Minnesota Storm Surge Modeling
Technician Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary driver of storm surge in coastal systems?
A. Earth rotation
B. Atmospheric pressure gradients and wind stress
C. Ocean salinity changes
D. Seafloor earthquakes
Answer: B
Rationale: Wind stress and low atmospheric pressure are the
dominant forces pushing water toward the coast during storms.
2. Which model is commonly used for hurricane storm surge prediction
in the U.S.?
A. WRF
B. ADCIRC
, C. HEC-RAS 1D
D. SWMM
Answer: B
Rationale: ADCIRC is widely used for high-resolution storm surge and
coastal circulation modeling.
3. Storm surge height is most directly influenced by:
A. Lunar phases
B. Wind speed and fetch
C. River discharge only
D. Groundwater levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Strong winds over long fetch areas push more water
toward shore, increasing surge height.
4. What is “fetch” in coastal modeling?
A. Ocean depth
B. Distance wind travels over water
C. Wave height
D. Salinity level
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetch is the uninterrupted distance wind blows over
water, influencing wave and surge energy.
5. Which factor reduces storm surge impact?
A. Shallow continental shelf
, B. Coastal wetlands
C. Funnel-shaped bays
D. Strong onshore winds
Answer: B
Rationale: Wetlands dissipate wave energy and reduce surge
impacts.
6. Storm surge is best defined as:
A. Wind speed increase
B. Rise in sea level above normal tide due to storm
C. Rainfall accumulation
D. River flooding only
Answer: B
Rationale: Storm surge is the abnormal rise in sea level caused by
storm forces.
7. Which tool is essential for spatial storm surge analysis?
A. CAD only
B. GIS software
C. Word processor
D. Spreadsheet only
Answer: B
Rationale: GIS is used to analyze spatial flood extent and elevation
impacts.
, 8. Bathymetry refers to:
A. Air pressure mapping
B. Ocean floor depth measurement
C. Rainfall intensity
D. Wind direction
Answer: B
Rationale: Bathymetry measures underwater terrain, crucial for
surge modeling.
9. A low-pressure system typically causes sea level to:
A. Decrease
B. Remain constant
C. Rise
D. Freeze
Answer: C
Rationale: Lower pressure allows sea surface to rise slightly (inverse
barometer effect).
10. What is storm surge most dangerous in:
A. Deep ocean
B. Coastal low-lying areas
C. Mountain regions
D. Arctic ice sheets
Answer: B
Technician Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary driver of storm surge in coastal systems?
A. Earth rotation
B. Atmospheric pressure gradients and wind stress
C. Ocean salinity changes
D. Seafloor earthquakes
Answer: B
Rationale: Wind stress and low atmospheric pressure are the
dominant forces pushing water toward the coast during storms.
2. Which model is commonly used for hurricane storm surge prediction
in the U.S.?
A. WRF
B. ADCIRC
, C. HEC-RAS 1D
D. SWMM
Answer: B
Rationale: ADCIRC is widely used for high-resolution storm surge and
coastal circulation modeling.
3. Storm surge height is most directly influenced by:
A. Lunar phases
B. Wind speed and fetch
C. River discharge only
D. Groundwater levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Strong winds over long fetch areas push more water
toward shore, increasing surge height.
4. What is “fetch” in coastal modeling?
A. Ocean depth
B. Distance wind travels over water
C. Wave height
D. Salinity level
Answer: B
Rationale: Fetch is the uninterrupted distance wind blows over
water, influencing wave and surge energy.
5. Which factor reduces storm surge impact?
A. Shallow continental shelf
, B. Coastal wetlands
C. Funnel-shaped bays
D. Strong onshore winds
Answer: B
Rationale: Wetlands dissipate wave energy and reduce surge
impacts.
6. Storm surge is best defined as:
A. Wind speed increase
B. Rise in sea level above normal tide due to storm
C. Rainfall accumulation
D. River flooding only
Answer: B
Rationale: Storm surge is the abnormal rise in sea level caused by
storm forces.
7. Which tool is essential for spatial storm surge analysis?
A. CAD only
B. GIS software
C. Word processor
D. Spreadsheet only
Answer: B
Rationale: GIS is used to analyze spatial flood extent and elevation
impacts.
, 8. Bathymetry refers to:
A. Air pressure mapping
B. Ocean floor depth measurement
C. Rainfall intensity
D. Wind direction
Answer: B
Rationale: Bathymetry measures underwater terrain, crucial for
surge modeling.
9. A low-pressure system typically causes sea level to:
A. Decrease
B. Remain constant
C. Rise
D. Freeze
Answer: C
Rationale: Lower pressure allows sea surface to rise slightly (inverse
barometer effect).
10. What is storm surge most dangerous in:
A. Deep ocean
B. Coastal low-lying areas
C. Mountain regions
D. Arctic ice sheets
Answer: B
