ASBOG Geomorphology Exam Questions with Correct Answers| Latest Update
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Karst def'n Topography underlain by limestone, dolomite, gypsum, or other rocks which can
be affected by dissolution
4 conditions/things necessary for Karst to form 1. A soluble rock at or near surface
2. A dense rock, highly jointed and thin-bedded
3. Entrenched valleys below uplands underlain by soluble and well-jointed rock
4. A region of moderate to abundant rainfall
Karst term: Terra rossa Karst feature- A red clayey soil (CL - CH) found on the ground and
extending into joints and cracks, usually on moderate to gentle slopes.
Karst term:Lapies Grooved or fluted surface resulting from the solution or limestone at or
near the surface in an area of high relief. Grooves range from a few millimeters to more than a
meter, commonly result in knifelike ridges.
Karst term: Sinkholes Circular depression, commonly funnel-shaped. Two origins- doline, or
a collapse of the rock over an underground cavity.
Karst term: Sinkhole pond or karst lake pond or lake resulting from the clogging by clay of a
doline sinkhole that perches water above the water table
Karst term: Swallow holes a hole in the bottom of a sinkhole
Karst term: Karst window a hole in the ground in which one can observe an underground
stream. A hole in a cavern which breaks the surface.
Karst term: Uvala an elongated karst window
,Karst term: Polje a sinkhole formed by solutional modification of the rock in a previously
faulted or folded structure.
Karst term: Solution-subsidence trough A non-tectonic feature, resulting from concurrent
subsidence and solution along joints or faults.
Karst term: Sinkhole or karst plain A limestone plain exhibiting sieve-like characteristics
resulting from numerous sinkholes
Karst term: Sinking creeks Any surface creek or stream which disappears underground in
karst terrain (may disappear in a swallow hole)
Karst term: Sink the point at which a sinking creek ends, often a swallow hole
Karst term: Blind valley A valley that ends at a swallow hole due to a prolonged period of
upstream erosion above the sinkhole. Solution or karst valley is a special type.
Karst term: Hum isolated hill remnants due to erosion
Karst term: Travertine A deposit of calcium carbonate precipitate that can be found in
limestone caverns
Karst term: Dripstone Travertine deposits resulting from dripping from the ceiling of a cave
or cavern- eg. stalactites and stalagmites.
Karst term: Helictite An irregular twiglike deposit that forms in caverns when there's not
enough water to form drips but the surface remains damp or the water comes from a tiny hole
or tube within the deposit
, Two categories of glacial features Continental glaciation and Alpine glaciation
5 conditions required to classify a snow or ice field as a glacier: 1. A large accumulation or
mass of ice and snow
2. Must be located on land (or principally on land)
3. It must be formed by compaction and recrystallization of snow
4. There must be evidence of past or present movement
5. The glacier remains from year to year
Continental Glacier term:
Roche moutonnée An elongated bedrock knob oriented parallel to the direction of glacial
flow and has a smooth rounded upstream end and a steep rough downstream end. Erosional
Feature.
Continental Glacier term:
Mammillated surface (Streamlined topography) A series of smooth rounded erosional rock
mounts alternating with parallel valleys resulting from the smoothing off of a mountainous
region by the ice cap. Erosional Feature.
*Three erosional features of Continental glaciation (Ice Caps) 1. Ice scoured plain
2. Roche moutonnée
3. Streamlined topography/Mammillated surface
moraine a mound or ridge composed of accumulated glacial drift or till. Unsorted and
unstratified clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders.
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Karst def'n Topography underlain by limestone, dolomite, gypsum, or other rocks which can
be affected by dissolution
4 conditions/things necessary for Karst to form 1. A soluble rock at or near surface
2. A dense rock, highly jointed and thin-bedded
3. Entrenched valleys below uplands underlain by soluble and well-jointed rock
4. A region of moderate to abundant rainfall
Karst term: Terra rossa Karst feature- A red clayey soil (CL - CH) found on the ground and
extending into joints and cracks, usually on moderate to gentle slopes.
Karst term:Lapies Grooved or fluted surface resulting from the solution or limestone at or
near the surface in an area of high relief. Grooves range from a few millimeters to more than a
meter, commonly result in knifelike ridges.
Karst term: Sinkholes Circular depression, commonly funnel-shaped. Two origins- doline, or
a collapse of the rock over an underground cavity.
Karst term: Sinkhole pond or karst lake pond or lake resulting from the clogging by clay of a
doline sinkhole that perches water above the water table
Karst term: Swallow holes a hole in the bottom of a sinkhole
Karst term: Karst window a hole in the ground in which one can observe an underground
stream. A hole in a cavern which breaks the surface.
Karst term: Uvala an elongated karst window
,Karst term: Polje a sinkhole formed by solutional modification of the rock in a previously
faulted or folded structure.
Karst term: Solution-subsidence trough A non-tectonic feature, resulting from concurrent
subsidence and solution along joints or faults.
Karst term: Sinkhole or karst plain A limestone plain exhibiting sieve-like characteristics
resulting from numerous sinkholes
Karst term: Sinking creeks Any surface creek or stream which disappears underground in
karst terrain (may disappear in a swallow hole)
Karst term: Sink the point at which a sinking creek ends, often a swallow hole
Karst term: Blind valley A valley that ends at a swallow hole due to a prolonged period of
upstream erosion above the sinkhole. Solution or karst valley is a special type.
Karst term: Hum isolated hill remnants due to erosion
Karst term: Travertine A deposit of calcium carbonate precipitate that can be found in
limestone caverns
Karst term: Dripstone Travertine deposits resulting from dripping from the ceiling of a cave
or cavern- eg. stalactites and stalagmites.
Karst term: Helictite An irregular twiglike deposit that forms in caverns when there's not
enough water to form drips but the surface remains damp or the water comes from a tiny hole
or tube within the deposit
, Two categories of glacial features Continental glaciation and Alpine glaciation
5 conditions required to classify a snow or ice field as a glacier: 1. A large accumulation or
mass of ice and snow
2. Must be located on land (or principally on land)
3. It must be formed by compaction and recrystallization of snow
4. There must be evidence of past or present movement
5. The glacier remains from year to year
Continental Glacier term:
Roche moutonnée An elongated bedrock knob oriented parallel to the direction of glacial
flow and has a smooth rounded upstream end and a steep rough downstream end. Erosional
Feature.
Continental Glacier term:
Mammillated surface (Streamlined topography) A series of smooth rounded erosional rock
mounts alternating with parallel valleys resulting from the smoothing off of a mountainous
region by the ice cap. Erosional Feature.
*Three erosional features of Continental glaciation (Ice Caps) 1. Ice scoured plain
2. Roche moutonnée
3. Streamlined topography/Mammillated surface
moraine a mound or ridge composed of accumulated glacial drift or till. Unsorted and
unstratified clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders.
