Why does latitude alone not explain California’s climate diversity?
Correct answer(s):
- Elevation and ocean influence interact with north-south position.
Subject
Geography
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Quizzes in Geography
When does earthquake hazard become major economic risk?
Correct answer(s):
- When active faults intersect dense populations and valuable infrastructure.
What determines the size of wildfire losses besides fire intensity?
Correct answer(s):
- The amount and type of development exposed to fire.
What is a key seasonal feature of much of California’s Mediterranean-type climate?
Correct answer(s):
- Wetter winters and dry summers
How can mountains create dry regions in California?
Correct answer(s):
- They force moist air upward and can create rain shadows on the leeward side.
Why can winter climate affect California’s water supply months later?
Correct answer(s):
- Sierra Nevada snowpack melts gradually after winter.
Which combination best explains wildfire risk in California?
Correct answer(s):
- Climate, vegetation, wind, settlement patterns, and ignition sources
Why is an earthquake hazard not automatically the same as earthquake risk?
Correct answer(s):
- Risk also depends on people, buildings, and infrastructure exposed to the hazard.
Why can Death Valley reach extreme temperatures?
Correct answer(s):
- Its desert climate, low elevation, and surrounding topography favor intense heat.
Why do coastal metros face different planning pressures from remote mountain counties?
Correct answer(s):
- Population density and housing demand differ greatly.
Why is water management important to both California geography and economics?
Correct answer(s):
- Water connects farming, urban growth, ecosystems, and physical geography.
Why does California contain unusually varied climates and ecosystems?
Correct answer(s):
- Its large size, north-south extent, elevation range, and coastline create varied conditions.
Why does California have large differences in temperature and precipitation?
Correct answer(s):
- Its topography and geography vary greatly.
Why is mountain snowpack sometimes described as seasonal water storage?
Correct answer(s):
- It holds winter precipitation that melts later.
Which sectors can be affected by drought in California?
Correct answer(s):
- Agriculture, cities, ecosystems, and hydroelectric generation
Which is an economic cost of major wildfires?
Correct answer(s):
- Property loss and infrastructure damage
Movement between which tectonic plates is central to California’s earthquake risk?
Correct answer(s):
- Pacific and North American plates
Which west-to-east pattern describes much of California?
Correct answer(s):
- Coastal mountains, Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, then interior deserts
Why is the Central Valley highly productive for agriculture?
Correct answer(s):
- Fertile soils combine with irrigation.
How does Sierra Nevada snow affect California farming and cities?
Correct answer(s):
- Snowmelt contributes to water supplies.