Midterm ESCL1020

A cinder cone is formed from relatively __________ viscosity magma with a __________ gas content. a. high; high b. high; low c. low; high d. low; low

low; high

Which of the following is matched correctly? a. granite - metamorphic b. basalt - sedimentary c. marble - metamorphic d. sandstone - igneous

marble - metamorphic

The ancient roots of mountains are usually composed of __________ rocks. a. sedimentary b. metamorphic c. igneous

metamorphic

Fault types are defined by a. the relative motion of the hanging wall and footwall. b. the amount of movement along the hanging wall and footwall. c. the amount of energy liberated during movement. d. All of these,

the relative motion of the hanging wall and footwall.

The thickness of Earth's crust ranges from a. 5 km to 60 km (3 mi. to 37 mi.). b. 70 km to 250 km (43 mi. to 155 mi.). c. the surface to an unknown depth. d. the surface down to 2900 km (1800 mi.).

5 km to 60 km (3 mi. to 37 mi.).

The deepest places in the ocean are those in which rifting occurs. a. True b. False

False

The layer within Earth that lies directly below the lithosphere, but above the upper mantle, is best described as a. a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure. b. a granitic material that weighs an average of 2.7 grams per cm3. c. the core. d. resistant to movement of any type.

a plastic-like layer that flows in response to heat and pressure.

The presence of 180-million-year-old salt domes in the Gulf Coast region of the United States indicates that a. the area was once volcanically active. b. the area was subjected to plate collisions which caused metamorphism to occur. c. subsidence is now occurring due to the withdrawal of magma from the region. d. a sea used to cover the area but subsequently evaporated. e. None of these

a sea used to cover the area but subsequently evaporated.

Longitude is a. an angular distance measured north or south of the equator. b. an angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian. c. the basis for establishing parallels. d. determined by Sun altitude above the horizon.

an angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian.

The nucleus of old crystalline rock in each of the principal continental masses is called a a. basalt mass. b. continental shield, or craton. c. mountain mass. d. composite zone.

continental shield, or craton.

The principles of buoyancy and balance, when applied to Earth's crust, helps us to explain fluctuations in Earth's outer crust, a property known as a. magnetism. b. Moho effect. c. isostasy. d. orogenesis.

isostasy.

The concept of "orders of relief" refers to a. the ordering of surface features based on height. b. the ordering of surface features based on their time of origin. c. the scale of features. d. the rate at which stress is relieved in the crust.

the scale of features.

The largerthe scale of a map, the __________ the area covered by the map and the __________ detail it provides. a. larger; more b. larger; less c. smaller; more d. smaller; less

smaller; more

Which of the following is true of models? a. They are abstract representations of the world. b. They are idealized representations of the world. c. They are simplified representations of the world. d. All of these are true. e. They are abstract representations of the world and They are idealized representations of the world only

All of these are true.

If you were driving down the highway and saw mountains composed of layered strata, you could be confident that you were looking at a. sedimentary rocks. b. extrusive igneous rock. c. a shield volcano. d. batholiths or laccoliths.

sedimentary rocks.

A planimetric map a. shows great circles as straight lines. b. shows horizontal positions of various features such as boundaries and land uses. c. is an outmoded form of mapping that is no longer of value. d. shows vertical dimensions.

shows horizontal positions of various features such as boundaries and land uses.

Which of the following can lead to the formation of mountains? a. plate collisions and volcanic activity b. exposure of plutons by erosion of surrounding landscape c. faulting d. All of these e. plate collisions and volcanic activity and exposure of plutons by erosion of surrounding landscape only

All of these

Which of the following plays a role in the shaping of Earth's surface? a. gravity. b. the action of wind, water, and ice. c. the radioactive decay of atoms. d. All of these e. the action of wind, water, and ice and the radioactive decay of atoms only

All of these

Which of the following is incorrectregarding Earth's inner core? a. It has a density of 13.5 grams per cm3. b. It is solid iron in composition. c. It is the source of Earth's magnetic field. d. It is about 1230 km (760 mi.) thick.

It is the source of Earth's magnetic field.

Who first proposed the theory of uniformitarianism? a. Plato b. James Hutton c. Charles Darwin d. Albert Wegner

James Hutton

Which of the following statements about shield volcanoes is true? a. They occur in shield areas of Earth. b. They are subject to violently explosive eruptions. c. They form from mafic magma. d. They consist of tremendous quantities of pyroclastics.

They form from mafic magma.

A guiding principle of modern science is the principle of uniformitarianism-as opposed to catastrophism. a. True b. False

True

An earthquake with a high rating on the moment magnitude scale can receive a low rating on the Mercalli scale. a. True b. False

True

Compressional forces associated with converging plates produce blocks that move upward relative to the footwall block; this is called a thrust or reverse fault. a. True b. False

True

Earth's magnetic field has reversed nine times in the last four million years. a. True b. False

True

Endogenic processes cause warping, folding, faulting, and uplift of Earth's surface. a. True b. False

True

Felsic magma produces more violent eruptions that mafic magma. a. True b. False

True

Ocean floor is created along midocean ridges. a. True b. False

True

The Hawaiian Islands are near one end of a hot-spot track that stretches to Alaska. a. True b. False

True

The oldest rocks on Earth are between 3.96 and 4.3 billion years old. a. True b. False

True

A great circle is a. any parallel of latitude. b. the longest distance between two places on the surface of Earth. c. a circle of circumference whose center coincides with the center of Earth. d. a correct magnetic compass direction on a flat map.

a circle of circumference whose center coincides with the center of Earth.

Which of the following is an example of a first order of relief? a. the Alps and Rockies b. the Tibetan Plateau c. the Shenandoah Valley d. an ocean basin

an ocean basin

Divisions among topographic regions are based on a. arbitrary criteria regarding height or other descriptive criteria that are in common use. b. complex statistical analyses of surface relief variation across the surface of Earth. c. local criteria that have never been universally recognized. d. logarithmic relationships applied to elevation.

arbitrary criteria regarding height or other descriptive criteria that are in common use.

Volcanic activity generally does notoccur a. along sea-floor spreading centers. b. around the perimeter of the Atlantic Ocean basin. c. in association with hot spots over plumes in the mantle. d. in the circum-Pacific belt.

around the perimeter of the Atlantic Ocean basin.

Small areas of high strain along a fault are termed a. asperities. b. focal points. c. elastic spots. d. fore points.

asperities.

Which of the following is nota member of the silicate family of minerals? a. quartz b. calcite c. feldspars d. clay minerals

calcite

Mafic minerals are __________ minerals. a. dark colored, high density b. dark colored, low density c. light colored, high density d. light colored, low density

dark colored, high density

The density of material belowthe Moho is __________ that above it. a. greater than b. less than c. the same as

greater than

Volcanic activity located away fromplate boundaries is associated with a. subduction and melting of plates along collision zones. b. hot spots. c. rift zones. d. All of these.

hot spots.

On the Mercator projection, areas at high latitudes appear __________. a. larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator b. smaller than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator c. the same size as areas of the same size located nearer to the equator

larger than areas of the same size located nearer to the equator

How far north you live from the equator is measured as your __________, whereas an imaginary line marking all those places at that same distance north of the equator is called a __________. a. longitude; meridian b. meridian; longitude c. latitude; parallel d. parallel; latitude e. location; place

latitude; parallel

An angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian from the center of Earth is termed a. longitude. b. latitude. c. zenith. d. Greenwich distance.

longitude.

The science of physical geography is based on the realization that a. nature is homogenous and spatially undifferentiated. b. knowledge of spatial distributions is of little value in understanding nature. c. nature can best be described and understood as a set of interrelated components through which matter and energy flow. d. humans have no significant impact on the physical phenomena that occur in nature.

nature can best be described and understood as a set of interrelated components through which matter and energy flow.

The three most abundant elements in Earth's crust are a. rock, water, and tectonics. b. magnesium, potassium, and oxygen. c. iron, aluminum, and granite. d. oxygen, silicon, and aluminum.

oxygen, silicon, and aluminum.

Which of the following is nota felsic mineral? a. quartz b. feldspar c. peridotite d. orthoclase

peridotite

Coal is a fossil fuel formed from a. dead marine organisms. b. plant remains c. metamorphosed mafic minerals. d. blue-green algae.

plant remains

The oblateness of Earth occurs at the a. poles. b. equator. c. subtropics. d. prime meridian.

poles.

During the past ice age, landmasses were generally a. pressed down into the asthenosphere by the load of ice. b. elevated, because ice is lighter than rock. c. unaffected by the climatic conditions of the time. d. more exposed to the atmosphere.

pressed down into the asthenosphere by the load of ice.

Which of the following is the fuel for continental drift and plate tectonics? a. nuclear fusion b. radioactive decay c. solar energy d. chemical reactions in Earth's core

radioactive decay

The heat that drives the tectonic cycle is derived from a. nuclear fusion. b. radioactive decay. c. chemical reactions. d. sunlight.

radioactive decay.

Vertical elevation differences in a local landscape are referred to as a. relief. b. an order of relief. c. topography. d. crust.

relief

What type of rock is derived from the bits and pieces of former rocks? a. sedimentary b. metamorphic c. igneous d. hydrothermal

sedimentary

When geologists or archaeologists dig downward into a unit of rock or sediment, they are digging "back in time." This fact is based on the principle of __________. a. uniformitarianism b. superposition c. catastrophism

superposition

Which of the following represents a surface feature whose relief is opposite that expected based on the fold pattern in the rocks of which it is composed? a. synclinal valley b. synclinal ridge c. inverted anticline d. synclinal basin

synclinal ridge

As we burn fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide, the temperature of our planet and the oceans will increase. When the oceans warm they will release more carbon dioxide, further warming the planet and oceans. If this occurs rapidly and causes a sudden rise in temperature, a(n) __________ has been crossed and that the planet has moved into a state of __________. a. input level; equilibrium b. input level; disequilibrium c. threshold; equilibrium d. threshold; disequilibrium

threshold; disequilibrium

"Geography" literally means a. place memorization. b. the study of rocks. c. map making. d. to write (about) Earth.

to write (about) Earth

The undulating form that gives Earth's surface its character and general configuration is called a. relief. b. an order of relief. c. topography. d. crust.

topography.

Geography is not a. eclectic. b. holistic. c. unscientific.

unscientific.

Domes can be formed by a. extinct volcanoes. b. upwarping associated with plate collisions. c. downwarping associated with plate collisions. d. upwarping associated with magma movement (i.e., plutonic activity).

upwarping associated with magma movement (i.e., plutonic activity).

Geologically speaking, the continents began forming relatively recently. a. True b. False

False

Ocean floor is continuously destroyed in rift zones. a. True b. False

False

Uniformitarianism holds that allgeologic change affecting Earth's surface requires immense amounts of time to occur. a. True b. False

False

Which of the following lists is in the correct sequence from younger to older? a. Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene b. Holocene, Precambrian, Cenozoic c. Paleozoic, Cenozoic, Mesozoic d. Tertiary, Quaternary, Cretaceous

Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene

Travelers flying west from Los Angeles (118° W) to Tokyo (139° E) will cross the __________ and, as a result, they will __________ when crossing this meridian. a. International Dateline; gain a day (Example: Sunday becomes Saturday.) b. International Dateline; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.) c. prime meridian; gain a day (Example: Sunday becomes Saturday.) d. prime meridian; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.)

International Dateline; lose a day (Example: Saturday becomes Sunday.)

Approximately what percentage of Earth's surface is exposed above sea level? a. 18 percent b. 29 percent c. 49 percent d. 62 percent

29 percent

Which of the following is matched correctly? a. 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - granitic crust b. 4.7 grams per cubic centimeter - upper mantle c. 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter - asthenosphere d. 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - oceanic crust

3.3 grams per cubic centimeter - asthenosphere 3.0 grams per cubic centimeter - oceanic crust

Which of the following is nottrue regarding Earth's magnetic field? a. It causes magnetic particles in cooling magma to align with magnetic field lines. b. Transition periods, during which reversals occur, last an average of about 4000 to 8000 years. c. Earth's magnetic field will probably reverse in the next few thousand years. d. A given field orientation can last billions of years.

A given field orientation can last billions of years.

According to currently accepted scientific theories, Earth is never affected by catastrophes. a. True b. False

False

Earth's magnetic field is generated from within the entire planet, rather than in a specific region of Earth's interior. a. True b. False

False

The average length of a period during which a given magnetic field polarity exists is about a. 1,000 years. b. 500,000 years. c. 400 million years. d. 1 billion years.

500,000 years.

The average elevation of exposed land is a. -2070 m (-6790 ft.). b. 100 m (325 ft.). c. 875 m (2870 ft.). d. 8848 m (29,028 ft.).

875 m (2870 ft.).

Because of the type of distortion that occurs on a Mercator map, which of the following must be true? a. The map scale changes from one part of the map to another. b. One inch near the equator does not cover the same amount of distance as one inch near the poles. c. One square inch near the equator does not cover the same amount of area as one square inch near the poles. d. All of these are true. e. None of these are true-there is no distortion in a Mercator projection.

All of these are true.

Which of the following is true of the aesthenosphere? a. It contains pockets of increased heat. b. It flows. c. It carries the lithospheric plates. d. All of these are true. e. None of these are true.

All of these are true.

Which of the following is true of the magma formed from subducted ocean floor material that is eventually incorporated into continental crust? a. The composition of the magma changes from a low silica content to a higher silica content by the incorporation of sediments and other materials when it melts. b. The magma that forms in this way tends to produce more violent volcanic eruptions than magma derived directly from the aesthenosphere. c. Batholiths may form from the rising magma. d. All of these may occur. e. The composition of the magma changes from a low silica content to a higher silica content by the incorporation of sediments and other materials when it melts and The magma that forms in this way tends to produce more violent volcanic eruptions than magma derived directly from the aesthenosphere only

All of these may occur.

Which of the following supports the continental drift concept? a. magnetic field patterns preserved in the rocks b. plant and animal fossil records c. radiometric dating of rocks on either side of a spreading center d. All of these support the theory. e. None of these is valid evidence of continental drift.

All of these support the theory.

Which of the following is a cause of warping? a. mantle convection b. hot spots c. isostatic adjustment d. All of these.

All of these.

Which of the following is nottrue of geothermal energy? a. It could be used everywhere. b. It's in use in Iceland, Japan, and California. c. Loss of aquifer pressure and groundwater drawdown can reduce production over time. d. It can be used to produce both heat and electricity.

It could be used everywhere.

Which of the following is incorrect? a. The highest mountain above sea level has an elevation of 8848 m (29,028 ft.). b. The greatest ocean depth is -11,030 m (-36,198 ft.). c. The ratio of land area to ocean area is approximately 140 to 360 million km (or, 1:2.5). d. Mean sea level is at 875 m (2870 ft.).

Mean sea level is at 875 m (2870 ft.).

Which of the following is true? a. The age of the sea floor is the same in most areas of the ocean. b. The age of the sea floor does not follow a discernable pattern. c. The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a midocean ridge. d. The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a trench. e. The oldest sea floor material is several billion years in age.

The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a midocean ridge.

Terranes refer to a. the topography of a tract of land. b. the "lay of the land." c. displaced and migrating pieces of Earth's crust. d. the continental shields within each continent.

displaced and migrating pieces of Earth's crust.

High mountains consisting of tightly folded and overthrust sedimentary rock layers, as well as metamorphic rocks, are formed a. along midocean ridges during seafloor spreading activity and are subsequently uplifted above sea level in response to isostatic processes. b. during plate collisions. c. during volcanic eruptions. d. in continental rift zones. e. exclusively by magma intrusions.

during plate collisions.

The area at the surface directly above the subsurface location where seismic waves are initiated is termed the a. epicenter. b. fault area. c. Richter zone. d. focus, or hypocenter.

epicenter.

The diameter of Earth is largest when measured around the a. poles. b. equator. c. subtropics. d. prime meridian.

equator.

Which of the following describes the property of equal areaon a map? a. equivalence b. conformality c. proximity d. equidistance

equivalence

People often say that California is going to "fall into the ocean,". This idea is totally wrong because the San Andreas fault would have to be a __________ fault associated with __________ forces for this to happen. a. normal; tension b. normal; compression c. reverse; tension d. reverse; compression e. strike-slip; compression

normal; tension

The magma, which fuels and produces the volcanic activity around the Pacific Ring of Fire, is derived from the a. magma extruded from rift zones, which are developing along the Pacific Rim. b. rise of material that was melted in subduction zones along the Pacific margins. c. rise of magma from hot spots, such as those which formed the Hawaiian Islands. d. rise of magma along transform faults.

rise of material that was melted in subduction zones along the Pacific margins.

Latitude is a. the angular distance measured north or south of the equator. b. the angular distance measured east or west of a prime meridian. c. the basis for establishing meridians. d. portrayed on a globe as lines that cross the equator at right angles.

the angular distance measured north or south of the equator.

Many of the islands of Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Borneo), which are located adjacent to a subduction zone next to the edge of the continental shelf of SE Asia, consist of felsiclava. This means that the lava which produces these islands is derived from a. a midocean ridge. b. a volcanic hot spot under the ocean floor. c. the melting of continental shelf material along with ocean floor material. d. the melting of subducted plate material and nothing else. e. a rift zone.

the melting of continental shelf material along with ocean floor material.

Remote sensing is a. a subjective determination of temperature. b. the monitoring of a distant object without physical contact. c. an earthbound technique not used in modern satellites. d. based on the principle that surfaces must be physically handled and directly measured for study.

the monitoring of a distant object without physical contact.

The word spatial refers to a. the nature and character of physical space. b. items that relate specifically to society. c. things that are unique and special. d. eras of time.

the nature and character of physical space.