ESCI-111 Mid-Term

Dense forms of ___ are probably major components of the inner core A. Solid iron silicates and magnesium silicates B. Crystalline iron and nickel C. Liquid iron-nickel alloy D. Solidified uranium and other very heavy elements

B

1. Most rocks are solid aggregates of minerals A. True B. False

a

1. What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical geology? A. Physical geology is the study of fossils and sequences of rock strata; historical geology is the study of how rocks and minerals were used in the past B. Historical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and geologic events, utilizing the geologic time scale as a reference; physical geology includes the study of how rocks form and of how erosion shapes the land surface C. Physical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and deposition in relation to plate movement in the geologic past; historical geology charts how and where the plates were moving in the past D. None of the above - physical geology and historical geology are essentially the same

B

The term "maria" is currently used to describe which of the following features on the earth's lunar surface? A. Impact craters B. Lava plains C. Luna volcanoes D. Dry river valleys E. Plateau surfaces

B

2. Compared to the age of Earth accepted as correct today, how did 17th and 19th century proponents of catastrophism envision the Earth's age? A. They believed Earth to be much older than current estimates B. They believe it to be about the same as current estimates, give or take a few million years C. They believed Earth to be much younger than current estimates D. None of the above - they didn't really address the age of Earth

C

The ____ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior A. Inner core B. Lithosphere C. Mantle D. Outer core

D

13. The doctrine of uniformitarianism implies that the current forces and processes shaping the earth have been operating for a very long time. A. True B. False

a

16. In an open system both energy and matter flow into and out of the system. A. True B. False

a

17. According to the nebular hypothesis, all the bodies in the universe evolved from a rotating cloud of gases and dust about 5 billion years ago A. True B. False

a

2. The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is a complex ion A. True B. False

a

6. Identify the components of the following building block of most minerals A. A is oxygen B is silicon B. A is silicon B is oxygen C. A is silicon B is silicon D. A is oxygen B is oxygen E. None is valid

a

9. A ____ system is one in which energy moves freely in and out, but no matter enters or leaves the system. A. Closed B. Open C. Feedback D. Equilibrated

a

A cubic centimeter of quartz and gold weighs 2.7 and 20 grams respectively. This indicates that ______ A. gold has a much higher specific gravity than quartz B. gold is more elastic than quartz C. gold has a greater luster than quartz D. gold is much lighter than quartz

a

According to the theory of plate tectonics, plates interact mainly ______. A. along plate boundaries B. near the center of each plate where stress is greatest C. on the underside of each plate

a

Active mountain belts are most likely to be found: A. Along the margins of continents B. In the interior regions of continents C. Scattered throughout continents D. Along only the eastern margins of continents

a

All minerals have a crystal form A. True B. False

a

Along the San Andreas Fault, the Pacific Plate is moving toward the northwest, relative to the North American plate. A. True B. False

a

As P-waves pass from mantle into the outer core, velocities drop abruptly. A. True B. False

a

At convergent plate boundary, two plates ___. A. Move together B. grind past each other C. reverse direction D. move apart

a

Crystal form is the external express of a mineral's orderly arrangement of its atom A. True B. False

a

High rock temperatures enhance plastic deformation and flow in the asthenosphere and inhibit brittle fracturing A. True B. False

a

Most volcanic island arcs are located in the __. A. Western Pacific B. Gulf of Mexico C. Caribbean Sea D. South Atlantic

a

Older oceanic lithosphere is cooler, thicker, and denser than young oceanic lithosphere A. True B. False

a

Subduction occurs because: A. The subducting lithosphere has a greater density than the underlying asthenosphere B. The subducting lithosphere has a lower density than the underlying asthenosphere C. The subducting lithosphere has the same density as the underlying asthenosphere D. All of the above answers are correct E. None

a

The Earth's magnetic field: A. Is a self-generating and self-reversing dynamo in the outer core B. Is a high temperature superconductor in the inner core C. Results from self-induction of rising magmas in the asthenosphere D. Is a permanent field due to magnetized, iron-rich, mineral grains in the oceanic lithosphere

a

The ___ of the Earth has the smallest volume A. Crust B. Outer core C. Mantle D. inner core

a

The gently sloping submerged surface extending from the shoreline toward the deep ocean is termed the: A. Continental shelf B. Continental slope C. Continental rise D. Submarine canyon

a

What is the main factor that triggers the formation of magma when a cold slab of oceanic lithosphere is subducted? A. the subducting slab supplies water to a wedge of hot mantle rock thereby lowering melting temperature B. friction between the subducting slab and the mantle rock generates enough heat to trigger melting C. the subducting slab carries sediment deep into earth where it melts D. the subducting plate displaces hot mantle which rises to form magma

a

Which of the following pairs of periods can be further divided into more periods? A. Quaternary and Tertiary Period B. Jurassic and Cambrian Periods C. Carboniferous and Tertiary Periods D. Cambrian and Neogene Periods

a

Which of the following silicate structures has the lowest silicon content? A. Isolated tetrahedron B. Single chain structure C. Three-Dimensional framework structure D. Double chain silicate structure E. Two-Dimensional sheet silicate structure

a

10. _______ is often paraphrased as "The present is the key to the past." A. Biblical prophesy B. Uniformitarianism C. Catastrophism D. Aristotelian logic

b

14. The currently accepted age of Earth is approximately 4.6 million years. A. True B. False

b

15. A scientific theory is a tentative or untested explanation that is proposed to explain scientific observations or questions. A. True B. False

b

3. Granite is a common mineral A. True B. False

b

4. The ratio of silicon atoms to oxygen atoms is the same in each of the various silicate structures A. True B. False

b

5. The ____ division of the geologic time scale is an era of the phanerozoic eon. A. Paleocene B. Paleozoic C. Permian D. Proterozoic

b

5. Which of these silicate minerals exhibits a sheet structure? A. quartz B. muscovite C. olivine D. feldspar

b

6. The ____ forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics. A. Asthenosphere B. Lithosphere C. Eosphere D. Astrosphere

b

7. All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for _____. A. The collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement B. Assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation C. The development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts D. Development of observations and experiments to test the hypothesis

b

At Convergent plate boundaries _____. A. New lithosphere is forming B. old lithosphere is being destroyed C. neither a or b D. both a and b

b

At transform fault boundaries, two plates __. A. Move together B. grind past each other C. join to produce a larger plate D. move apart

b

Earth's rigid outer layer is called: A. Cryosphere B. Lithosphere C. asthenosphere D. Mesosphere

b

In the United States, which of the following Geologic Time Periods is referred to as the Carboniferous Period in Europe? A. Devonian and Tertiary Periods B. Pennsylvanian and Mississippi Periods C. Cambrian and Jurassic Periods D. Ordovician and Neogene Periods E. Quaternary and Tertiary Periods

b

Most common minerals have specific gravity of between _________ A. 1.7 and 2.0 B. 2.5 and 3.0 C. 3.7 and 4.0 D. 4.7 and 5.0 E. >5.0

b

New oceanic crust is created at divergent boundaries at a rate of about: A. centimeters per century B. 5 centimeters per year C. 5 meters per year

b

The fact that ___ is a good evidence for a solidified inner core A. S-waves do not pass directly through the core B. P-waves are faster in the inner core than in the outer core C. S-waves are slower in the inner core than in outer core D. S-waves are focused at the center of the P-wave shadow zone

b

The inner core is probably liquid iron because it has the characteristics of a permanent magnet A. True B. False

b

The lithosphere is thickest under the oceans and thinnest beneath the continents. A. True B. False

b

The mineral Quartz exhibits some type of cleavage A. True B. False

b

The most important or primary role of minerals is _________ A. its use for making gemstones B. that it forms the building block of rocks C. that it supported the Bronze Age D. that gold is used in making jewelry E. All of the above

b

The most prominent feature on the ocean floor is the: A. Deep-ocean trenches B. Oceanic ridges C. Seamounts D. Lava plateaus

b

The theory of plate tectonics holds that the outer rigid layer of Earth is broken into about a dozen major segments called shields. A. True B. False

b

Transform faults occur where plates slide past one another and generate new lithosphere A. True B. false

b

When an oceanic plate and a continental plate converge, a(an) _______ is formed along a subduction zone. A. asthenosphere rise B. oceanic trench C. Oceanic ridge D. transform fault E. rift

b

Whenever a slab of oceanic lithosphere converges with a slab of continental lithosphere ________. A. the continental lithosphere descends into the asthenosphere B. the continental lithosphere gets pushed toward the ridge C. the oceanic lithosphere descends into the asthenosphere D. the oceanic lithosphere gets pushed oward the ridge

b

Which of the following best characterizes how the diameter of Earth's core and the nature of the outer core were discovered A. Crystalline iron was found in lavas erupted from the deepest known hot spots B. By analysis of the P-wave and S-wave shadow zone C. Because P-wave speeds are higher in the outer core than in the lower mantle D. By using the ratio of iron meteorites to stony meteorites to deduce the relative diameters of the core and mantle

b

Which of the following is a part of Geosphere? A. All plants and animals B. Lithospheric plates C. Gases around planet Earth D. All the water bodies E. C and D

b

Which of these plates is the largest? A. Nazca B. Pacific C. Australian-Indian D. African

b

Which of these water bodies was once a rift valley? A. Lake Michigan B. Red Sea C. Caspian Sea D. Black Sea

b

Which one of these mountain belts was NOT formed by a continental collision? A. Himalayas B. Andes C. Appalachians D. Urals

b

_____ marks the edge of a continent A. An offshore, barrier island system B. The lowest part of the continental slope C. The center of an abyssal plain D. The highest part of the continental shelf

b

12. The ________ proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same time from a rotating cloud of gases and dust. A. Big Bang theory B. Plate tectonics C. Nebula hypothesis D. Heliocentric theory

c

3.________ was an important 18th century English geologist and proponent of uniformitarianism. A.Charles Lyell B.Isaac Newton C.James Hutton D.James Ussher

c

4. The currently accepted age of Earth is ______ years. A. 4.6 thousand B. 6.1 trillion C. 4.6 billion D. 6.1 thousand E. 6.4 million

c

8. The ____ refers to the total of all life on Earth. A. Hydrosphere B. Atmosphere C. biosphere D. asthenosphere

c

All silicate minerals contain which of the following two elements? A. iron , silicon B. magnesium, silicon C. silicon, oxygen D. iron, magnesium E. silicon, calcium

c

As plates move apart, the gap between them is filled with molten rock called ___. A. granite B. silica C. magma D. gooze

c

Most divergent boundaries are located: A. In mountain regions such as the Alps and Himalayas B. in deep-ocean trenches C. along oceanic ridges D. in the center of large continents

c

Most of the largest plates ______. A. Consist primarily of oceanic crust B. are dominated by continental crust C. contain large amounts of both oceanic and continental crust D. None

c

The Aleutian Islands, Tonga Islands, and Japan are examples of _____. A.. continental volcanic arcs B. continental platforms C. volcanic island arcs D. a chain of seamounts

c

The Earth's magnetic field originates by: A. Weak electrical currents associated with hot, rising mantle plumes B. Magnetic mineral grains in the inner core C. Weak electrical currents associated with fluid motions in the outer core D. Magnetization of oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the atmospheric ozone layers by solar radiation

c

The P-wave shadow zone is largely the result of: A. reflection of P-waves from the inner core - outer core boundary B. Lower P-wave velocities in the mantle than in the crust C. Refraction of P-waves crossing the mantle- outer core boundary D. Reflection of P-waves at the boundary between the inner and outer cores

c

The ___ of the Earth does not transmit S-waves A. Outer mantle B. Inner core C. Outer core D. Deep mantle

c

The deepest portion of the ocean basin is in the Mariana Trench with a depth below sea level of about: A. -2.32 km B. -8.84 km C. -11.03 km D. -840 m

c

Volcanoes associated with continental volcanic arcs generally _____. A. are located on islands like Hawaii B. emit mainly lava flows C. erupt explosively D. erupt on the average of every 1000 yrs

c

What layer of Earth allows the plates to Move? A. cryosphere B. lithosphere C. asthenosphere D. mesosphere

c

Which of the following Phanerozoic Era has the highest number of periods? A. Cenozoic Era B. Mesozoic Era C. Paleozoic Era D. B and C E. None

c

Which of the following is NOT true of deep ocean trenches? A. They are long and narrow depressions B. They are sites where plates plunge back into the mantle C. They are geologically very stable D. They may act as sediment traps

c

Which of the following is the most appropriate path of water from the ocean to the continent in the hydrological cycle? A. Evaporation => precipitation => condensation => runoff B. Precipitation => evaporation => runoff => condensation C. Evaporation => condensation => precipitation => runoff D. Runoff => precipitation => evaporation

c

Which one of the following sets of two terms describes how a mineral responds to mechanical impact? A. luster, hardness B. hardness, cleavage C. cleavage, fracture D. fracture, crystal form

c

Which one of the following would most likely be covered with thick turbidite layers? A. Axial rift zone of an active mid-oceanic spreading center B. Upper part of a steep, narrow, submarine canyon C. Deep-sea fan at the base of a continental slope D. Ocean floor around a conical-shaped seamount

c

11. ______, a popular natural philosophy of the 17th and early 18th centuries, was based on a firm belief in a very short geologic history for Earth. A. Ecospherism B. Exoschism C. Uniformitarianism D. Catastrophism

d

All ferromagnesium minerals contain one or both of these elements A. magnesium, potassium B. potassium, sodium C. sodium, potassium D. iron, magnesium

d

Convergent plate margins occur where two plates are moving toward one another and the movement is accommodated by: A. Earth getting larger B. one plate sliding horizontally past the other C. new material being added at transform fault boundaries D. one plate descending beneath the other

d

Most volcanic island arcs are located near __. A. An oceanic ridge B. a transform fault C. a rift valley D. a deep-oceanic trench

d

Submarine canyons found on the continental slope and rise are believed to have been created: A. By rivers during the ice age B. By faulting C. Because of a plate plunging into the mantle D. None of the above

d

The Andes and Cascades exemplify which of these features? A. deep-oceanic trench B. oceanic ridge C. forearc basin D. continental volcanic arc

d

The ____ lies at the base of the continental slope A. Offshore shelf B. Off-slope reef C. Continental rift D. Continental rise

d

The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ____ of the Earth A. Outer core B. Crust C. Inner core D. Mantle

d

The mechanism that has generated the floors of the world's oceans is called _____. A. ocean floor convergence B. Ocean floor construction C. seafloor construction D. seafloor spreading

d

The most common group of rock-forming minerals is the _____ A. oxides B. carbonates C. sulfides D. silicates E. sulfates

d

What percentage of geologic time is accounted for by the Precambrian Eon of time? A. 10% B. 48% C. 60% D. 88% E. 100%

d

When divergent plate boundaries continue to operate within a continent, the landmass may ___. Select ALL that apply. A. get much thicker B. begin to subduct into the mantle C. develop a rift valley D. split into two smaller continents

d

Which of the following physical properties of minerals is least valid for its identification? A. crystal form B. cleavage C. streak D. color E. hardness

d

Which one of the following is not a property used to identify minerals? A. hardness B. streak C. crystal form D. texture

d

Which one of the following is not included in the definition of a mineral? A. solid B. definite chemical composition C. inorganic D. unordered internal structure

d

____ discovered the crust-mantle seismic discontinuity in ____. A. Beno Gutenbery; 1936 B. Petrovich Divac; 1914 C. Charles Richter; 1888 D. Andrija Mohorovicic, 1909

d

____ is probably closest in chemical composition to the upper mantle A. Granite B. Shale C. Andesite D. Peridotite

d

____ transmits P-waves but not S-waves A. Inner core B. Mantle C. Crust D. Outer core

d

______ are thought to be similar in composition to Earth's mantle A. Shooting star B. Metallic meteorites C. Cosmic gas clouds D. Stony meteorites

d

The rock forming the mantle layer of the Earth's interior is: A. Granite B. Basalt C. Gabbro D. Quartzite E. Peridotite

e