Instruction
The essay should consist of 3 to 5 paragraphs, written in prose (complete sentences).
The first paragraph should rephrase the essay question and make a statement as to its relevance to physical geology.
The second (third and fourth) paragraphs should provide a detailed answer to the questions, giving examples or using a case study to explain the answer.
The last paragraph should provide conclusions.
Question #1-Mass Movements
Mass Movements can move at various speeds, from imperceptible slow to as fast as a freight train. Describe the relative speed of movement of the following types of mass movement and order them from the slowest to the fastest. Then take three of these mass movements and describe the factors involved in initiating movement and which of these factors can be controlled to increase the factor of safety on the slope? Look at debris avalanches, soil creep, rock fall, rock slide, and lahars.
Question #2- Glaciers
Describe the differences in the formation of continental glaciers vs. mountain glaciers. Define Cirques, Tarns, Horns, Eskers, Hanging Valleys and Moraines. As glaciers melt, discuss the effect on sea level, albedo, and fresh water.
Question #3-Global Climate Change
Discuss a minimum of three significant changes to the Earth’s environment as a result of global climate change. If we are undergoing global warming why do we have colder and more severe winters? How does global climate change affect ecosystems? Does it increase or decrease the amount of species that are going extinct?