Geomorphology / Surface Processes – MCQs

1. The study of landforms, their processes, history, and origin is called:
(A) Geology
(B) Geomorphology
(C) Petrology
(D) Seismology

2. The main external force shaping Earth’s surface is:
(A) Volcanism
(B) Erosion
(C) Folding
(D) Faulting

3. The process of wearing away rocks by wind, water, and ice is known as:
(A) Deposition
(B) Weathering
(C) Erosion
(D) Transportation

4. The breaking down of rocks in situ without movement is called:
(A) Erosion
(B) Weathering
(C) Deposition
(D) Abrasion

5. Mechanical weathering occurs mainly due to:
(A) Chemical reactions
(B) Temperature changes and physical forces
(C) Biological activity only
(D) Sediment deposition

6. The decomposition of rocks due to chemical reactions is called:
(A) Physical weathering
(B) Chemical weathering
(C) Mechanical erosion
(D) Frost action

7. Which process involves freezing and thawing of water in rock cracks?
(A) Salt weathering
(B) Frost wedging
(C) Chemical oxidation
(D) Biological weathering

8. The downward movement of rock and soil under the influence of gravity is called:
(A) Weathering
(B) Mass wasting
(C) Erosion
(D) Deposition

9. A rapid downslope movement of rock and debris mixed with water is known as:
(A) Landslide
(B) Mudflow
(C) Rockfall
(D) Slump

10. Loess deposits are formed mainly by:
(A) Glaciers
(B) Wind
(C) Rivers
(D) Volcanic eruptions

11. The flat, low-lying land formed by river deposition near its mouth is called:
(A) Delta
(B) Alluvial fan
(C) Floodplain
(D) Terrace

12. The winding curve-like patterns in river channels are known as:
(A) Oxbow lakes
(B) Meanders
(C) Floodplains
(D) Braided channels

13. A cut-off meander forms:
(A) Delta
(B) Oxbow lake
(C) Levee
(D) Alluvial fan

14. Natural embankments along river channels are called:
(A) Terraces
(B) Dunes
(C) Levees
(D) Plateaus

15. The wearing down of surfaces by rock particles carried by wind or water is:
(A) Corrosion
(B) Abrasion
(C) Oxidation
(D) Weathering

16. Which landform is produced by glacial erosion?
(A) Delta
(B) U-shaped valley
(C) Alluvial fan
(D) Sand dune

17. A pyramid-shaped peak formed by glaciers is called:
(A) Cirque
(B) Arete
(C) Horn
(D) Moraine

18. The accumulation of glacial debris at the sides of glaciers is called:
(A) Terminal moraine
(B) Lateral moraine
(C) Medial moraine
(D) Ground moraine

19. Desert pavement forms due to:
(A) Wind deflation
(B) Water erosion
(C) Glacial erosion
(D) Volcanic activity

20. The crescent-shaped sand dunes formed by unidirectional wind are called:
(A) Parabolic dunes
(B) Barchan dunes
(C) Longitudinal dunes
(D) Transverse dunes

21. Which geomorphic agent is dominant in arid regions?
(A) Rivers
(B) Wind
(C) Glaciers
(D) Waves

22. Karst topography is associated with:
(A) Granite
(B) Limestone
(C) Basalt
(D) Sandstone

23. Stalactites grow from the:
(A) Floor of caves
(B) Ceiling of caves
(C) Walls of caves
(D) Outside caves

24. Stalagmites grow from the:
(A) Ceiling of caves
(B) Floor of caves
(C) Walls of caves
(D) Roof of mountains

25. Sinkholes are a characteristic feature of:
(A) Karst regions
(B) Volcanic regions
(C) Glacial valleys
(D) Floodplains

26. A cone-shaped deposit formed at the base of mountains is called:
(A) Delta
(B) Alluvial fan
(C) Floodplain
(D) Pediment

27. A wave-cut platform is formed by:
(A) Wind erosion
(B) River deposition
(C) Coastal erosion
(D) Glacial deposition

28. Sea arches and sea stacks are created by:
(A) Volcanic eruptions
(B) River erosion
(C) Wind deposition
(D) Wave erosion

29. Fiords are formed by:
(A) River valleys
(B) Glacial valleys submerged by sea
(C) Wind deflation
(D) Lava flow

30. Which of the following is an erosional coastal landform?
(A) Beach
(B) Spit
(C) Cliff
(D) Barrier island

31. The main agent responsible for shaping deserts is:
(A) Glaciers
(B) Waves
(C) Wind
(D) Rivers

32. Inselbergs are:
(A) Glacial deposits
(B) Isolated residual hills in deserts
(C) River terraces
(D) Volcanic cones

33. Pediplains are formed due to:
(A) Wind erosion
(B) Fluvial erosion
(C) Glacial erosion
(D) Coastal erosion

34. Which type of mass wasting involves slow downhill movement of soil?
(A) Creep
(B) Slump
(C) Rockfall
(D) Mudflow

35. The rapid sliding of a mass of rock down a slope is:
(A) Rockfall
(B) Landslide
(C) Creep
(D) Slump

36. Which river landform is formed due to vertical erosion?
(A) V-shaped valley
(B) Delta
(C) Levee
(D) Floodplain

37. Terraces along river valleys are formed due to:
(A) Continuous erosion and deposition
(B) Earthquakes
(C) Glacial movement
(D) Tectonic uplift

38. Braided river channels are formed due to:
(A) High sediment load
(B) Low sediment supply
(C) Strong winds
(D) Deep valleys

39. Which coastal feature forms by deposition?
(A) Spit
(B) Cliff
(C) Arch
(D) Stack

40. The process of wind lifting and removing fine particles from the surface is:
(A) Attrition
(B) Abrasion
(C) Deflation
(D) Corrosion

41. Yardangs are formed by:
(A) River erosion
(B) Glacial erosion
(C) Wind abrasion
(D) Coastal erosion

42. Moraine is associated with:
(A) Rivers
(B) Glaciers
(C) Deserts
(D) Oceans

43. Drumlin is a landform shaped by:
(A) Wind deposition
(B) Fluvial deposition
(C) Glacial deposition
(D) Volcanic activity

44. Roche moutonnée is formed by:
(A) Wind erosion
(B) Glacial erosion
(C) River erosion
(D) Coastal waves

45. Which process forms barrier islands?
(A) River erosion
(B) Coastal deposition
(C) Wind abrasion
(D) Tectonic uplift

46. Badlands topography is formed due to:
(A) Heavy rainfall erosion in soft rocks
(B) Wind deflation
(C) Glacier deposition
(D) Lava flow

47. Mesa and butte are erosional features found in:
(A) Desert regions
(B) Coastal plains
(C) Floodplains
(D) Karst areas

48. Which coastal landform acts as a natural harbor?
(A) Bay
(B) Spit
(C) Cliff
(D) Arch

49. Which geomorphic agent is most important in shaping humid tropical regions?
(A) Wind
(B) Glaciers
(C) Rivers
(D) Waves

50. Which geomorphic cycle explains the youth, maturity, and old age stages of landscapes?
(A) Plate tectonics cycle
(B) Davisian cycle of erosion
(C) Rock cycle
(D) Hydrological cycle