Natural Hazards and Climate Change Study Guide

In 1915, the volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora, situated on the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia, led to

a significant lowering of global temperatures. How does a volcanic eruption lead to the lowering of

temperatures?

• Ash and dust released during an eruption block the sunlight and cause temporary cooling.

• Carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere during an eruption lowers the temperature.

• Sulfur dioxide particles released during an eruption combine with water present in the atmosphere

  and bring the temperature down.

• Hydrogen gas released during an eruption combines with oxygen gas present in the atmosphere

  and makes the atmosphere cooler.

Local governments in Florida have passed laws to eliminate beachfront lighting because it has been

shown to discourage female sea turtles from nesting. Since many types of sea turtles are considered

endangered species, why would local governments pass laws to protect nesting females?

• The sea turtles would be forced to find a new place to nest, and this would harm the water quality

  in the original nesting area.

• The sea turtles may not nest and may eventually become extinct, decreasing the biodiversity of

  the oceans.

• The sea turtles may not nest and may eventually become extinct, increasing the biodiversity of the

  oceans.

• The sea turtles would be forced to find a new place to nest, and this would harm the soil quality in

  the original nesting area.

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Fertilizer runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorous flows from agricultural fields into a lake. These

chemicals encourage the rapid growth of algae in the lake, and the algae block sunlight. When algae

die, their decomposition by bacteria consumes oxygen and depletes the dissolved oxygen content of

the lake.

What will be the most likely consequence of the decomposition process?

• The amount of water in the lake will increase.

• The numbers of aquatic plants in the lake will increase.

• The populations of fish in the lake will decrease.

• The amount of carbon dioxide in the lake will decrease.

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Where do earthquakes occur?

• at the boundary between the core and the mantle

• at the interior of an oceanic crust plate

• near a fault zone

• near the equator

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Why are computer models of hurricanes important tools for meteorologists?

• They collect data from the eye of the hurricane.

• They identify the problems caused by hurricanes.

• They use data from many sources to simulate the path and to predict the intensity of the storm.

• They provide solutions to the problems caused by hurricanes that move over populated areas.

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Which weather instrument is the most useful for predicting and forecasting the paths of hurricanes?

• rain gauge

• satellite

• thermometer

• wind vane

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Virginia’s Valley and Ridge province has many limestone and dolomite rock layers. How could the

composition of these layers affect the groundwater stored in the aquifer in this province?

• Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, creating larger spaces and increasing the volume

  of groundwater storage.

• Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, collapsing spaces and decreasing the volume of

  groundwater storage.

• Over time, acidic water could leach toxins from the rock, contaminating the water and making it

  unusable.

• Over time, acidic water could leach ions from the rock, decreasing the pH of the water and making

  it more drinkable.

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Ice samples from continental glaciers provide evidence that today's atmosphere contains more

carbon dioxide than ancient atmospheres did. Why does this increase in carbon dioxide concern

scientists?

• It could cause overall heating of the Earth's atmosphere.

• It could cause a hole to form in the ozone layer.

• It could cause the Earth to slow the velocity of its rotation.

• It could cause the Moon to have more of an impact on ocean tides.

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Which method is not a good method for reducing energy consumption?

• better home insulation

• driving a hybrid car

• turning heat down when not home

• washing clothing in hot water

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A student reads in a journal that transportation in the United States accounts for 30% of greenhouse

gas emissions. Which modification can Americans make to decrease emissions?

• Increase carpooling in cities

• Decrease the number of bike lanes on roads.

• Decrease car parking charges.

• Increase the price of bus passes.

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