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Quiz about National Park Tour  Death Valley NP
Quiz about National Park Tour  Death Valley NP

National Park Tour - Death Valley NP Quiz


Death Valley National Park in southern California is a land of great extremes. What do you know about this fascinating place?

A multiple-choice quiz by djsgal. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
djsgal
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
273,989
Updated
May 12 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
906
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
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Question 1 of 10
1. Death Valley National Park is a very large park in terms of square miles...but how big? Which of the following best describes the size of this park? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Death Valley is famous for several extremes, one of which is its extremely high summer temperatures. In fact, the highest recorded temperature in North America in the 20th century was at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. How hot was it that day? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Death Valley is also North America's driest location, with average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches. But some years are rainier than others - what is the record rainfall amount in a single calendar year (Jan-Dec)? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Another extreme at Death Valley is that it is the lowest location in North America. How far below sea level can you stand at Badwater Basin? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Though Death Valley is seemingly inhospitable to life, there are a variety of plants and animals that make Death Valley their home. Which of the following can you NOT find in Death Valley? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In 1849, a 20-wagon group of lost gold prospectors wandered the area for 2 months, searching for a path to the west. How many of their group died, thus dubbing it, "Death Valley"? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Settlers began to permanently occupy Death Valley in the 1870s, lured by the chance to mine for gold, silver and other minerals. But which substance brought fame to Death Valley for its abundance and profitability? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. One famous location to visit in Death Valley is Scotty's Castle. This was an early 20th century "home away from home" for a Chicago millionaire and his wife. But who was "Scotty"? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Another fascinating attraction at Death Valley is the "Racetrack Playa". What in the world makes the Racetrack so interesting? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Death Valley can be a harsh, unforgiving place - why would anyone want to visit it? And yet many do. About how many visitors does Death Valley National Park receive in a year? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Death Valley National Park is a very large park in terms of square miles...but how big? Which of the following best describes the size of this park?

Answer: largest national park south of Alaska

Death Valley spans approximately 3.4 million acres throughout southeastern California and parts of Nevada. It is the largest park in every state but Alaska where five of the eight parks there are larger.
2. Death Valley is famous for several extremes, one of which is its extremely high summer temperatures. In fact, the highest recorded temperature in North America in the 20th century was at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. How hot was it that day?

Answer: 134 degrees F

The record temperature of 134 degrees F (56.7C) was observed on July 10, 1913. Interestingly, the coldest Death Valley temperature was also recorded that year, on January 8, 1913, at a temperature of 15 degrees F.
3. Death Valley is also North America's driest location, with average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches. But some years are rainier than others - what is the record rainfall amount in a single calendar year (Jan-Dec)?

Answer: 4.73 inches

Less than 5 inches! The 4.73 inch annual rainfall during the calendar year of 2005 broke a 92-year-old record at Death Valley.
4. Another extreme at Death Valley is that it is the lowest location in North America. How far below sea level can you stand at Badwater Basin?

Answer: 282 feet

Standing at Badwater Basin, you can look up at the surrounding cliffs to see a sign 282 feet above you that shows you where sea level would be. The Dead Sea in the Middle East is the lowest place in the world at 1371 feet below sea level.
5. Though Death Valley is seemingly inhospitable to life, there are a variety of plants and animals that make Death Valley their home. Which of the following can you NOT find in Death Valley?

Answer: black bear

There are 51 species of native mammals, 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of amphibians, five species of fish, and one subspecies of fish in Death Valley. But no black bears.
6. In 1849, a 20-wagon group of lost gold prospectors wandered the area for 2 months, searching for a path to the west. How many of their group died, thus dubbing it, "Death Valley"?

Answer: 1

As far as history tells us, only one prospector died: an elderly man already weakened by the long journey. They were traveling in December, so the temperatures were mild, and they found plenty of water at Travertine Spring. They survived by eating their oxen, and were eventually led out of the valley by two young men who had discovered the pass through.
7. Settlers began to permanently occupy Death Valley in the 1870s, lured by the chance to mine for gold, silver and other minerals. But which substance brought fame to Death Valley for its abundance and profitability?

Answer: borax

The famous "Twenty-Mule-Team Borax" soap hails from the mining of borax in Death Valley. And in actuality, the teams were made up of 18 mules and 2 horses.
8. One famous location to visit in Death Valley is Scotty's Castle. This was an early 20th century "home away from home" for a Chicago millionaire and his wife. But who was "Scotty"?

Answer: Walter Scott, Death Valley prospector

Walter Scott, known as "Death Valley Scotty", was a flamboyant and colorful man of the area. He struck up a friendship with millionaire Albert Johnson and his wife during a business deal. Though the profits of the business deal were never realized, the Johnsons fell in love with Death Valley and began to build a desert retreat there. Scotty bragged that the castle was being built from the profits of his gold mine, and thus the castle was named, "Scotty's Castle".
9. Another fascinating attraction at Death Valley is the "Racetrack Playa". What in the world makes the Racetrack so interesting?

Answer: Rocks have been moved by wind and formed tracks in the ground

Though no human has ever witnessed it, scientists believe that during periods of rainfall, the surface of the playa becomes smooth and slick. When strong winds blow, the wind can push rocks up to 700 pounds across the surface, forming paths or grooves behind them. One scientist studied the rocks for 7 years, recording and mapping their progress.
10. Death Valley can be a harsh, unforgiving place - why would anyone want to visit it? And yet many do. About how many visitors does Death Valley National Park receive in a year?

Answer: 1 million

Approximately 1 million people visit Death Valley each year. Of all its extremes, the most deadly thing about Death Valley isn't the sun, the heat, or the rattlesnakes. It is the "single car rollover", which kills more visitors than all the other reasons combined. So if you visit Death Valley, drive carefully on the narrow, rocky, twisting roads!

As always, the National Geographic Guide to the National Parks and the National Park website helped me with my facts for this quiz.
Source: Author djsgal

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor zh1322 before going online.
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