Week-7: Assignment-7 Solution

Natural Hazards

1. In soil creep movement of the sediments occurs in regions which are subjected to
_____________ conditions.
a) Strong wind
b) Freeze thaw
c) Chemical weathering
d) Seismic shaking

Answer: b) Freeze thaw

Explanation: In soil creep, the movement of sediments occurs in regions that are subjected to
freeze-thaw conditions. Freeze-thaw cycles refer to the repeated freezing and thawing of water
within the soil or rock. This process can cause the expansion and contraction of particles,
which, over time, leads to the gradual downhill movement of soil and rock fragments known
as soil creep. This type of movement is generally slow and continuous, often resulting in the
bending of trees and tilting of fences and gravestones on hillslopes.

2. ___________accumulation formed by the coarser rock fragments resulted from the

mechanical weathering along a slope under the influence of gravity.
a) Delta
b) Alluvial fan
c) Talus
d) River Terraces

Answer: c) Talus

Explanation: Talus is the accumulation formed by the coarser rock fragments resulting from
mechanical weathering along a slope under the influence of gravity. It is typically found at the
base of cliffs or steep slopes where rocks break off due to weathering and erosion. These broken
rock fragments accumulate at the base of the slope, forming a talus slope or talus cone. Talus
deposits often consist of unsorted, angular rocks and are common features in mountainous and
rocky areas.

3. Rotational slides occur due to the formation of ________________ in the upper part of the
slope.
a) Extensional scars
b) Alluvial fan
c) Burrows
d) Loose sediments

Answer: a) Extensional scars

Explanation: Rotational slides occur due to the formation of extensional scars in the upper part
of the slope. These scars are essentially fractures or weaknesses that develop in the rock or soil,
often due to factors such as weathering, erosion, or tectonic forces. When the material above
the extensional scars becomes unstable, it can slide or rotate downward along the curved
surface of the scar, leading to a rotational slide. This type of mass wasting often occurs in areas
with steep slopes, where the material is poorly consolidated or weakened by geological
processes.

4. _____________ type of landslide that occur when slope materials become so saturated that
the cohesive bonds between particles is lost and then flow like a thick fluid down-slope.
a) Soil Creep
b) Lahars
c) Debris flow
d) Mudflows

Answer: d) Mudflows

Explanation: Mudflows are a type of landslide that occurs when slope materials become so
saturated with water that the cohesive bonds between particles are lost. This causes the material
to flow downhill like a thick fluid, often with a consistency similar to wet concrete. Mudflows
can be extremely destructive, especially in areas with steep slopes and heavy rainfall or rapid
snowmelt. They can carry large amounts of debris, rocks, and other materials, posing a
significant hazard to communities and infrastructure downstream.

5. Slopes are frequently subject to new or renewed landslide activity.,Movement is not a

regular, seasonal phenomenon and recurrence interval is up to 5 years are characterized
under class_________
a) I
b) II
c) III
d) IV

Answer: b) II

Explanation: Slopes that are frequently subject to new or renewed landslide activity, where
movement is not a regular, seasonal phenomenon, and the recurrence interval is up to 5 years,
are characterized under class II. Landslide hazard classification systems often categorize
landslides based on their frequency of occurrence, potential size, and the potential impact on
people and infrastructure. Class II landslides are those that occur relatively frequently, with a
recurrence interval of up to 5 years, making them a moderate hazard.

6. Choose the incorrect option regarding the primary factors affecting floods:
a) Rainfall intensity
b) Slope
c) Ice jam
d) Permeability of soil

Answer: c) Ice jam

Explanation: Ice jams are not a primary factor affecting floods. Ice jams occur when floating
ice in rivers or streams becomes jammed or stuck, obstructing the flow of water and causing
localized flooding. While ice jams can contribute to flooding in specific areas, they are not one
of the primary factors affecting floods in general.
7. According to the dynamics of the river system the particle size may ______________ and
the carrying capacity of the river ____________ as river goes from upstream to downstream.
a) Decrease, decrease
b) Increase, decrease
c) Decrease, increase
d) Increase, remains constant

Answer: c) Decrease, increase

Explanation: According to the dynamics of the river system, the particle size of sediment may
decrease and the carrying capacity of the river may increase as the river flows from upstream
to downstream. Upstream, where the river has more energy and higher velocity, it can transport
larger and heavier sediment particles. As the river flows downstream, its velocity typically
decreases due to decreased slope, widening of the channel, and other factors. With lower energy
levels, the river can no longer transport the larger particles, leading to their deposition along
the riverbed. This results in a decrease in the average particle size downstream. Additionally,
as the river widens and slows down, its overall carrying capacity for sediment increases. This
is why we often observe finer sediments near the source of a river and coarser sediments
deposited further downstream.

8. The major flood of Kerala occurred in __________, particularly due to heavy monsoonal
rainfall.
a) 2007
b) 2010
c) 2018
d) 2019

Answer: c) 2018

Explanation: The major flood of Kerala occurred in 2018, particularly due to heavy monsoonal
rainfall. Starting in late May 2018, Kerala experienced unusually high rainfall during the
monsoon season, leading to widespread flooding and landslides across the state. The heavy
rainfall caused rivers to overflow, inundating towns and villages, displacing millions of people,
and resulting in significant loss of life and property. The Kerala floods of 2018 were one of the
worst floods in the history of the state.

9. The reason behind the 2008 devastating flood in Bihar over Kosi river is:
a) Heavy rainfall
b) Capturing of paleochannels
c) Population occupying the floodplains and paleochannels area of the river
d) All the above

Answer: d) All the above

Explanation: The reason behind the 2008 devastating flood in Bihar over the Kosi River was a
combination of heavy rainfall, the capturing of paleochannels by the river, and the presence of
a population occupying the floodplains and paleochannels areas. These factors together
resulted in one of the worst floods in the history of the region, impacting millions of people
and causing widespread destruction.
10. The type of stream or channel having the erosive side and also the depositional side that
most of the times led to undercutting is:
a) Meander stream
b) Braided Stream
c) Anastomosing stream
d) Pinnate pattern stream

Answer: a) Meander stream

Explanation: A meander stream is a type of stream or river channel that has both an erosive
side and a depositional side. The erosive side is on the outer part of the meander bend, where
the water flow is faster and cuts into the bank. The depositional side is on the inner part, where
slower water flow leads to sediment deposition. This pattern often results in undercutting of
the outer bank, creating river cliffs or cut banks.