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River Landforms Trivia Quiz

Here are some questions on the landforms found in and around rivers and streams. Basically some technical terms from fluvial geomorphology. Lots of fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by glacierboy. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
glacierboy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
90,052

Updated
May 12 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1119

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. A temporary body of water formed in a meander cut-off is what type of lake? Hint

Hoodoo

Overwash

Yazoo

Oxbow

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Question 2 of 10

2. This type of stream flows parallel to another, unable to join due to the natural levees caused by the larger river. Hint

Mere

Yazoo

Tidal

Ogive

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Question 3 of 10

3. The sequence of shallow-deep-shallow or wide-narrow-wide channel pattern associated with most streams is called what? Hint

Pool-Riffle Sequence

Bowl-Ripple Sequence

Deep-Shallow Sequence

Curve-Straight Sequence

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Question 4 of 10

4. A wadi is an Arabic term for what? Hint

Floodplain

Waterfall

Meander

Intermittent Streambed

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Question 5 of 10

5. An anastomosing channel is another name for what type of river? Hint

Straight

Braided

Meandering

Intermittent

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Question 6 of 10

6. Due to its shape, the Mississippi delta is known as what type of delta? Hint

Birds Foot

Estuarine

Tidal

Pluvial

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Question 7 of 10

7. During the last ice age there were great rivers flowing beneath the ice caps. As the ice melted, these landforms were left on the land surface where the rivers once flowed. Hint

Moulins

Dykes

Kaolins

Eskers

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Question 8 of 10

8. Over time, a meandering channel migrates, both downstream and from side-to-side. This process is known as what? Hint

Pneumatolysis

Meander Refraction

Stretching

Lateral Accretion

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Question 9 of 10

9. When a river floods, it deposits fine sediments on the floodplain. These sediments are called what? Hint

Lateral Accretions

Overbank deposits

Turbidity Layers

Sinters

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is NOT a structure used to control the flow of a river or stream? Hint

Weir

Dam

Hydrograph

Levee

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A temporary body of water formed in a meander cut-off is what type of lake?

Answer: Oxbow

After a flood, when a river may change its form, meander cut-offs are left full of water. Over time, these lakes are filled with sediment leaving scars on the land surface. They are called oxbow lakes because they resemble the U-shaped piece of wood fitted around the neck of a harnessed ox.

2. This type of stream flows parallel to another, unable to join due to the natural levees caused by the larger river.

Answer: Yazoo

The Mississippi River has many yazoo streams running alongside it. The yazoo stream flows along the larger river for some distance before a 'weakness' can be found in the levees along the river.

3. The sequence of shallow-deep-shallow or wide-narrow-wide channel pattern associated with most streams is called what?

Answer: Pool-Riffle Sequence

The pool-riffle sequence has many interesting differentiations. Depth, width, velocity and sediment type are just a few of the properties which change between pools and riffles. The pool-riffle sequence slowly migrates downstream over time.

4. A wadi is an Arabic term for what?

Answer: Intermittent Streambed

Also known as an ephemeral stream, wadis are generally found in desert areas, where they flow occasionally and sometimes discontinuously along their course. Only after rainstorms will a wadi flow as a river.

5. An anastomosing channel is another name for what type of river?

Answer: Braided

Braided channels are rivers where the flow passes through a number of interlaced branches that divide and rejoin. Specifically, anastomosing channels are stable, where the braided form is somewhat permanent. In other braided streams, the pattern changes regularly, with changing flow.

6. Due to its shape, the Mississippi delta is known as what type of delta?

Answer: Birds Foot

The Mississippi delta, when seen on maps and satellite images, appears roughly the same shape as a bird's foot. This type of delta is caused by the large amounts of sediment carried by the river, which are deposited on and at the foot of the delta, causing it to grow outwards, sometimes in odd directions.

7. During the last ice age there were great rivers flowing beneath the ice caps. As the ice melted, these landforms were left on the land surface where the rivers once flowed.

Answer: Eskers

Eskers can be hundreds of kilometres in length and 100 metres high. Eskers are essentially relic rivers, having meanders, tributaries and deltas associated with them.

8. Over time, a meandering channel migrates, both downstream and from side-to-side. This process is known as what?

Answer: Lateral Accretion

As bed sediments accumulate on the sides of rivers, usually on the inside of meanders, the river is forced further outward and cuts into the outside bank. This causes the river to migrate.

9. When a river floods, it deposits fine sediments on the floodplain. These sediments are called what?

Answer: Overbank deposits

These fine particles can be deposited a great distance from the river itself, depending on the size of the flood. During large floods, it is possible for large sediments, such as pebbles or cobbles to be deposited on the floodplain.

10. Which of these is NOT a structure used to control the flow of a river or stream?

Answer: Hydrograph

A hydrograph is a chart which documents the flow of a waterway. Recordings can be taken at many points on a river. The other options control a river's flow to help prevent flooding or maintain river and/or dam levels.

Source: Author glacierboy

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