Geology 100 Final Exam
12. _________________ dating is based on isotopic dating techniques. A. Relative B. Numerical C. Relative and numerical
B. Absolute
5. What large chunk of geologic time is characterized by the lack of easy to find fossils? A. Phanerozoic B. Paleozoic C. Precambrian D. Archean E. Hadean
C. Precambrian
1. What is the most common material found in Sandstone? A.feldspar B. Basalt C. Quartz D. Lithic fragments E. Zircon
C. Quartz
7. Which of the following is not associated with karst regions? A. Sinking creeks B. Rock towers C. Sinkhole D. Caverns E. Meandering flood plains
C. Sinkholes
6. Which mineral group is an important source of copper, lead, and zinc ore? A. Sulfates B. Native elements C. Sulfides D. Phosphates E. Oxides
C. Sulfides
3. Why are objective observation so important to science? A. They are 100% free bias B. They can be stated by anyone C. They are helpful in removing bias D. They can only be done by trained scientists E. They produce the numbers used in scientific calculations
C. They are helpful in removing bias
9. A line of shallow earthquakes with little or no volcanism is likely evidence of what type of plate boundary? A. Ocean-continent convergent B. Ocean-ocean convergent C. Transform D. Fast-rifting divergent E. Slow-rifting divergent
C. Transform
17. Which of these is a product of desert weathering? A. Mud cracks B. Cross bedding C. Varnish D. Loess E. Karst
C. Varnish
12. When does groundwater mining occur? A.when the rate of recharge exceeds that of groundwater discharge B. When springs decrease in flow and plants cease to use groundwater C. When the rate of discharge exceeds that of groundwater recharge D. When precious minerals are discovered within a groundwater aquifer E. When wells pump from an aquifer at a continuous rate
C. When the rate of discharge exceeds that of groundwater recharge
11. Which of the following will not increase erosion of sediment in the headwaters of a stream? A. Lowering of baselevel B. steeper gradient due to uplift C. smaller drainage area D. an increase in velocity
C. smaller drainage area
8. What makes shale different than a mudstone? A. Darker colored B. Different minerals C. Denser D. Thinly bedded E. Depositional environment
D.thinly bedded
16. Which of these desert landforms would most likely be associated with salt flats? A. Ephemeral stream B. Inselberg C. Arroyo D. Barchan E. Playa
E. Playa
10. In a desert region, what is the absolute limit to the water budget? A. Average precipitation B. Presence of springs C. Permeability of surface rocks D. Nature and abundance of vegetation E. Human population growth
A. Average precipitation
7. Which of the following is NOT formed from natural version of sandblasting? A. Blowout B. Ventifact C. Yardage
A. Blowout
9. Cleave is a result of __________________ in a mineral's atomic structure. A. Hardness B. Strength C. Carbon D. Softness E. Weakness
E. Weakness
24. Which of the following types of metamorphism result in distinct foliation? A. Directed stress B. Non-directed stress C. Confining pressure D. Heat from pluton E. Hydrothermal fluids
A. Directed stress
2. Because of the Coriolis Effect in the Southern Hemisphere, low pressure systems like hurricanes rotate in which direction? A. Clockwise B. Downwards C. Counterclockwise D. To the right E. Upwards
A. Clockwise
10. Which of the following is not a biochemical sedimentary rock? A.coal B. Coquina C. Chalk D. Fossiliferous limestone
A. Coal
13. Where the stream velocity increases along a cut ban, what also increases? A. Erosion B. Discharge C. Deposition D. Base level E. Gradient
A. Erosion
1. Which of the following is NOT necessary to define an aquifer? A. High permeability B. High porosity C. Contains drinkable water D. Has a confining layer
D. Has a confining layer
12. Explosive silica-rich volcanoes will be located mostly at __________________. A. Convergent boundaries with subtraction zones B. Divergent boundaries of the east African rift C. Oceanic hotspot volcanic chains D. Divergent boundaries of the mirror ocean ridge E. Convergent plate boundaries with continental to Continental plate collision
A. Convergent boundaries with subtraction zones
3. What percentage of water is fresh surface water? A. 10.2% B. 0.12% C. 1.2% D. 50% E. 3.5%
1.2%
6. Where do igneous rocks with a coarse grained (phaneritic) texture form? A. Deep under the surface B. Close to the surface but also just below it C. Contact with water D. On top of the surface after being ejected into the air E. On top of the surface
A. Deep under the surface
17. Which of the following depositional environment has the least water? A. Aeolian B. Lacustrine C, alluvial D. Shoreface E. Littoral
A. Aeolian
2. A(n) __________________ is confined to a long, narrow valley located in the mountainous areas especially closer to the poles. A. Alpine glacier B. Ice sheet C. Continental glacier D. Mountainous glacier
A. Alpine glacier
1. Which of the following is NOT a glacier? A. An iceberg B. The Antarctic ice sheet C. The Greenland ice sheet D, the laurentide ice sheet E. Flowing valley ice
A. An iceberg
5. What persistent behavior of waves produces longshore drift? A. Angle that waves hit the shoreline B. Speed of the waves C. The number of waves in the wave train D. Wavelength of waves E. Fetch of the waves
A. Angle that waves hit the shoreline
13. What is the tectonic process responsible for the general shape of the Great Basin? A. Extension and stretching of the lithosphere B. Isostatic sinking after the melting of glaciers C. Subduction zone convergence D. Hot spot activity beneath the region E. Continental collision between eastern North America and western North America since the closing of the Cretaceous midcontinent seaway
A. Extension and stretching of the lithosphere
18. A bed With a mix of sandstone and conglomerate sedimentary rocks with ripple marks, cross bed, and or freshwater microfossil likely formed in which depositional environment? A. Fluvial B. Alluvial C. Upper shoreface D. Lagoonal E. Lower shoreface
A. Fluvial
18. Why are fossils so uncommon in older rocks? A. Hard parts had not developed yet B. Life did not exist until recently C. Organisms too small to find D, organisms look like minerals E, more old rocks available
A. Hard parts had not developed yet
29. What is the difference between heat and temperature? A. Heat is thermal energy; temperature is vibrational (kinetic) energy of atoms B. Heat is produced by radioactivity; temperature is produced by solar energy C. Heat is measured by a thermometer; temperature is measured by a heat meter D. Heat is produced by solar energy; temperature is produced by radioactivity E. Heat is a constant quantity; temperature depends on the age of the rock
A. Heat is thermal energy; temperature is vibrational (kinetic) energy of atoms
2. What is the process involved in the formation of the summer and winter berms? A. Higher storm energy in the winter moves sand off the beach and stores it in the nearshore B. Winter waves hit the beach at greater angles than summer waves C. Larger summer crowds pack the summer sand down tighter D, winter rip currents carry streams of sand offshore E. Neap tides combine with longshore currents more in the summer time, less in the winter time
A. Higher storm energy in the winter moves sand off the beach and stores it in the nearshore
23. Which of these would likely produce the most reliable absolute age of formation from radio metric dating techniques? A. Igneous rock B. Low-grade metamorphic C. Sediments D. Sedimentary rock E. High-grade metamorphic
A. Igneous rock
15. Which volcanic Hazard is least likely to create injury or death? A. Lava flow B. Pyroclastic flow C. Ash fall D. Lahar E. Landslide
A. Lava flow
24. What is correlation? A. Matching up rocks of similar properties in different regions B. Matching up continental coasts based on matching shapes C. Putting events in order from last to first D. Putting events in order from first to last E. Dividing up rock layers into new ones based on mineral content
A. Matching up rocks of similar properties in different regions
8. Which of the following luster descriptions is a common starting point for mineral identification? A. Metallic / non-metallic B. Glassy / non-glassy C. Metallic / submetallic D. Vitreous / non-vitreous E. Earthy / dull
A. Metallic / non-metallic
13. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have a different number of ________________ in their nucleus. A. Neutrons B. Protons C. Electrons D. Dougons
A. Neutrons
5. What is the name of a volcanic hazard composed of hot gases and lapalli that runs downhill at tremendous speed (perhaps > 100mph)? A. Pyroclastic flow B. Cinder flow C. Lava flow D. Ash flow E. Lahar flow
A. Pyroclastic flow
21. How can you distinguish metamorphic quartzite from sedimentary sandstone. A. Quartzite. Breaks across the grains while sandstone breaks around the grains B. Quartzite is very hard (greater than 7) while sandstone is quite soft( less than 3) C. Quartzite fizzes with acid while sandstone does not D. Quartzite is foliated while sandstone is nonfoliated E. Quartzite is always much darker in color than sandstone
A. Quartzite. Breaks across the grains while sandstone breaks around the grains
11. The Geologic Time Scale is a worldwide _________________ time scale divided into eons, eras, periods, and epochs. A. Relative B. Numerical C. Relative and numerical
A. Relative
2. ______________ places rocks and geologic events in a relative sequence of formation. A. Relative age dating B. Absolute age dating C. Relative and absolute age dating
A. Relative age dating
2. Why do scientist prefer quantitive data? A. Reveal trends and used in calculations B. The data lasts longer and can be stored better C. Give a higher degree of certainty D. Easier to look at and think about E. More aesthetically pleasing
A. Reveal trends and used in calculations
20. Which of the following does NOT influence the formation of a sand dune? A. Sediment composition B. Vegetation C. Sediment supply D, wind direction
A. Sediment composition
27. Which of these would likely produce the LEAST reliable absolute age of a rock from radio metric dating techniques? A. Sedimentary rock B. Extrusive Igneous rock C. Intrusive igneous rock D. High-grade metamorphic rocks E. Low-grade metamorphic rocks
A. Sedimentary rocks
12 which dune shape indicates the most wind directions? A. Star B. Barchan C. Longitudinal D. Crescent E. Parabolic
A. Star
10. Which of the four seasons controls the glacial budget and is most responsible for glacial advance and retreat? A. Summer B. Fall C. Winter D. Spring
A. Summer
8. Which of the following best explains why igneous intrusions may contain fragments of older rock? A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
A. The Principle of Inclusions
6. What happens as a newly formed oceanic crust moves away from the mid ocean ridge? A. The crust thickens B. Sentiment gets thinner C. The crust gets colder D. The crust gets warmer E. The seafloor increases in height
A. The crust thickens
17. Which of the following were used to determine the age of the earth? A. Zircons from Australia B. Rock samples from the outer core C. Meteorites D. Genesis from the continental shields E. Samples of the oceanic crust from the Northwest Pacific sea floor
C. Meteorites
9. What happens at the base of a glacier? A. The ice adheres tightly to the bedrock surface, lifting it away to cause intense erosion B. The ice slides over bedrock on a thin film of melt water C. Vertical cracks appear where the ice bonds with boulders and obstructions D. Melt water accumulates in subgalcial ponds scoped out by the ice
A. The ice adheres tightly to the bedrock surface, lifting it away to cause intense erosion
2. Which of the following does NOT fit the definition of porosity? A. The salt-rich portion of a rock that might dissolve away B. The open spaces between clay particles in a very impermeable rock C. Fractures in a granite that happened after the granite cooled D. A cave in a limestone E. The spaces between the sand grains in a pile of sand
A. The salt-rich portion of a rock that might dissolve away
10. When a stream and hers a lake or ocean, the stream velocity Sloan's. What would you expect to happen to the battle load and suspended load? What landform what is create? A. The stream or lose energy and drop its sediments forming a Delta B. The stream will dry up and form a playa C. The stream would gain energy and actively erode as a cut bank D. The stream would lose energy and actively erode as a Delta E. Streamer gain energy to form an alluvial fan
A. The stream or lose energy and drop its sediments forming a Delta
11. What is the most immediate and visible evidence that a valley has been occupied by a glacier? A. The valley is quite straight with a broad bottom, and is U shaped B. The presence of cirques, and a horn at the head of the valley C. Polish and striations on bedrock exposures D. There are moraine deposits near the mouth of the canyon
A. The valley is quite straight with a broad bottom, and is U shaped
12. Where would you expect to find a dendritic drainage pattern? A. Underlying sedimentary rocks are most likely uniform and flat lying B. Low lying areas of jointed and faulted rocks C. Underlying rocks are granitic or folded sediments D. Terrains of highly metamorphosed rocks
A. Underlying sedimentary rocks are most likely uniform and flat lying
16. Which of the following minerals is the most commonly used for dating very old rocks? A. Zircon B. Olivine C. Amphibole D. Diamond E. Quart
A. Zircon
5. Why are the mica minerals "like a sandwich"? A. Because they are found in the structures of wheat B. Because layers of weak bonds cause the mineral to easily cleave into sheets C. Because they taste really good and smell really good D. Because there are so many different ways they stack on each other E. Because they have many strong atomic bonds similar to bread
B. Because layers of weak bonds cause the mineral to easily cleave into sheets
9. Carbonic acid is present in all precipitation. It forms there because: A. There are many sources of carbon, from all sorts of industrial operations that cause pollution B. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in water droplets in clouds precipitation falls C. A reaction occurs with sulfuric acid dissolves in clouds producing acid rain D. Car exhaust interacts with atmospheric moisture to produce it
B. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in water droplets in clouds precipitation falls
19. Which of the following depositional environments is most likely to be at the lowest elevation? A. Fluvial B. Alluvial C. Paludal D. Aeolian E. Glacial
C. Paludal
2. What percentage of water is groundwater? A. 1.2% B. 30.1% C. 60.5% D. 3.5% E. 0.002%
B. 30.1%
10. If a mineral scratches a copper penny but NOT a piece of glass then the MOH's hardness value is about _________________________.\ A. 7.5 B. 4.5 C. 3 D. 6 E. 1
B. 4.5
29. The Precambrian represents what fraction of earth history? A. 1% B. 88% C. 99% D. 50% E. 12%
B. 88%
3. _______________ gives rocks and geologic events a specific age in years. A. Relative age dating B. Absolute age dating C. Relative and absolute age dating
B. Absolute age dating
8. Why does travertine form on cave walls? A. The empty space in the chamber gives calcite a place to grow B. Changes in gas or temperature lead to the precipitation of calcite C. The water carrying the calcite stops the cave and calcite precipitates there D. The lack of light allows calcite reactions to precipitate extra minerals
B. Changes in gas or temperature lead to the precipitation of calcite
4. Which of the following is the correct order of grain sizes from smallest to largest for clastic (detrital) sedimentary rocks? A. Pebble, silt, Boulder, cobble, sand, clay B. Clay, silt, sand, pebble, cobble boulder C. Boulder,clay, silt, cobble, pebble, sand D. Sand, silt, clay pebble, cobble, boulder E. Silt, sand, clay, boulder, pebble, cobble
B. Clay, silt, sand, pebble, cobble boulder
13. Which of the following is not a bio chemical sedimentary rock? A. Chalk B. Coal C. Coquina D. Fossiliferous limestone
B. Coal
9. What feature is most characteristic of dunes? A. Red sand color B. Cross bedding C. Circular shale D. Poorly sorted E. High temperature
B. Cross bedding
11. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents (i.e., black smokers) are located at what plate boundary? A. Convergent boundaries with subduction zones B. Divergent boundaries of the mid-ocean ridge C. Convergent boundaries with oceanic to oceanic plate subduction D. Divergent boundaries of the east African rift E. Transform boundaries like the San Andreas Fault
B. Divergent boundaries of the mid-ocean ridge
20. Which of these are the longest period of time? A. Age B. Eon C. Era D. Period E. Epoch
B. Eon
9. Imagine a new sedimentary structure is discovered. What should be the best approach to try and understand it? A. Examine the minerals found within the later B. Find a similar structure in a modern environment C. Look at the rocks above and below it D. Look at the microfossils within the layer E. Examine the thickness
B. Find a similar structure in a modern environment
4. Which of the following does NOT allow a glacier to advance? A. Cool summers B. Glacial ice melts faster than it accumulates C. More winter snow and less summer melting D. Especially heavy winter precipitation
B. Glacial ice melts faster than it accumulates
30. What is a tektite? A. Melted rock from the action of faulting B. Glass ejected during an impact event C. Obsidian shattered by tectonic violence D. Rounded quartz grains E. Glass shards in tephra
B. Glass ejected during an impact event
15. Detrital sedimentary rocks are defined and named based mainly on their __________________, while chemical sedimentary rocks are defined on their ______________. A. Composition, grain size B. Grain size, composition C. Grain size, roundness D. Composition, roundness E. Roundness, hardness
B. Grain size, composition
13. What causes striations and glacial polish on bedrock? A. Melt water pouring down crevasses causes erosion of the bedrock B. Grains of rock embedded in the ice grind against the bedrock C. Cryometamorphism softens the bedrock minerals which are then easily attacked by the ice D. The ice, super hardened by cold temperature, grinds against the bed rock
B. Grains of rock embedded in the ice grind against the bedrock
5. What does a sedimentary rock tell? A. Volume of the river that made them B. Ideas about ancient landscapes C. Ideas about temperature in the past D. Number of organisms present E. Types of volcanoes present
B. Ideas about ancient landscapes
7. Why are there not as many earthquakes or volcanoes on the east coast of North America as there are on the west coast of North America? A. The crust on the East Coast is too thick to allow volcanoes B. It is not close to a plate boundary (passive margin) C. The plate boundary on the east coast is purely transform D. The crust on the East Coast is too thick to allow earthquakes E. The Atlantic side of the continent moves slower than the Pacific side
B. It is not close to a plate boundary (passive margin)
3. Which of the following is NOT a groundwater discharge area? A. Spring B. Losing stream C. Flowing well D. Gaining stream E. Playa
B. Losing stream
22. Which of the following is not a type of rock correlation? A. Time (age) B. Magmatic characteristic C. Fossils D. Rock type
B. Magmatic characteristic
22. What are polymorphic minerals? A. When the same mineral appears in different metamorphic facies B. Minerals that have the same chemical formula but different crystal structure C. minerals that have the same crystal structure but different chemical formulas D. when the same mineral appears in different metamorphic grades E. the few minerals that can have multiple different Crystal habit depending on formation
B. Minerals that have the same chemical formula but different crystal structure
25. Index minerals are _____________. A. Any minerals that grow in metamorphic rocks B. Minerals that only form at certain temperatures\presssures C. Minerals that help organize metamorphic rocks D. Minerals that form at high pressure E. Minerals that grow in magma and therefore will be found in foliated rocks
B. Minerals that only form at certain temperatures\presssures
1. Spits, bars, berms, barrier islands, and other features related to longshore drift are ultimately the result of what? A. Deep currents B. Moving sand C. Eroding sandstone D. Wave erosion E. Shallow currents
B. Moving sand
14. Radiocarbon Dating is used to date _________________ material. A. Inorganic B. Organic C. Inorganic and organic
B. Organic
1. Which of these assumptions is required for uniformitarianism to be true? A. Did geologic features and layers that we see today were formed by a series of brief catastrophic events B. Processes have been following the same set of rules of nature since the beginning of time C. Volcanoes and floods and similar lines deep shaping forces must have had the same intensity in the past as I do now D. Geologic time is best and all processes must have occurred slowly E. Every geologic process but operated on earth in the past has to still operate today
B. Processes have been following the same set of rules of nature since the beginning of time
10. The _______________ point is when permanent deformation is measurable. A. Brittle B. Isotopic annealing C. Ionic bonding D. Metallic bonds E. Covalent bonding
C. Ionic bonding
23. How does burial, metamorphism occur? A. Tall mountains collapse tectonically over time and the roots of these mountains are metamorphosed B. Sediments are buried in deep depositional basins where diagenesis extends to changes in mineral C. Ocean crust minerals change when slabs are deeply buried in subduction zones D. continental collisions cause crunching and burial of rocks that were formally near the surface E. meteor impact bury surface rocks a great depth along with the meteor fragments
B. Sediments are buried in deep depositional basins where diagenesis extends to changes in mineral
2. The rate of cooling for intrusive rocks is ____________. A. Fast B. Slow C. Fast, then slow D. Variable E. Slow, then fast
B. Slow
9. Shear stress applied to crystal rocks results in what kind of strain? A. Stretching and thinning B. Tearing ( strike-slip faulting) C. Shortening and thickening D. Change in volume E. Expansion
B. Tearing ( strike-slip faulting)
6. Which of the following best explains why rock layers are older than the faults cut through them? A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting
5. What does it mean when a glacier "advances"? A. The glacier is calving into the ocean, where pieces of ice are becoming icebergs B. The terminus of the glacier is shifting forward; the glacier is growing longer C. It is gaining snow as fast as it is losing it; the glacier is not shrinking D. It is flowing downhill towards the end of the glacier
B. The terminus of the glacier is shifting forward; the glacier is growing longer
15. Which of the following best describes half-life? A. Half time from the end of a radioactive sample being destroyed B. Time for half of a radioactive sample to decay C. Half of the time between a decay D. Time for half of a single radioactive atom to decay E. Half time between a decay
B. Time for half of a radioactive sample to decay
4. Which of the following is NOT a cause of salt contamination of groundwater? A. Over dumping in beach communities B. Underground fuel tanks C. Natural evaporite deposits D, street snow and ice melting
B. Underground fuel tanks
3. The equilibrium line divides the _____________ from the _____________. A. Zone of freezing; zone of melting B. Zone of accumulation; zone of ablation C. Brittle zone ; plastic zone D. Erosion zone ; deposition zone
B. Zone of accumulation; zone of ablation
3. Which rock composition has the least amount of silica? A. Felsic B. Intermediate C. Mafic D. Ultramafic
C. Mafic
4. Which latitude has sinking air with dry conditions due to atmospheric circulation? A. 0 B. 60 C. 30
C. 30
26. A rock stratum is tilted noticeably from horizontal. What is the most reasonable conclusion you can draw? A. The stratum was deposited on the angle of the continental slope B. A bolide (meteorite) struck that a region and the stratum is bowed up near the margin of the crater C. A tectonic event has occurred in the area since deposition of the stratum D. A volcano punched through the region deforming the stratum E, the layers have slowly rotated as the ground around them has been compressed with lithification
C. A tectonic event has occurred in the area since deposition of the stratum
2. What do chemical and detrital sedimentary rocks have in common. A. Both come from older bedrock B. Both made from organisms C. Both involve water in their formation D. Both made by erosion E. Both rounded by grains
C. Both involve water in their formation
6. Increasing rock strength results and what type of strain? A. Ductile B. Elastic C. Brittle D. Expansion E. Shear
C. Brittle
3. What is the most common mineral formed by life? A. Quartz B. Dolomite C. Calcite D. Feldspar E. Apatite
C. Calcite
13. Which of the following is NOT required for an artesian system to work? A. Aquicludes confining an aquifer B. A recharge area uphill from artesian wells C. Consistently high levels of precipitation
C. Consistently high levels of precipitation
9. Which of the following best explains why rock layers in the Grand Canyon can also be found in Zion Canyon. A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
C. Correlation
25. What stratigraphic principle is most directly used to determine relative age among different kinds of geologic events of different ages? A. Fossil succession B. Original Horizontality C. Cross cutting relationships D. Lateral continuity E, superstition P
C. Cross cutting relationships
20. In which of the following depositional environment would a fine-grained mud NOT form? A. Abyssal B. Lacustrine C. Fluvial D. Lagoonal
C. Fluvial
5. Where on earth are strike slip faults most common? A. The Wasatch Mountains of Utah B. Southern California C. Fracture zones adjacent to mid ocean ridges D. Along the edge of continental shields E. Inside collision zone like the Himalaya
C. Fracture zones adjacent to mid ocean ridges
8. What is the biggest difference between hotspot volcanism in an island chain and play tectonic volcanism in an island chain? A. Arcs have different magma B. Hot spots only have tsunamis C. Hot spots have age trends D. Hot spots erupt more often E. Arcs have less earthquakes
C. Hot spots have age trends
1. When positively charged sodium ion is chemically bonded to a negatively charged chlorine ion the results and sodium chloride (i.e., the mineral halite). This is an example of _____________________. A. Van der Walls bonds B. Isotopic annealing C. Ionic bonding D. Metallic bonds E. Covalent bonding
C. Ionic bonding
28. When mineral "X" originally formed in a granite, there is 100% of the unstable radio metric parent material and 0% of the stable daughter material. In this example, the mineral is tested in a lab and there is on,y 25% of the parent radio metric isotope leftover. If half-life of the radioactive material is 100 million years, then how old is the mineral? A. 400 million years B. 50 million years C. 100 million years D. 200 million years E. 25 million years
D. 200 million years
5. What is the "Law of the River"? A. A natural law that states how water is gathered in the Colorado River Basin into the Colorado River B. Just another name for the 1922 Colorado River compact C. A federal law regulating the use of water from the Colorado River D. A complex of agreements among Colorado Basin states and between the United States and Mexico regarding allocation of Colorado River water
D. A complex of agreements among Colorado Basin states and between the United States and Mexico regarding allocation of Colorado River water
3. What makes the Great Basin unique in North America? A. Driest part of the world B. Has swirling winds around the edges C. Only gets moist from coastal fog D. All water drains internally E. Has almost no life form
D. All water drains internally
21. Which desert landform is the most similar to a River delta? A. Yardang B. Bajada C. Blowout D. Alluvial fan E. Ventifact
D. Alluvial fan
10. Which desert landscape sequence is in the proper order from hound to old? A. Inselberg, bajada, alluvial fan B. Inselberg, alluvial fan, bajada C. Alluvial fan, inselberg, bajada D. Alluvial fan, bajada, inselberg E. Bajada, alluvial fan, inselberg
D. Alluvial fan, bajada, inselberg
11. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an ephemeral stream? A. Usually dry B. Flow mainly after rain C. Often carry flash floods D. Are fed by groundwater
D. Are fed by groundwater
2. Minerals have crystalline structure. What does this mean? A. Minerals are generally in organic and not made from life B. Adams are arranged in random order but definite chemical composition C. Minerals have definite chemical composition And are made of the same element D. Atoms are arranged in an orderly repetitive manner E. All minerals form beautiful visible crystals and the right conditions
D. Atoms are arranged in an orderly repetitive manner
11. What does a groundwater budget do? A. Subtracts irrigation water from culinary water B. Calculates the value of a groundwater resource C. Used to calculate the consumer water bill D. Balances precipitation against evaporation and discharge E. Compares fresh and polluted water
D. Balances precipitation against evaporation and discharge
19. Which of the following is NOT a trace fossil? A. Burrow mold B. Coptolites C. Footprints D. Bone
D. Bone
7. Which property of water is most useful and chemical weathering? A. Less dense when solid B. Adhesion C. Universal solvent D. Cohesion E. High boiling point
D. Cohesion
11. What mainly causes agents of transport like wind or water to deposit sediment? A. Increase temperature B. decreased temperature C. increased weathering D. decreased speed E. decreased weathering
D. Decreased speed
3. Which of the following is NOT part of the process of lithification ? A. Cementation B. Compaction C. Crystallization D. Deposition
D. Deposition
8. The areas from which streams collect water are separated into ___________, the borders of which are defined by a local topographic highs. A. Dry washes B. Discharge segments C. Drainage basins D. Stream mouths E. Tributary streams
D. Drainage basins
19. Which of these are associated with wind-driven sediment transports in deserts? A. Saltation B. Creep C. Hoodoo D. Haboob E. Sliding stones
D. Haboob
14. How does the silica content affect the behavior of magma? A. Higher silica makes the magma less vicious B. Higher silica makes the cooling rate greater C. Higher silica makes the magma have less volatiles D. Higher silica makes the magma more vicious E. Higher silica makes the magma have more volatiles
D. Higher silica makes the magma more vicious
6. Which of the following is NOT a type of chemical weathering? A. Oxidation B. Dissolution C. Hydrolysis D. Ice wedging
D. Ice wedging
18. Why are playas common in the Great Basin of western North America? Low snowfall A. Low rainfall B. High temperatures C. Low night temperatures D. Internal drainage
D. Internal drainage
8. Which of the following happens to sea-level when glaciers melt? A. Sea level stays the constant B. Local isostatic depression C. Sea level falls globally D. Local isostatic rebound
D. Local isostatic rebound
14. What is the most likely cause of a settlement with highly rounded grains? A. Higher temperatures in environment B. lack of water in environment C. Shorter time since weathering D. long distance transported E. stronger bedrock
D. Longer distance transported
4. Partially melting an ultramafic rock would immediately produce a magma of what composition? A. Felsic B. Intermediate C. Ultramafic D. Mafic E. Ultrafelsic
D. Mafic
4. Which of the following is formed by wave erosion? A. Submarine canyon B. Jetty C. Groin D. Marine terrace E. Tombolo G. Baymouth bar
D. Marine terrace
7. What is the main cause of the glacial cycles during the Quaternary Ice Age? A. Sea level changes B. Global tectonics C. Carbon dioxide D. Milankovitch cycles
D. Milankovitch cycles
16. Which of these indicate changing water conditions from wet to dry? A. Raindrop impressions B. sole marks C. Geopetal structures D. Mud cracks E. Ripples
D. Mud cracks
8. Greater seismic intensity occurs with constructive interference. This is a result of ________________? A. Waves from two different earthquakes me each other B. Two waves at the same amplitude and frequency combine at 1/2 wave length out of sync C. Direct seismic waves interact with reflected waves from the earths interior D. Multiple seismic waves combing in sync with each other
D. Multiple seismic waves combing in sync with each other
3. Which seismic wave type travels the fastest? A. Love wave B. S-wave C. Reinforced wave D. P-wave E. Surface wave
D. P-wave
12. The Antarctic ice sheet has been there for several million years. What happened to the Antarctic continent as a result? A. Summer no longer occurs there B. A type of metamorphism called cryometamorphism takes place caused by long exposure to cold C. Rocks of the continent have been spread away from the South Pole D. Parts of the continent have been isostatically depressed below sea level
D. Parts of the continent have been isostatically depressed below sea level
10. Examine Bowen's Reaction Series diagram. As a felsic magma cools, which mineral would be the last to crystallize? A. Biotite B. K-spar C. Muscovite D. Quartz E. Olivine
D. Quartz
6. Which of the following is a source of non point pollution? A. Sewage treatment plants B. Chemical spill site C. Gas station D, residential areas
D. Residential areas
6. What does saltation do to the surface of sand grains? A. Ventifacting B. Desert varnish C. Excellent sorting D. Rounding and frosting
D. Rounding and frosting
6. Which part of a coastal area is always under water? A. Swash zone B. Back shore C. Foreshore D. Shoreface/nearshore
D. Shoreface/nearshore
7.Which mineral property involves observing the color of a mineral in powdered form? A. Hardness B. Luster C. color D. streak E. cleavage
D. Streak
4. Which of the following best explains why fossils in the rock record become increasingly more complex in younger rocks? A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
D. The Principle of Fossil Succession
7. Why is the Colorado river compact(as conceive and amended) likely to cause problems in the future? A. Sea level rise is choking the Colorado river and Delta Mexico B. The compact must be ratified by Congress C. The contract is subject to vote by people in the various states and entities D. The compact was made in a year of high flow and based allocations on specific volume and did not consider growth/drought
D. The compact was made in a year of high flow and based allocations on specific volume and did not consider growth/drought
10. As you move towards the mid-ocean ridge ______________________. A. Sediments get thicker B. The crust gets thicker C. The crust gets colder D. The crust gets younger E. The seafloor decreases in height
D. The crust gets younger
3. What is the main difference between tidal flats/mud flats and lagoons? A. Lagoons have a larger connection with the main ocean B. Tidal flats have fewer living creatures C. Lagoons Have more erosion D. Tidal flats are sometimes dry E. Lagoons are deeper
D. Tidal flats are sometimes dry
1. James Hutton proposed the concept of _____________ in the book Theory of the earth. A. Unitarianism B. Catastrophism C. Relativism D. Uniformitarianism E. Dougism
D. Uniformitarianism
4. Which building type is least resistant to earthquake damage? A. Wood frame B. Steel frame C. Reinforced masonry D. Unreinforced masonry E. Base isolated steel
D. Unreinforced masonry
5. What is the dominant geologic agent of erosion in most deserts? A. Dust storms B. Bajadas C. Wind D. Water
D. Water
9. How does an oxbow lake form? A. When a River entrenches it's floodplain B. When a point bar has depressions C. When a River floods and water ponds in a floodplain depression D. When a meander is cut off and abandoned
D. When a meander is cut off and abandoned
6. When was the peak of the last glaciation? A. 323 to 300 million years ago B. ~2.5 billion years ago C. 18,000 to 9,000 years ago D. 420,000 years ago E. 26,500 to 19,000 years ago
E. 26,500 to 19,000 years ago
4. What elements make up the silica tetrahedra, the basic unit of silicate minerals? A. 1 oxygen & 4 silicons B. 2 oxygens & 2 silicons C. 1 oxygen & 1 silicon D. 4 oxygens & 4 silicons E. 4 oxygens & 1 silicon
E. 4 oxygens & 1 silicon
7. What is the difference between a joint and a fault? A. A joint is a local bar frequented by geologist after mapping faults B. A fault is caused by brittle deformation; a joint is caused by ductile deformation C. A joint is a fracture with movement; a fault is a fracture with no movement D. A fault results from tension; a joint results from compression E. A fault is a fracture with movement; a joint is a fracture with no movement
E. A fault is a fracture with movement; a joint is a fracture with no movement
8. A basaltic intrusion that cuts across layers of sedimentary rocks is called a ____________________. A. Laccolith B. Batholith C. Sill D. Pluton E. Dike
E. Dike
1. Streams in the Great Basin of western United States are rare among world streams because they _________________. A. Carry especially salty water B. Are dry much of the year C. Do not form deltas D. Freeze during the wintertime E. End in closed (endorheic) basins
E. End in closed (endorheic) basins
15. The way for precipitated water to leave the Great Basin by _______________________. A. Rivers B. Alluvial transport C. Pluvial lake drainage D. Infiltration E. Evaporation
E. Evaporation
9. Which rock composition has the most amount of silica? A. Ultrafelsic B. Ultramafic C. Mafic D. Intermediate E. Felsic
E. Felsic
30. Which of the following cannot be used to give an accurate and absolute age date to the deposition of sedimentary rock sequences? A. Some evaporite minerals B. Volcanic tuffs and other pyroclastic material C. Dikes and sills D. Lava flows E. Fossils
E. Fossils
7. Using the classification table, if an igneous rock has a coarse-grained texture and has a felsic composition (abundant silica), then the igneous rock is called _________________________. A. Basalt B. Pumice C. Obsidian D. Rhyolite E. Granite
E. Granite
14. The dust bowl in the Midwest of the United States in the 1930# was primarily caused by: A. Planting the wrong crops B. Failure of the aquifers that farms used for irrigation C. Shift in winds that usually bring Gulf moisture into the Midwest D. Rain shadow in the zone of westerlies E. Human errors in judgment
E. Human errors in judgment
7. Which of these features is NOT found on an emergent coastline with a relative falling sea level? A. Sea arch B. Tombolo C. Sea stack D. Marine terrace E. Lagoon
E. Lagoon
8. Why is the rate of weathering and erosion in desert regions slower? A. More wind than rain B. Temperature too warm C. Less wind D. Saltier water E. Less water
E. Less water
26. What is the protolith of marble? A. Shale B. Sandstone C. Mudstone D. Quartzite E. Limestone
E. Limestone
13. Which tectonic setting generally has the least explosive volcanism? A. Rift B. Subduction C. Collision D. Transform E. Mid-ocean ridge
E. Mid-ocean ridge
4. Which state is the driest? A. Arizona B. California C. Colorado D. Utah E. Nevada
E. Nevada
Which of these contaminants plays the biggest role in the growth of blue-green algae? A. Arsenic B. Chloride C. Acid drainage D. Surfactants E. Nutrients
E. Nutrients
4. What are paradigm shift in geology most changed the way geologist look at the world? A. Uniformitarianism B. Extinction C. Deep time D. Evolution E. Plate tectonics
E. Plate tectonics
27. How does stress differ from strain? A. Stress is a very a,the force; strain is a lesser force B. Stress is a lesser force; strain is a very large force C. Stress causes minerals to dissolve or recrystallize; strain causes minerals to grow D. Stress is compressional minerals and rocks; strain is when minerals melt E. Pressure and temperature ranges at which mineral phases are stable
E. Pressure and temperature ranges at which mineral phases are stable
28. What does the phase diagram show? A. The progression of phases from low grade to high grade metamorphism B. Depositional environments for different mineral phases C. Various minerals that are grouped in different metamorphic facies D. Tectonic settings for different mineral phases E. Pressure and temperature ranges at which mineral phases are stable
E. Pressure and temperature ranges at which mineral phases are stable
2. Which seismic wave type is most damaging? A. P-wave B. Body wave C. S-wave D. Love wave E. Raleigh wave
E. Rayleigh wave
6. Based on the Utah water rights law, the _____________________ water rights holder has priority use of water. A. Upstream B. Richest C. Youngest D. Downstream E. Senior
E. Senior
12. Which sedimentary rock is made up of cells and or clay and splits easily into layers? A. Sandstone B. Limestone C. Mudstone D. Micrite E. Shale
E. Shale
1. Which of the following is NOT influenced by the Coriolis Effect? A. Westerlies B. Trade winds C. Ocean gyres D. 3-cell model of atmospheric circulation E. Sinking polar air
E. Sinking polar air
1. Which fault type would be most prominent at a transform plate boundary? A. Thrust B. Reverse C. Detachment D. Normal E. Strike-slip
E. Strike-slip
5. Which of the following best explains why rock layers in the Grand Canyon are flat and continuous? A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
E. The Principle of Original Horizontality
1. Porphyritic Rock with coarse grained crystals surrounded by finer grained groundmass indicate what? A. The rock called slowly on the surface B. The rock cooled slowly underground C. The rock cooled quickly on the surface D. The rock cooled quickly underground E. The rock cooled slowly, then more quickly
E. The rock cooled slowly, then more quickly
10. _________________ are surfaces of erosion or non deposition in the rock record. A. Nonconformities B. Angular unconformities C. Formations D. Disconformities E. Unconformities
E. Unconformities
7. Which of the following best explains why rock layers at the bottom of the Grand Canyon are the oldest? A. The Principle of Inclusions B. The Principle of Cross-Cutting C. Correlation D. The Principle of Fossil Succession E. The Principle of Original Horizontality F. The Principle of Superstition G. The Principle of of Lateral Continuity
F. The Principle of Superstition
21. What are the characteristics of an index fossil? A. The most famous fossils in an area B. Widespread geographically and chronologically C. Localized geographically, chronologically widespread D. The largest fossils in an area E. Localized geographically and chronologically F. Widespread geographically, chronologically limited
F. Widespread geographically, chronologically limited
