Question

15-test prep-water cycle study guide
what combination of processes from the water cycle is most likely to cause flooding?
○ low runoff, low evaporation, high transpiration
○ high runoff, low evaporation, low precipitation
○ low runoff, high infiltration, high condensation
○ high runoff, low infiltration, high transpiration

Explanation:

To determine the combination causing flooding, analyze each option:

• Flooding occurs with excess surface water. High runoff (water flowing over land) + low infiltration (water not soaking into ground) + high transpiration (not directly reducing surface water) leads to more water on the surface.
• Option 1: Low runoff reduces flooding.
• Option 2: Low precipitation should reduce flooding.
• Option 3: Low runoff and high infiltration reduce surface water.
• Option 4: High runoff (more surface water), low infiltration (less water absorbed), high transpiration (doesn't remove surface water) → likely to flood.

Answer:

The correct option is the one with "high runoff, low infiltration, high transpiration" (the fourth option in the list).