GEOG 552 - Midterm Exam Questions and Answers Fully Solved Latest Update 2025-2026
This extensive, level region has been a shallow sea on several occasions in the past. Down-
warped for millions of years, it holds thousands of feet of sediment. Parts of this region are still
prone to flooding in the Spring. - Answers Central Valley
This volcanic chain stretches from British Columbia into northern California and reflects
subduction of the Juan de Fuca. - Answers Cascades
Broad, flat basaltic lava flows dominate this landscape, with occasional small volcanic cones. In
the early 1870s, it was the site of lengthy battles between the US Cavalry and members of a
Native California tribe. - Answers Modoc Plateau
This "high desert" includes numerous old, weathered mountain ranges flanked by extensive
alluvial fans and bajadas. Joshua trees are common, although they're giving way to Inland
Empire suburban developments. - Answers Mojave Desert
Fault-block mountains parallel deep, long valleys here; alkaline lakes (playas) are also
characteristic in this landscape that extends eastward across Nevada. In Nevada, the region is
host to Burning Man. - Answers Basin and Range
A series of parallel faults have lifted this granite range steeply on the east; the western slope is
much gentler. Several peaks exceed 14,000' in height. - Answers Sierra Nevada
This "low desert" is dominated by scrub, creosote and cacti. Low elevations reflect tectonic
stretching of the earth's crust at the north end of a rift zone. If you've gone to Coachella, you've
visited this landform province. - Answers Colorado Desert
These rugged ranges trend west-to-east due to a bend in the San Andreas fault system. They
are famous for summer wildfires and winter landslide - Answers Transverse Ranges
These ridges and valleys parallel the San Andreas fault. Ridges tend to be higher in the north
than in the south. A large bay/estuary system interrupts the ridges. - Answers Coast Range
These steep, heavily forested mountains have been glaciated at high elevations. Fed by the
region's high rainfall, some of the state's biggest rivers have cut steep canyons in this region. -
Answers Klamath Mountains
Which of the following correctly pairs the most NORTHERN and most SOUTHERN counties on
the California coast? - Answers Del Norte and San Diego
Which of the following counties is NOT located in the San Joaquin Valley?
a. Tulare
b. San Joaquin
, c. Sutter
d. Stanislaus
e. Kings - Answers Sutter
Which of the following counties is NOT located in the Sacramento Valley? - Answers Fresno
Which county is NOT located on the California coast?
a. Santa Cruz
b. San Luis Obispo
c. San Bernardino
d. San Mateo
e. Mendocino - Answers San Bernardino
Which of the following are Trans-Sierra counties (they lie mostly to the EAST of the Sierra crest?)
- Answers Mono and Inyo
The following counties are all in the Inland Empire/Colorado Desert: San Bernardino, Riverside &
Imperial. - Answers True
In which county is California's capital city located? - Answers Sacramento
Which of the following counties is located in the Sierra/Mother Lode region? - Answers
Tuolumne
Del Norte, Siskiyou & Modoc counties all share a border with the State of Oregon. - Answers
True
Which of the following counties DOES NOT share its name with a city?
a. San Luis Obispo
b. San Francisco
c. Lassen
d. Monterey
e. Fresno
f. San Diego
g. Riverside
This extensive, level region has been a shallow sea on several occasions in the past. Down-
warped for millions of years, it holds thousands of feet of sediment. Parts of this region are still
prone to flooding in the Spring. - Answers Central Valley
This volcanic chain stretches from British Columbia into northern California and reflects
subduction of the Juan de Fuca. - Answers Cascades
Broad, flat basaltic lava flows dominate this landscape, with occasional small volcanic cones. In
the early 1870s, it was the site of lengthy battles between the US Cavalry and members of a
Native California tribe. - Answers Modoc Plateau
This "high desert" includes numerous old, weathered mountain ranges flanked by extensive
alluvial fans and bajadas. Joshua trees are common, although they're giving way to Inland
Empire suburban developments. - Answers Mojave Desert
Fault-block mountains parallel deep, long valleys here; alkaline lakes (playas) are also
characteristic in this landscape that extends eastward across Nevada. In Nevada, the region is
host to Burning Man. - Answers Basin and Range
A series of parallel faults have lifted this granite range steeply on the east; the western slope is
much gentler. Several peaks exceed 14,000' in height. - Answers Sierra Nevada
This "low desert" is dominated by scrub, creosote and cacti. Low elevations reflect tectonic
stretching of the earth's crust at the north end of a rift zone. If you've gone to Coachella, you've
visited this landform province. - Answers Colorado Desert
These rugged ranges trend west-to-east due to a bend in the San Andreas fault system. They
are famous for summer wildfires and winter landslide - Answers Transverse Ranges
These ridges and valleys parallel the San Andreas fault. Ridges tend to be higher in the north
than in the south. A large bay/estuary system interrupts the ridges. - Answers Coast Range
These steep, heavily forested mountains have been glaciated at high elevations. Fed by the
region's high rainfall, some of the state's biggest rivers have cut steep canyons in this region. -
Answers Klamath Mountains
Which of the following correctly pairs the most NORTHERN and most SOUTHERN counties on
the California coast? - Answers Del Norte and San Diego
Which of the following counties is NOT located in the San Joaquin Valley?
a. Tulare
b. San Joaquin
, c. Sutter
d. Stanislaus
e. Kings - Answers Sutter
Which of the following counties is NOT located in the Sacramento Valley? - Answers Fresno
Which county is NOT located on the California coast?
a. Santa Cruz
b. San Luis Obispo
c. San Bernardino
d. San Mateo
e. Mendocino - Answers San Bernardino
Which of the following are Trans-Sierra counties (they lie mostly to the EAST of the Sierra crest?)
- Answers Mono and Inyo
The following counties are all in the Inland Empire/Colorado Desert: San Bernardino, Riverside &
Imperial. - Answers True
In which county is California's capital city located? - Answers Sacramento
Which of the following counties is located in the Sierra/Mother Lode region? - Answers
Tuolumne
Del Norte, Siskiyou & Modoc counties all share a border with the State of Oregon. - Answers
True
Which of the following counties DOES NOT share its name with a city?
a. San Luis Obispo
b. San Francisco
c. Lassen
d. Monterey
e. Fresno
f. San Diego
g. Riverside
