Flood

Floods can result from rain, rivers, storm surge, or dam failure. This topic is part of Earth Science within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 24 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.

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Flood trivia questions

A flood occurs when water covers land that is usually what?

Answer: Dry

Bonus fact: Floods can result from rain, rivers, storm surge, or dam failure.

What flat area beside a river is naturally prone to flooding?

Answer: Floodplain

Bonus fact: Floodplains receive overflow during high river stages.

What structural barrier is built along rivers to reduce flooding?

Answer: Levee

Bonus fact: Levees help contain high water within channels.

An earthquake, hurricane, or flood that causes severe damage can be called what?

Answer: Disaster

Bonus fact: Disasters are serious disruptions that cause widespread human, economic, or environmental losses.

River floodplains often become fertile because floods deposit what?

Answer: Silt

Bonus fact: Fine mineral sediment can enrich soils.

Why are flash floods a major canyoning hazard?

Answer: Narrow canyons can fill with water rapidly

Bonus fact: Steep drainage basins can funnel sudden runoff into confined channels.

A flood barrier is designed to hold back what?

Answer: Water

Bonus fact: Flood barriers protect land and structures.

What is a temporary flood barrier commonly made from?

Answer: Sandbags

Bonus fact: Sandbags can be stacked to redirect floodwater.

A levee is what type of flood-control structure?

Answer: Raised embankment

Bonus fact: Levees confine rivers during high water.

What risk can arise if a levee fails during a major flood?

Answer: Rapid flooding of protected land

Bonus fact: Communities behind levees may be below flood level.

What type of estuary forms when rising sea level floods an existing river valley?

Answer: Drowned river valley estuary

Bonus fact: Many North American coastal-plain estuaries formed after the last ice age.

Which band released "Wake of the Flood"?

Answer: Grateful Dead

Bonus fact: Released in 1973, it was the first Grateful Dead studio album on the band's own record label.

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