over time that reveals characteristics of the kind of rocks and geologic structures in a
landscape region drained by streams.
What is the relationship of velocity to discharge? - Answer- Velocity affects capacity
through discharge, since the greater the volume of water in a stream is, the greater its
capacity is for carrying sediment.
How will a river respond to a rise or fall in base level? - Answer- When base levels are
stable or rising rivers may aggrade or rise. Rising base levels may also drown the lower
courses of rivers creating rias.
What is eustatic change? - Answer- When the sea level itself rises or falls
What happens as depth shallows? - Answer- Most quakes occur at shallow depths
STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Rotational Failure - Answer- When rotational failure occurs, the failed surface will begin
to move outwards and downwards. This occurs when rotation by a slip surface causes
the slope surface to curve.
Translational Failure - Answer- When a slope contains no definite boundaries and the
soil beneath the free surface is believed to have the same properties and identical
depths as the slope, it is named an infinite slope.
Compound Failure - Answer- As the combination suggests, failure occurs when the slip
surface curves at both ends but has a level or flat central point.
Wedge Failure - Answer- Occurs on a plane that is inclined. For example, this failure
can happen when the soil contains weak layers or joints that are created as the slope is
constructed from two different, non-compatible materials.
What are the segments of a river system? - Answer- The segment unit is a section of
the river system that is located within a valley of sufficiently uniform gradient and width,
so that the river is confined by its valley to a similar degree and has similar energy
through the segment.
What do each general type of drainage pattern indicate? - Answer- They show erosion
over time that reveals characteristics of the kind of rocks and geologic structures in a
landscape region drained by streams.
What is the relationship of velocity to discharge? - Answer- Velocity affects capacity
through discharge, since the greater the volume of water in a stream is, the greater its
capacity is for carrying sediment.
How will a river respond to a rise or fall in base level? - Answer- When base levels are
stable or rising rivers may aggrade or rise. Rising base levels may also drown the lower
courses of rivers creating rias.
What is eustatic change? - Answer- When the sea level itself rises or falls
What happens as depth shallows? - Answer- Most quakes occur at shallow depths
