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During a dust storm, fine particles are transported primarily through suspension, where they bounce along the surface.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source clarifies that suspension involves finer particles being carried aloft by the wind, while saltation is the process where particles bounce along the surface.
The initial stage of particle movement in a dust storm involves particles immediately being carried aloft in suspension.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source describes the initial stage as sand particles vibrating and then moving via saltation, which dislodges smaller dust particles for suspension.
A 2008 study found that saltating sand particles acquire a positive charge relative to the ground, which helps loosen more sand.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2008 study found that saltating sand acquires a *negative* charge relative to the ground, which then loosens more sand particles.
Particles become loosely held and susceptible to wind erosion primarily due to prolonged drought or arid conditions combined with high wind speeds.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that prolonged drought or arid conditions combined with high wind speeds are the primary factors making particles loosely held and susceptible to wind erosion.
Strong wind gusts for dust storms can be produced by the outflow of rain-cooled air from an intense thunderstorm or a dry cold front.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source identifies gust fronts from thunderstorms and dry cold fronts as meteorological phenomena capable of producing the strong wind gusts necessary for dust storms.
Convective instability can help maintain a dust storm after a dry cold front passes by creating an unstable atmospheric condition that continues to lift dust.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explains that convective instability, occurring when cooler air rides over heated ground, can maintain a dust storm after a dry cold front passes by continuously lifting dust.
Poor farming practices like intensive tillage and wildfires can contribute to dust storms by exposing loose soil to the wind.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates that poor farming practices, including intensive tillage, and wildfires contribute to dust storms by removing vegetation and exposing loose soil to wind erosion.
Soil conservation practices, such as intensive tillage, are identified as contributing to dust storms in semi-arid climates.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source identifies intensive tillage as a *poor* farming practice that increases susceptibility to dust storms, contrasting it with soil conservation practices which can *control* wind erosion.
The Dust Bowl era in the U.S. saw dust storms initiated by dry cold fronts.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source mentions that dry cold fronts were a common cause of strong wind gusts for dust storms during the Dust Bowl era in the U.S.
Which two processes describe how fine particles are transported during a dust storm?
Answer: Saltation and suspension.
Explanation: The source identifies saltation and suspension as the processes through which fine particles are transported during a dust storm.
What is the initial stage of particle movement when wind force increases over loosely held particles?
Answer: Sand particles begin to vibrate.
Explanation: The source describes the initial stage of particle movement as sand particles beginning to vibrate as wind force increases over loosely held particles.
What charge do saltating sand particles acquire relative to the ground, according to a 2008 study?
Answer: A negative charge, loosening more sand particles.
Explanation: A 2008 study found that saltating sand acquires a negative charge relative to the ground, which then loosens more sand particles.
What are the primary conditions that lead to particles becoming loosely held and susceptible to wind erosion?
Answer: Prolonged drought or arid conditions combined with high wind speeds.
Explanation: The source identifies prolonged drought or arid conditions combined with high wind speeds as the primary conditions for particles becoming loosely held and susceptible to wind erosion.
Which meteorological phenomenon can produce the strong wind gusts necessary for dust storms, as seen during the Dust Bowl era?
Answer: A dry cold front.
Explanation: The source states that strong wind gusts for dust storms can be produced by a dry cold front, as was common during the Dust Bowl era.
How can convective instability contribute to a dust storm after a dry cold front passes?
Answer: By maintaining the storm through lifting dust as cooler air rides over heated ground.
Explanation: The source explains that convective instability maintains a dust storm by continuously lifting dust as cooler air rides over heated ground after a dry cold front passes.
Which human activities and environmental events, besides drought and wind, contribute to dust storms?
Answer: Poor farming and grazing practices, and wildfires.
Explanation: The source identifies poor farming and grazing practices, along with wildfires, as human activities and environmental events that contribute to dust storms.
Which farming practice is identified as increasing susceptibility to dust storms in semi-arid climates?
Answer: Intensive tillage or absence of established crops.
Explanation: The source identifies intensive tillage or the absence of established crops as poor farming practices that increase susceptibility to dust storms in semi-arid climates.
Dust storms are meteorological phenomena exclusively observed in tropical rainforests due to high humidity.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that dust storms are frequently observed in arid and semi-arid regions, not exclusively in tropical rainforests, and are associated with dry surfaces, not high humidity.
The term 'sandstorm' is typically used when finer particles are transported over long distances, especially impacting urban areas.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that 'sandstorm' is used in desert contexts with larger sand particles obscuring visibility, while 'dust storm' is for finer particles transported over long distances, impacting urban areas.
Finer dust particles can be lifted as high as 600 meters (2,000 feet) during a storm, while sand is typically confined to a much higher layer.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that finer dust particles can be lifted as high as 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), while sand is typically confined to a shallow layer, often by a temperature inversion.
The leading edge of a dust storm typically appears as a wall of thick dust, reaching heights of up to 1.6 kilometers (5,200 feet).
Answer: True
Explanation: The source describes the leading edge of a dust storm as a wall of thick dust, reaching heights of as much as 1.6 kilometers (5,200 feet).
The simoom and haboob are local names for dust storms originating from the Gobi Desert.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that simoom and haboob are local names for dust and sand storms originating from the Sahara Desert, not the Gobi Desert.
A 'haboob' is a specific type of intense sandstorm most common in the region of Sudan around Khartoum during the summer.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source defines a haboob as an intense sandstorm prevalent in Sudan around Khartoum, particularly during the summer months.
What is a dust storm also known as, and in which geographical regions are they most commonly observed?
Answer: A sandstorm, common in arid and semi-arid regions.
Explanation: The source defines a dust storm as also known as a sandstorm, frequently observed in arid and semi-arid regions.
According to the text, when is the term 'sandstorm' typically used?
Answer: In desert contexts where sand is the predominant soil type and larger particles obscure visibility.
Explanation: The source specifies that 'sandstorm' is typically used in desert contexts where sand is the predominant soil type and larger particles obscure visibility.
What factors primarily determine the vertical extent to which dust and sand are lifted during a storm?
Answer: The stability of the atmosphere and the weight of the particulates.
Explanation: The source states that the vertical extent of dust or sand is largely determined by the stability of the atmosphere and the weight of the particulates.
What is the typical appearance and height of the leading edge of a dust storm?
Answer: A wall of thick dust, reaching up to 1.6 kilometers (5,200 feet).
Explanation: The source describes the leading edge of a dust storm as a wall of thick dust, reaching heights of as much as 1.6 kilometers (5,200 feet).
What are the local names for dust and sand storms originating from the Sahara Desert?
Answer: Simoom or simoon, and haboob.
Explanation: The source identifies simoom (or simoon) and haboob as local names for dust and sand storms originating from the Sahara Desert.
What is a 'haboob' specifically known for in the context of dust storms?
Answer: A specific type of intense sandstorm prevalent in Sudan around Khartoum during summer.
Explanation: The source defines a haboob as a specific type of intense sandstorm prevalent in Sudan around Khartoum, particularly during the summer season.
The primary terrestrial sources of airborne dust include the arid regions of North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source identifies these regions as the main terrestrial sources of airborne dust due to their vast expanses of dry land and loose soil.
The Bodélé Depression is identified as a particularly active area for dust storm formation within the Sahara Desert.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source specifically identifies the Bodélé Depression as a particularly active area for dust storm formation within the Sahara Desert.
Saharan dust is rarely transported beyond the immediate Mediterranean region.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that Saharan dust can be transported as far north as central Europe and Great Britain, well beyond the immediate Mediterranean region.
Saharan dust storms have decreased approximately fivefold since the 1950s, leading to improved topsoil conditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that Saharan dust storms have increased approximately tenfold since the 1950s, resulting in significant topsoil loss, not improved conditions.
In Mauritania, the frequency of dust storms has increased from about two per year in the early 1960s to approximately 80 per year since 2007.
Answer: True
Explanation: According to geographer Andrew Goudie, the frequency of dust storms in Mauritania increased from about two per year in the early 1960s to approximately 80 per year since 2007.
High levels of Saharan dust off the east coast of Africa in June 2007 were linked to a significant increase in Atlantic hurricane activity.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source suggests that the high levels of Saharan dust in June 2007 may have cooled Atlantic waters, potentially *reducing* hurricane activity, not increasing it.
The 2009 Australian dust storm primarily affected rural agricultural areas, with minimal impact on urban centers like Sydney.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source references an image showing Sydney 'enveloped in dust' during the 2009 Australian dust storm, indicating a significant impact on urban centers.
Which of the following is NOT identified as a primary terrestrial source of airborne dust?
Answer: South America's Amazon Basin.
Explanation: The source identifies North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China as primary terrestrial sources of airborne dust, not the Amazon Basin.
Which of the following is identified as a key geographical source of dust storms within the Sahara Desert?
Answer: The Bodélé Depression.
Explanation: The source identifies the Bodélé Depression as a particularly active area for dust storm formation within the Sahara Desert.
How far north can Saharan dust be transported by winds?
Answer: As far north as central Europe and Great Britain.
Explanation: The source states that Saharan dust can be transported as far north as central Europe and Great Britain.
What trend has been observed in Saharan dust storms since the 1950s, and what is a consequence?
Answer: They have increased approximately tenfold, resulting in significant topsoil loss.
Explanation: The source indicates that Saharan dust storms have increased approximately tenfold since the 1950s, leading to significant topsoil loss.
According to Andrew Goudie, what was the approximate frequency of dust storms in Mauritania in the early 1960s compared to since 2007?
Answer: About 2 per year in the 1960s, increasing to approximately 80 per year since 2007.
Explanation: Geographer Andrew Goudie reported that dust storm frequency in Mauritania increased from about two per year in the early 1960s to approximately 80 per year since 2007.
How did Saharan dust levels in June 2007 potentially affect Atlantic hurricane activity?
Answer: They cooled Atlantic waters, potentially slightly reducing hurricane activity.
Explanation: The source suggests that high Saharan dust levels in June 2007 may have cooled Atlantic waters, potentially slightly reducing hurricane activity.
What does the source material reference regarding an image of Sydney during the 2009 Australian dust storm?
Answer: An image showing the city enveloped in dust.
Explanation: The source references an image that shows the city of Sydney enveloped in dust during the 2009 Australian dust storm.
Repeated dust storms can contribute to desertification and reduce agricultural productivity over time.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that repeated dust storms can lead to reduced agricultural productivity and contribute to desertification.
Poor management of drylands, such as neglecting the fallow system, can increase the frequency of dust storms and impact global climates.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates that neglecting the fallow system in dryland management can increase the size and frequency of dust storms, affecting local and global climates.
Dust storms primarily benefit agriculture by depositing nutrient-rich heavy particles, increasing soil fertility.
Answer: False
Explanation: While dust storms can have some beneficial effects, they primarily cause soil loss by removing organic matter and nutrient-rich *light* particles, reducing agricultural productivity. The beneficial deposits are typically mineral nutrients to rainforests or iron to oceans, not heavy particles for local soil fertility.
Central and South American rainforests receive significant mineral nutrients from Saharan dust, demonstrating a beneficial environmental effect of dust storms.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly mentions that Central and South American rainforests receive significant mineral nutrients from Saharan dust, highlighting a beneficial environmental effect.
Loess deposits are ancient accumulations of volcanic ash that form infertile soils.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source defines loess deposits as ancient accumulations of *dust storm material* that form *highly fertile* soils, not volcanic ash or infertile soils.
What are the long-term consequences of repeated dust storms on the environment and human activities?
Answer: Reduced agricultural productivity and desertification.
Explanation: The source states that long-term consequences of repeated dust storms include reduced agricultural productivity and contribution to desertification.
How does poor management of Earth's drylands contribute to dust storms and climate change?
Answer: By neglecting the fallow system, increasing dust storm frequency and size.
Explanation: The source explains that neglecting the fallow system in dryland management increases the size and frequency of dust storms, impacting climates.
What negative economic impact do dust storms have on agriculture?
Answer: They cause soil loss, reducing agricultural productivity and damaging young crops.
Explanation: The source states that dust storms cause soil loss, preferentially removing organic matter and nutrient-rich particles, which reduces agricultural productivity and damages young crops.
Which of the following is a beneficial environmental effect of dust storms mentioned in the text?
Answer: They provide mineral nutrients to rainforests and iron to ocean regions.
Explanation: The source mentions that dust storms provide mineral nutrients to rainforests and iron to ocean regions as beneficial environmental effects.
What are loess deposits, and what is their characteristic regarding soil fertility?
Answer: Ancient accumulations of dust storm material that form highly fertile soils.
Explanation: The source defines loess deposits as ancient accumulations of dust storm material that form highly fertile soils.
How do dust storms negatively affect transportation?
Answer: By significantly reducing visibility, affecting both aircraft and road transportation.
Explanation: The source states that dust storms significantly reduce visibility, thereby affecting both aircraft and road transportation.
Dust storms can contribute to the global spread of disease by carrying bacteria and fungus spores into the atmosphere.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates that dust storms increase the global spread of disease by blowing bacteria and fungus spores from the ground into the atmosphere.
Immediate health effects of desert dust exposure include improved lung function in individuals with asthma.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source states that immediate health effects include an *increase* in asthma symptoms and *worsening* lung function, not improvement.
Silicosis is an incurable condition that can result from prolonged exposure to dust storms and, if untreated, can lead to lung cancer.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source identifies silicosis as an incurable condition resulting from prolonged dust storm exposure, which, if untreated, can lead to asphyxiation and potentially lung cancer.
Inhaling large amounts of dust during a storm can lead to a condition known as dust pneumonia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that inhaling large amounts of dust can cause dust pneumonia.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or 'dry eyes,' is a minor, temporary irritation from dust storms that never leads to severe health issues.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or 'dry eyes,' can, in severe cases without proper treatment, result in blindness, implying it is not always minor or temporary.
How do dust storms contribute to the global spread of disease?
Answer: By blowing bacteria and fungus spores from the ground into the atmosphere.
Explanation: The source indicates that dust storms contribute to disease spread by blowing bacteria and fungus spores from the ground into the atmosphere.
What are the immediate health effects of exposure to desert dust mentioned in the text?
Answer: An immediate increase in asthma symptoms and worsening lung function.
Explanation: The source lists an immediate increase in asthma symptoms and worsening lung function as immediate health effects of desert dust exposure.
Which serious long-term health condition, if left untreated, can lead to asphyxiation and potentially lung cancer due to prolonged dust storm exposure?
Answer: Silicosis.
Explanation: The source identifies silicosis as an incurable long-term condition from prolonged dust storm exposure that can lead to asphyxiation and lung cancer if untreated.
What is one of the immediate health risks posed by dust storms, besides worsening lung function in asthmatics?
Answer: Increased mortality and morbidity, suggesting adverse effects on the circulatory system.
Explanation: The source mentions that long-transported dust from Saharan and Asian dust storms can lead to increased mortality and morbidity, suggesting adverse effects on the circulatory system, as an immediate health risk.
What long-term health condition, also known as 'dry eyes,' can result from prolonged exposure to dust storms and, in severe cases, lead to blindness?
Answer: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Explanation: The source identifies keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or 'dry eyes,' as a long-term health condition from prolonged dust storm exposure that can lead to blindness in severe cases.
Dust storms are a phenomenon exclusive to Earth's atmosphere.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source explicitly states that dust storms are not exclusive to Earth and have also been observed on Mars.
Martian dust storms can encircle the entire planet and have wind speeds comparable to Earth's hurricane-force winds.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Martian dust storms can encircle the planet, the source clarifies that due to Mars' significantly lower atmospheric pressure, their intensity can never reach Earth's hurricane-force winds.
Martian dust storms are primarily formed by solar heating warming the planet's atmosphere, causing air movement and dust lift.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that Martian dust storms form when solar heating warms the planet's atmosphere, leading to air movement and dust entrainment.
Besides Earth, on which other celestial body have dust storms been observed to form?
Answer: Mars.
Explanation: The source explicitly states that dust storms have been observed on Mars, in addition to Earth.
How do Martian dust storms compare to Earth's in terms of intensity, given Mars' atmospheric pressure?
Answer: Martian storms can never reach hurricane-force winds due to significantly lower atmospheric pressure.
Explanation: The source explains that due to Mars' significantly lower atmospheric pressure, Martian dust storms cannot reach the hurricane-force winds experienced on Earth, despite potentially covering larger areas.
What is the primary mechanism for the formation of dust storms on Mars?
Answer: Solar heating warming the atmosphere, causing air movement and dust lift.
Explanation: The source states that Martian dust storms form when solar heating warms the planet's atmosphere, causing air movement and lifting dust.