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Davis Cycle of Erosion Geography | Geomorphology | MCQ and Practice Set

 1. Who is known as the "Father of the Geographical Cycle of Erosion"?

a) Walther Penck

b) L.C. King

c) W.M. Davis

d) Arthur Holmes


Answer: (c) W.M. Davis

1. W.M. Davis (1899), an American geographer, proposed the Geographical Cycle of Erosion based on his study of the Appalachian Mountains.

 2. Due to his contribution, this period is also known as the golden era of American Geomorphology. 

3. Davis is also known as the Father of American Geomorphology.


2. According to Davis, landscape development is a function of:

a) Climate, vegetation, and soil

b) Structure, Process, and Time

c) Relief, rainfall, and temperature

d) Erosion, deposition, and weathering


Answer: (b) Structure, Process, and Time

Structure, Process, and Time is known as Davis' Trio in the erosional cycle.


3. What is considered the final stage of Davis' Cycle of Erosion?

a) Pediplain

b) Delta

c) Peneplain

d) Monadnock


Answer: (c) Peneplain

In the old stage, prolonged erosion reduces relief and forms an almost level surface called a Peneplain.


4. Which sequence correctly represents the stages of Davis' erosion cycle?

a) Mature → Youth → Old

b) Youth → Mature → Old

c) Old → Youth → Mature

d) Youth → Old → Mature


Answer: (b) Youth → Mature → Old

Davis visualized landforms evolving through three successive stages: Youth, Maturity, and Old Age.


5. Which landform is most characteristic of the youthful stage?

a) Flood Plain

b) Meander

c) V-shaped Valley

d) Peneplain


Answer: (c) V-shaped Valley

During youth, vertical erosion dominates, producing deep, narrow V-shaped valleys.


6. In which stage of Davis' Cycle does lateral erosion become more important than vertical erosion?

a) Youthful Stage

b) Mature Stage

c) Old Stage

d) Initial Uplift Stage


Answer: (b) Mature Stage

During maturity, river valleys widen due to increased lateral erosion and reduced gradients.


7. According to Davis, landform evolution occurs mainly through:

a) Slope Replacement

b) Slope Retreat

c) Slope Decline

d) Pedimentation


Answer: (c) Slope Decline

Davis believed slopes gradually become gentler with time, a concept known as Slope Decline.


8. Which of the following is an example of the old stage in India according to the Davisian interpretation?

a) Himalayas

b) Western Ghats

c) Indian Peninsular Plateau

d) Aravalli Rift Valley


Answer: (c) Indian Peninsular Plateau

The Indian Peninsula is often cited as representing an advanced stage of denudation with subdued relief.


9. Which assumption of Davis' model has been most criticized by modern geomorphologists?

a) Existence of rivers

b) Sudden uplift followed by erosion

c) Role of gravity

d) Presence of valleys


Answer: (b) Sudden uplift followed by erosion

Davis assumed rapid uplift and that erosion begins only after uplift ends, which is considered unrealistic because uplift and erosion usually occur simultaneously.


10. Which geomorphologist strongly criticized Davis' emphasis on time and proposed continuous uplift instead?

a) Arthur Holmes

b) J.T. Wilson

c) Walther Penck

d) Harry Hess


Answer: (c) Walther Penck

Penck argued that uplift and denudation operate simultaneously and emphasized the importance of tectonic activity rather than stage-based evolution.



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