Describe the movement of a turbidity current and the resulting sediment deposit. What will be an ideal response?


Dilute mixtures of sediment and water periodically rush down the continental slope in
turbidity currents. A turbidity current is not propelled by the water within it but by
gravity (the water suspends the particles, and the mixture is denser than the
surrounding seawater). The erosive force of turbidity currents is thought to help cut
submarine canyons. These underwater avalanches of thick, muddy fluid can reach the
continental rise and often continue moving onto an adjacent abyssal plain before
eventually coming to rest. The resulting deposits are called turbidites, graded layers of terrigenous sand interbedded with the finer pelagic sediments typical of the deepsea
floor. Each distinct layer consists of coarse sediment at the bottom with finer
sediment above, and each graded layer is the result of sediment deposited by one
turbidity-current event.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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In order to provide an early warning system, which of the following is LEAST helpful in trying to predict a tsunami?

A. world-wide seismic networks that broadcast warnings based on an earthquake's potential for generating a tsunami B. considering the tectonic setting and type of plate boundary that is nearby C. deploying warning buoys to detect small changes in sea level D. monitoring earthquakes on land

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Which of the following is NOT an example of a pluvial lake?

A) Lake Superior B) Lake Lahontan C) Lake Bonneville D) Lake Russell

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The first national park in the world was ________.

- Yellowstone - Glacier National Park - Grand Canyon - Death Valley - Yosemite

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences