ERTH 101 - Midterm Exam 2

A ________ describes how, when a sedimentary layer is examined in cross-section laterally, various parts of the layer consist of different sediments accumulating next to each other in different environments of deposition. A. . Turbidity current B. . Facies C. Delta D. . Transitional environment

B. . Facies

You are an archaeologist researching artifacts left behind by Francisco Pizzaro's conquest of Peru in the 1530s. In order to confirm the authenticity of the leather artifacts, you are performing radiometric dating using an isotope pair that has a half-life of 250 years. In order for the artifacts to date back to the time of Pizzaro's conquest, approximately how much original radioactive isotope must be left in the artifacts? A. 50% B. 25% C. 75% D. 12.5%

B. 25%

Which of the following materials is not associated with shock metamorphism and meteorite impact sites? A. Coesite B. Blueschist C. Diamonds D. Tektites

B. Blueschist

Which acid is commonly responsible for the dissolution of limestone? A. Nitric B. Carbonic C. Sulfuric D. Hydrochloric

B. Carbonic

What kind of force will create foliation in metamorphic rocks? A. Tension B. Compression C. Shear D. Brittle

B. Compression

________ refers to the changes in shape or position of a rock body in response to differential stress. A. Stress B. Deformation C. Compression D. Brittle Failure

B. Deformation

________ weathering occurs when differences in resistance or environmental factors produce uneven surfaces on rocks. A. Chemical B. Differential C. Spheroidal D. Mechanical

B. Differential

Which tectonic boundary is associated with tensional stress? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Dip-Slip

B. Divergent

Which tectonic boundary would have many normal faults associated with it? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform

B. Divergent

You are sitting in class when professor Naumann begins talking about a dome with the inner layers dating back to the Tertiary and its outer layers dating back to the Permian. You immediately know this professor is wrong. What is your evidence? A. Domes don't have layers B. Domes have the oldest layers in the middle, not the youngest C. Now that we know the age of the layers, we would call it a syncline D. Domes didn't exist back then

B. Domes have the oldest layers in the middle, not the youngest

Unbending a paperclip wire is an example of what kind of deformation? A. Brittle deformation B. Ductile deformation C. Elastic deformation D. Shear deformation

B. Ductile deformation

As roots grow, the chemicals produced at the root tips can promote cementation, making the rocks stronger. A. True B. False

B. False

Soils can be eroded from distant sources and deposited in new locations. A. True B. False

B. False

Weathering is the transportation or removal of broken-down materials. A. True B. False

B. False

Which of the following is not an agent of erosion? A. Running Water B. Heat C. Ice D. Wind

B. Heat

Folds form in ________ temperature - ________ pressure environments. A. Low; low B. High; high C. High; low D. Low; high

B. High; high

_____________ used the Bible to construct a chronology to date the creation of the Earth to 4,000 B.C. A. Isaac Newton B. James Ussher C. Charles Lyell D. Charles Darwin

B. James Ussher

What is correlation? A. Dividing up rock layers into new ones based on mineral content B. Matching up rocks of similar age in different regions C. Putting events in order from first to last D. Matching up continental coasts based on matching shapes

B. Matching up rocks of similar age in different regions

If clay minerals were buried at a depth where subsurface temperatures exceed 200°C, which mineral are they likely to become? A. Quartz B. Muscovite C. Amphibole D. Plagioclase

B. Muscovite

Which of the following best describes the age relationship of the layers in an anticline? A. Oldest on the outside of the fold, youngest on the inside B. Oldest on the inside of the fold, youngest on the outside C. Oldest materials thrust up on top of younger layers D. Horizontal bedding with the youngest layers on the top

B. Oldest on the inside of the fold, youngest on the outside

________ is a term used to define 88% of Earth's history prior to the start of the Paleozoic Era. A. Quaternary B. Precambrian C. Paleogene D. Jurassic

B. Precambrian

________ is a technique where the decay rate of radioactive isotopes is measured and used to determine the age of a geologic material. A. Electron Capture B. Radiometric Dating C. Ion Exchange D. Half-Life

B. Radiometric Dating

Which rock type can contain fossils? A. Metamorphic Rocks B. Sedimentary Rocks C. Minerals D. Igneous Rocks

B. Sedimentary Rocks

Which of the following is not a metamorphic facies? A. Greenschist B. Staurolite C. Eclogite D. Granulite

B. Staurolite

Which of the following represents the single most common and characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks? A. Crystalline texture B. Strata C. Cross-bedding D. Mudcracks

B. Strata

A ________ fault has a vertical fault plane and shows movement parallel to the orientation of the fault. A. Reverse B. Strike-Slip C. Thrust D. Normal

B. Strike-Slip

The Principle of ________ states that the oldest beds are on the bottom and younger beds are on top in a stack of sedimentary rocks. A. Correlation B. Superposition C. Fossil Succession D. Lateral Continuity

B. Superposition

Which environment would be likely to produce a black shale? A. Eolian dunes B. Swamp C. Shallow marine bay D. Forest

B. Swamp

How many hinge lines does a monocline have? A. One v C. Three D. Four

B. Two

Which of the following regions is not likely to experience weathering via salt crystal growth? A. Arid deserts B. Rocky shorelines along the ocean C. Subterranean cave passages D. Roadways cleared of snow through the spread of sodium chloride

C. Subterranean cave passages

________ is the upper few feet of regolith that contains minerals and organic matter, water, and air and is capable of sustaining life. A. Horizon B. Humus C. Soil D. Sediment

C. Soil

________ describes the range in particle sizes in a detrital sedimentary rock. A. Size B. Cementation C. Sorting D. Shape

C. Sorting

________ is the compass direction of the line produced by the intersection of an inclined rock layer with a horizontal plane. A. Dip B. Angle C. Strike D. Plunge

C. Strike

What is a fault? A. A fracture in a rock along which motion has occurred B. A stress fracture created by rocks stretching and pulling apart near the surface C. A solution pathway created by carbonic acid D. Foliation in a rock that acts as a plane of weakness

A. A fracture in a rock along which motion has occurred

What is an isotope? A. An atom that has more or fewer neutrons than it should B. An atom that has more or fewer electrons than it should C. An atom that has double the protons of a stable atom D. A nucleus of an atom that has split during the decay process

A. An atom that has more or fewer neutrons than it should

A pencil being broken is an example of what kind of deformation? A. Brittle deformation B. Ductile deformation C. Elastic deformation D. Shear deformation

A. Brittle deformation

The Principle of ________ states that changes in the Earth's crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events. A. Catastrophism B. Plate Tectonics C. Creationism D. Uniformitarianism

A. Catastrophism

Generally speaking, how is the chemical composition of most metamorphic rocks going to compare to that of the parent rock? A. Chemical compositions will be nearly the same B. In order to be a metamorphic rock, the chemical composition must change by 50% C. There will be a complete compositional change D. Chemical composition is not necessary to understand metamorphic rocks

A. Chemical compositions will be nearly the same

Which style of metamorphism will be generated by a mantle plume? A. Contact B. Hydrothermal C. Burial D. Regional

A. Contact

Which tectonic boundary is associated with compressional stress? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform D. Dip-Slip

A. Convergent

Which tectonic boundary is associated with regional metamorphism? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Dip-Slip D. Transform

A. Convergent

Which tectonic boundary would have many thrust faults and folds associated with it? A. Convergent B. Divergent C. Transform

A. Convergent

________ is the angle of inclination of the surface of a rock unit measured from a horizontal plane. A. Dip B. Faulting C. Strike D. Plunge

A. Dip

What is a fossil? A. Evidence of past life that can include skeletal as well as trace material B. Only the hard parts of a skeletal structure that have been preserved C. Mudcracks preserved in sedimentary rock D. A really old geologist like Dr. Naumann!

A. Evidence of past life that can include skeletal as well as trace material

During hydrolysis, ________ commonly decomposes into clay minerals, silica, and soluble constituents. A. Feldspars B. Halides C. Ferromagnesians D. Carbonates

A. Feldspars

In a warm, wet climate which rock type will be the most resistant to weathering? A. Granite B. Limestone

A. Granite

________ The most effective method to widen pre-existing joints in rocks is by_____________ wedging. A. Ice B. Salt C. Feldspar D. Root

A. Ice

Which rock type or combination of rock types makes up 90-95% of the outer 16 km of the crust? A. Igneous Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks B. Sedimentary Rocks and Igneous Rocks C. Igneous Rocks D. Sedimentary Rocks

A. Igneous Rocks and Metamorphic Rocks

________ processes such as evaporation and chemical activity can precipitate chemical sediments. A. Inorganic B. Detrital C. Cementation D. Biological

A. Inorganic

What does "zoic" in the eras of the Geologic Time Scale refer to? A. Life B. Water C. Rock D. Fossilization

A. Life

Which of the following is the parent rock for marble? A. Limestone B. Conglomerate C. Granite D. Sandstone

A. Limestone

Which rock is the most abundant chemical sedimentary rock? A. Limestone B. Dolomite C. Rock Gypsum D. Chert

A. Limestone

Physical rotation of platy minerals will contribute most to the development of foliation ________ grade metamorphism. A. Low B. Medium C. Medium-High D. High

A. Low

The iron in basaltic lavas is most susceptible to which type of chemical weathering? A. Oxidation B. Hydration C. Hydrolysis D. Dissolution

A. Oxidation

What is the definition of relative dating? A. Putting events in order from first to last B. Using radioactive materials to determine an age C. Counting tree rings to determine an age D. Calculating dates based on the theory of relativity

A. Putting events in order from first to last

________ is when new mineral grains form as a result of metamorphic heat that are larger than the original mineral grains. A. Recrystallization B. Foliation C. Dissolution D. Metasomatism

A. Recrystallization

Which of the following does not describe the texture of nonclastic chemical sedimentary rocks? A. Sandy B. Amorphous C. Microcrystalline D. Crystalline

A. Sandy

Which of the following rocks will be most resistant to weathering? A. Solid bedrock B. Jointed bedrock C. Bedrock with solution weathering D. Bedrock with sheeting

A. Solid bedrock

How will tensional force change a rock body? A. Stretch and thin the rock B. Fracture the rock and grind the pieces along side each other C. Shorten and thicken the rock D. The rock will not change

A. Stretch and thin the rock

Which type of fault was responsible for the devastation associated with the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco? A. Strike Slip B. Normal C. Reverse D. Thrust

A. Strike Slip

What is the definition of a parent rock? A. The rock that was altered by metamorphism B. The resulting precipitate when water dissolves mineral matter C. The rock produced by metamorphism D. The igneous rock forming through solidification of magma

A. The rock that was altered by metamorphism

What is diagenesis? A. The textural, compositional, and other changes that occur to sediments after deposition B. The change from a sedimentary rock to a metamorphic rock C. The weathering of carbonate rock due to dissolution D. The two-stage cooling process that creates porphyritic rocks

A. The textural, compositional, and other changes that occur to sediments after deposition

Chemical weathering will break down a rock by changing the molecular compounds that make-up of the rock. A. True B. False

A. True

Water expands when it freezes. A. True B. False

A. True

The oldest materials on Earth are _______________ that date back to 4.28 billion years old and were found in western Australia. A. zircon crystals B. fossils C. meteorites D. quartz crystals

A. zircon crystals

If 235U has 92 protons, how many neutrons does it have? A. 25 B. 92 C. 143 D. 235

C. 143

What is the age of the oldest rocks discovered on the planet? A. 6,000 years old B. 4.600 million years old C. 3.96 billion years old D. 4.650 billion years old

C. 3.96 billion years old

________ metamorphism tends to occur in regions where massive amounts of sedimentary or volcanic materials accumulate in a subsiding basin. A. Contact B. Hydrothermal C. Burial D. Regional

C. Burial

Rainwater will combine with which atmospheric gas in order to create carbonic acid? A. Methane B. Oxygen C. Carbon Dioxide D. Carbon Monoxide

C. Carbon Dioxide

A(n) ________ is a type of unconformity with parallel beds above and below the erosional surface. A. Fossil conformity B. Nonconformity C. Disconformity D. Angular unconformity

C. Disconformity

A rubber band being stretched in preparation to fire across the room is an example of what kind of deformation? A. Brittle deformation B. Ductile deformation C. Elastic deformation D. Shear deformation

C. Elastic deformation

The Principle of ________ states that organisms succeed one another in a definite, determinable order that can be used to recognize a specific time period. A. Correlation B. Superposition C. Fossil Succession D. Lateral Continuity

C. Fossil Succession

When correlating rock between widely separated areas or between continents, what feature do geologists rely on the most? A. Rock type B. Sedimentary structures C. Fossils D. Mineral content

C. Fossils

Which of the following methods of transportation will result in the coarsest sorting (poorest sorting)? A. Streams B. Wind C. Glaciers D. Waves on a beach

C. Glaciers

________ was in important 18th century scientist who developed the idea of Uniformitarianism to explain the slow, steady changes responsible for shaping the Earth. A. Charles Lyell B. Isaac Newton C. James Hutton D. Charles Darwin

C. James Hutton

________ is the process where sediments are converted into a sedimentary rock. A. Diagenesis B. Imbrication C. Lithification D. Crystallization

C. Lithification

________ is the process where a rock changes form or mineral content as a result of environmental changes such as heat and pressure. A. Rifting B. Precipitation C. Metamorphism D. Foliation

C. Metamorphism

Which of the following is not an environment of metamorphism? A. Metamorphism from contact with a hot magma body B. Metamorphism as the result of hot fluids coming off a diapir C. Metamorphism as the result of slow cooling of magma D. Metamorphism in a subduction zone

C. Metamorphism as the result of slow cooling of magma

The primary basis for classifying detrital sedimentary rocks is ________ whereas the primary basis for classifying igneous rocks is ________. A. Particle size; particle alignments B. Sorting; density C. Particle shape and sorting; mineral composition and size D. Crystalline structure; Sorting

C. Particle shape and sorting; mineral composition and size

________ is the primary source of organic matter in soils. A. Earthworms B. Microorganisms C. Plants D. Animals

C. Plants

What environmental condition is reduced on a batholith in order to generate weathering via sheeting? A. Heat B. Moisture C. Pressure D. Mineral content

C. Pressure

A ________ fault is created when the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall. A. Strike-Slip B. Normal C. Reverse D. Graben

C. Reverse

Compaction will be the most significant lithification process for which of the following rocks? A. Arkose B. Conglomerate C. Shale D. Sandstone

C. Shale

Which of the following scenarios best describes the formation of hornfels? A. Mudstones are metamorphosed by directed pressure B. Granite is melted and recrystallized C. Shales and mudstones are baked during contact metamorphism D. Phyllite is altered by contact with hydrothermal fluids

C. Shales and mudstones are baked during contact metamorphism

Which of the following makes up the sediment that forms an organic sedimentary rock? A. Gravel and sand B. Weathered ions C. Shells and plant fibers D. Dissolved minerals

C. Shells and plant fibers

How will compressional force change a rock body? A. Stretch and thin the rock B. Fracture the rock and grind the pieces along side each other C. Shorten and thicken the rock D. The rock will not change

C. Shorten and thicken the rock

Which of the following lists of metamorphic rocks places the rocks in order from lowest metamorphic grade to highest? A. Gneiss, Slate, Phyllite, Schist B. Anthracite, Hornfels, Quartzite, Marble C. Slate, Phyllite, Schist, Gneiss D. Ironstone, Sandstone, Slate, Gneiss

C. Slate, Phyllite, Schist, Gneiss

What is the definition of metasomatism? A. The rearrangement of ions already present due to changes in heat B. The lengthening of mineral crystals due to directed pressure C. The change in chemical composition because hot fluids are bringing or removing ions D. The more compact organization of mineral crystals due to confining pressure

C. The change in chemical composition because hot fluids are bringing or removing ions

What is the definition of a half-life? A. The parent isotope half of a radiometric dating pair B. Half the time it takes for the parent isotope to decay to the daughter C. The time it takes for half of the parent isotope to decay to the daughter D. Half of the alpha particles necessary to decay at a steady rate

C. The time it takes for half of the parent isotope to decay to the daughter

Which of the following methods of transportation will result in the best degree of sorting? A. Streams B. Waves on a beach C. Wind D. Glaciers

C. Wind

________ weathering is when there is a molecular transformation of rock into other compounds.

Chemical

What is the accepted age of the Earth? A. 6,000 years B. 1 million years C. 4.6 million years D. 4.6 billion years

D. 4.6 billion years

What is a metamorphic facies? A. A mineral that forms at specific metamorphic conditions and can be used to determine the metamorphic grade B. Textural transitions based on the direction and amount of pressure C. Zones of contact metamorphism along an intrusive igneous rock D. An assemblage of minerals that form in very similar metamorphic environments

D. An assemblage of minerals that form in very similar metamorphic environments

A(n) ________ is a type of unconformity with tilted beds below and parallel beds above the erosional surface. A. Fossil conformity B. Nonconformity C. Disconformity D. Angular unconformity

D. Angular unconformity

A ________ is a circular fold where the youngest layers are in the middle and the oldest layers are on the outside. A. Syncline B. Monocline C. Dome D. Basin

D. Basin

A ________ marks the end of one episode of sedimentation and the beginning of another. A. Ripplemark B. Graded beds C. Cross-bedding D. Bedding plane

D. Bedding plane

Soil develops in response to interactions between which Earth spheres? A. Hydrosphere and Atmosphere B. Geosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere C. Geosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere D. Biosphere, Atmosphere, Geosphere, and Hydrosphere

D. Biosphere, Atmosphere, Geosphere, and Hydrosphere

Which era are we currently in? A. Mesozoic B. Precambrian C. Paleozoic D. Cenozoic

D. Cenozoic

Which of the following best describes interbedded gypsum and halite? A. Detrital sedimentary rocks B. Biochemical sedimentary rocks C. Dolomite and limestone D. Evaporite sedimentary rocks

D. Evaporite sedimentary rocks

Which of the following rocks represents the highest grade of metamorphism? A. Biotite Schist B. Slate C. Phyllite D. Gneiss

D. Gneiss

________ is decayed remains of plant and animal life. A. Regolith B. Hummus C. Amino Acids D. Humus

D. Humus

Which chemical weathering process is the primary method of weathering for feldspars? A. Dissolution B. Oxidation C. Frost Wedging D. Hydrolysis

D. Hydrolysis

________ is a biochemical sedimentary rock that often forms in carbonate reefs. A. Rock Salt B. Chert C. Bituminous Coal D. Limestone

D. Limestone

Faults form in ________ temperature - ________ pressure environments. A. Low; low B. High; high C. High; low D. Low; high

D. Low; high

________ are tiny "seed" particles created when small sediments or shell fragments are rolled by waves in water supersaturated with calcium carbonate. A. Nodules B. Cave pearls C. Bryozoans D. Ooids

D. Ooids

What is an index fossil? A. Organisms that existed for a vast period of time and are representative of an era B. Organisms that are restricted to one small, geographic setting C. Trace fossils that define a colony of organisms D. Organisms that were geographically widespread but limited to a short span of geologic time

D. Organisms that were geographically widespread but limited to a short span of geologic time

________ is the scientific study of fossils. A. Quaternary Geology B. Volcanology C. Geomorphology D. Paleontology

D. Paleontology

How will strike and dip marks be oriented on the geologic map of a nonplunging syncline? A. Parallel dips with strikes pointing away from the center of the fold B. Strikes ringing the fold with the dips pointing toward the center C. Strikes intersecting, but no dips because of horizontal layering D. Parallel strikes with dips pointing away from the center of the fold

D. Parallel strikes with dips pointing away from the center of the fold

The primary basis for classifying detrital rocks is ________ whereas the primary basis for classifying chemical rocks is ________. A. Particle shape; trace elements B. Sorting; density C. Crystalline structure; Sorting D. Particle size; mineral composition

D. Particle size; mineral composition

Metamorphic rocks can sometimes contain unusually large grains surrounded by a fine-grained matrix of other minerals. These large crystals are called ________. A. Vesicles B. Phenocrysts C. Inclusions D. Porphyroblasts

D. Porphyroblasts

Which minerals are the main constituents in most sedimentary rocks? A. Calcite and Silica B. Micas and Feldspars C. Orthoclase and Plagioclase D. Quartz and Clay Minerals

D. Quartz and Clay Minerals

Which of the following is not an example of foliation? A. Parallel alignment of flattened mineral grains or pebbles B. Compositional banding in which the separation of light and dark minerals creates a layered appearance C. Rock cleavage where rocks can be easily split into tabular slabs D. Recrystallization of elongated minerals parallel to the direction of greatest stress

D. Recrystallization of elongated minerals parallel to the direction of greatest stress

________ is a widespread type of metamorphism typically associated with mountain building. A. Pyrometamorphism B. Burial metamorphism C. Shock metamorphism D. Regional metamorphism

D. Regional metamorphism

What is foliation? A. Intergrown mineral crystals formed from cooling magma B. Randomly oriented mineral crystals placed due to confining pressure C. Thin, parallel layers of clay sediments that have been compressed D. Roughly parallel layers of mineral crystals aligned perpendicular to the direction of pressure

D. Roughly parallel layers of mineral crystals aligned perpendicular to the direction of pressure

Which of the following best describes the appearance and composition of a conglomerate? A. Angular fragments; poorly sorted B. Rounded fragments; well sorted C. Angular fragments; well sorted D. Rounded fragments; poorly sorted

D. Rounded fragments; poorly sorted

Which of the following is the parent rock for quartzite? A. Limestone B. Conglomerate C. Granite D. Sandstone

D. Sandstone

________ are fragments of pre-existing materials that have been broken down through the processes of weathering. A. Crystals B. Fibers C. Sedimentary Rocks D. Sediments

D. Sediments

Which low-grade metamorphic rock will display fine rock cleavage and contains very fine grains of mica? A. Schist B. Gneiss C. Anthracite D. Slate

D. Slate

Which of the following is the best description for structural geology? A. Study of intergrown mineral crystals in igneous rocks B. Study of sequences of sedimentary rocks and how their environments of deposition dictate how sediments are laid down C. Study of earthquakes and how they move through the Earth's interior D. Study of rock deformation in response to tectonic forces

D. Study of rock deformation in response to tectonic forces

How will the outcrop pattern of rock layers be oriented in the case of a plunging syncline? A. The layers will close to a point in the direction of plunge B. The layers will be oriented parallel to each other C. The layers will intersect at right angles D. The layers will open up in the direction of plunge

D. The layers will open up in the direction of plunge

The Principle of ________ states that the physical, chemical, and biological processes at work shaping the Earth today have also operated in the geologic past. A. Catastrophism B. Plate Tectonics C. Creationism D. Uniformitarianism

D. Uniformitarianism

Which climate contains the optimum environment for chemical weathering? A. Cold and dry B. Warm and dry C. Cold and wet D. Warm and wet

D. Warm and wet

What is the most important agent of chemical weathering? A. Salt B. Heat C. Wind D. Water

D. Water

Which of the following locations is famous for its oil-bearing Permian limestone reef? A. Illinois Basin B. Central Florida C. Niagara Escarpment in eastern Wisconsin D. West Texas/Southeastern New Mexico

D. West Texas/Southeastern New Mexico

________weathering is when physical forces break solid rock into smaller sediments.

Mechanical