GEOG 4350. Exam 2 Example
Questions:
1. State the modified
Coulomb Equation for shear strength of soil on a slope (i.e. including the
effects of pore water pressure); define each term and explain why saturation of
soil increases the likelihood of slope failure.
2. Re. M.J. Selby: describe (not just list) the major
factors that control the strength of a mass of rock.
3. With reference to the article on landslide
susceptibility mapping, describe the four factors used to assess landslide
susceptibility, explain how a GIS was used to evaluate and map susceptibility
and give two examples of how the landslide susceptibility map could be used by
planners in Travis County.
4. Explain, with the
aid of diagrams, the following models of slope evolution: a. slope decline
b. slope replacement c. parallel
retreat.
5. Draw a labeled sketch of
the hydrological cycle within a small watershed. Identify and describe
each component.
6. Explain, with the aid of
diagrams, Hortonian overland flow, saturation overland flow and
interflow.
7. Describe, with the
aid of diagrams, the following types of mass wasting: rockfall, rockslide,
slump, mud flow, earth flow, debris flow, creep.
8. With reference to the
article on the effects of urbanization on White Rock Creek, describe a.
the hypothesis, b. the methods and c. the results of the study.
9. With reference to the article on erosion from gas
well sites, describe the main sources of erosion, the fate of sediment
and the “site stabilization” effect.
10. Describe (with
diagrams) five common drainage patterns and explain the origin of each.
11. With reference to the
article on the effects of urbanization on White Rock Creek, explain (in
general) why and how urbanization changes a stream's storm response in
terms of peak storm flow, storm flow volume and lag time.
12.
With the aid of diagrams explain shear stress and normal stress acting
on soil on a slope. Show how the magnitude of these two forces depends on the
slope angle.
13. The eastern side of
Denton is on Woodbine Sandstone and the western side in on Grayson Marl.
Explain how these contrasting rock types have resulted in contrasting soils,
vegetation and topography (based on lab 4).