World Geography Questions

• Earth Systems — Definition Check Which term refers to the combined portion of the Earth’s surface and the thin layer of air immediately above it that together support life (plants, animals, and microorganisms)?
• Soil Science — Horizon Identification In a standard soil profile, the R-horizon (also written as the “R layer”) consists of which material?
• Atmospheric Science — Radio Communication Propagation of many long-distance radio signals is most strongly influenced by which region of the Earth’s atmosphere?
• Astronomy — Definition of Superior Planets Which group lists the “superior planets,” that is, the planets whose orbits lie outside Earth’s orbit?
• Global Wind Belts — Location of Polar Easterlies The Polar Easterlies predominantly occur within which latitude band?
• World Climate Types — “Three W’s” Region Which climatic region is famously associated with the “three W’s” — wheat, wool, and wine — due to its seasonal rainfall pattern and mild, dry summers?
• Weathering Processes — Chemical Reactions The chemical reaction in which compounds combine with oxygen (often producing oxides) is called:
• Oceanography — Tidal Theories The “progressive wave” (dynamic) theory of tides was proposed by which scientist?
• Geologic Time Scale — Paleozoic Era Bounds The Paleozoic Era began approximately ____ million years ago (mya) and ended approximately ____ mya.
• Planetary Rotation — Longest Day (Sidereal Rotation) Which planet in the Solar System takes the greatest time to complete one rotation about its axis (i.e., has the longest “day” by sidereal period)?
• PLATE TECTONICS — Oceanic vs continental crust age Statement: The oldest rocks found in ocean basins are ____ than the oldest continental rocks. Choose the best comparative term.
• OCEANOGRAPHY — Primary reason sea water is saline Question: Why is ocean water saline on Earth? Select the best scientific explanation.
• GEODESY — Earth’s shape and diameters Statement: The polar diameter is ____ compared to the equatorial diameter of Earth. Choose the correct comparison.
• GEOMORPHOLOGY — Name the transport process of short hops Question: The process in which sediment grains move from the surface into the flow and back again in quick, continuous, repeated short jumps is called:
• TIDES — Cause of the periodic rise and fall of sea level Question: The periodic rise and fall of sea level (tides) on Earth is primarily related to which factor?
• EARTH'S RADIATION BUDGET — Planetary albedo fraction Question: Approximately what fraction of the Sun’s incoming radiation is reflected back to space by the Earth–atmosphere system (planetary albedo)?
• SEA-WATER CHEMISTRY — Relative abundance of major ions Question: Select the correct descending order of the relative abundance of dissolved salts (major ions) in average seawater.
• PLATE BOUNDARIES — Outcomes of collision and subduction Question: Which geologic phenomena are commonly associated with convergent plate boundaries where collision and/or subduction occur?
• GEOTHERMAL FEATURES — Name the hot-water eruption Question: The phenomenon in which an opening in Earth’s surface ejects a jet of hot water and steam at irregular intervals is called:
• ASTRONOMY — Term for one body obscuring another Question: What is the correct term for the obscuring of one celestial body by another, especially when the Sun or a planetary satellite is involved?