GEOL 101
The best estimate of the age of the universe is?
14 billion years old
Major tectonic plates occur on the Earth?
25
Nuclear fuel rod is useful in generation of electricity for about: - 3 months - 30 years - 3 years - indefinite life span
3 months
Earthquake of Richter magnitude 6.5 than a quake of magnitude 5.5, about how much more energy is released? - 300 times - 100 times - 2 times - 30 times
30 times
How old is the Earth?
4.5 billion years old
Dip and strike of a vertical surface is represented on a map as:
A circle with a cross in it
Monocline, which statement best applies to the term? - typically occurs in a repetitive pattern - a fold which only has one limb - erosion exposes the youngest rock units along the axial part of the fold - a fold in which all rock units dip toward the axis
A fold which only has 1 limb
Unconformity, what is it?
A gap in the geologic record
Dip and strike of a horizontal surface is represented on a map as:
A straight line that is crossed by a shorter line
Felsic igneous rocks - select true statement - Felsic rocks contain less silica than mafic rocks. - Felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures than mafic rocks - Felsic rocks tend to be darker-colored than mafic rocks - Felsic rocks tend to be finer-grained than mafic rocks
Felsic rocks crystallize at lower temperatures than mafic rocks
Parallel alignment of mica in a metamorphic rock is an example of:
Foliation
Sedimentary rocks, which statement is not true?
Formed deep in the Earth from molten rock
How many oxygen atoms combine with a silicon atom to form a single silicon-oxygen tetrahedron?
Four
Example of a mafic intrusive rock?
Gabbro
Which of the following is not true? - sea levels rose significantly during the ice age - glaciers are the most powerful erosional agent on Earth - thousands of valley glaciers are in existence today - glaciers can carry huge blocks of rock long distances
Glaciers are the most powerful erosional agent on Earth
Change in ________ can often cause mass extinctions of animals that are adapted to warm, tropical waters.
Global climate
Potential mechanism for the movement of individual plates? - slab pull - gravitational pull from the moon - drag from mantle convection - slab push
Gravitational pull from the moon
Geologic term for a crack in the Earth along which no appreciable movement has occurred?
Joint
Sahara desert of Africa exists. Which of the following best explains why..? - lies in the rain shadow of coastal mountains - lies near 30°N latitude - the sandy soil of the Sahara desert drains so quickly that vegetation is unable to grow - lies thousands of kilometers from the ocean
Lies near 30°N latitude
Karst topography is a landscape shaped by the dissolution of:
Limestone
Seismic waves arrive at a seismograph station, correctly list the order? - P waves, L waves, S waves - P waves, S waves, L waves - S waves, P waves, L waves - L waves, P waves, S waves
P waves, S waves, L waves
Seismic waves propagated by compression (push-pull)?
P-Waves
Basaltic magma eruption under cold water, what kind of structure?
Pillow lavas
Glacier movement that involves the slow deformation of ice crystals is referred to as: - crystal slip - plastic flow - basal sliding - hydromovement
Plastic flow
Axis of a fold is not horizontal, the feature is called an:
Plunging anticline (or syncline)
Minerals with the same chemical composition, but with different crystal structure, such as diamonds and graphite, are called?
Polymorphs
Primary difference between breccia and conglomerate is that conglomerate ________?
Possesses more rounded grains than breccia
Volcanic materials which are violently ejected into the atmosphere during an eruption are called?
Pyroclasts
British unit of heat energy is: - quad - U-235 equivalents - meter-lb - hectare
Quad
Which of the following minerals is not composed of a single element? a. graphite b. diamond c. quartz d. sulfur
Quartz
Las Vegas is located in a(n): - continental desert - latitudinal desert - intermontane desert - rain shadow desert
Rain shadow desert
Two kinks in the seismic wave path are examples of seismic __________. - reflection - tomography - isostasy - refraction
Refraction
Example of a felsic extrusive rock?
Rhyolite
Rock that has the same composition as granite?
Rhyolite
What characterize the chemistry of mafic rocks?
Rich in magnesium and iron
Seismologists have discovered that both S and P waves travel at higher velocity in the oceanic crust than in the continental crust, this observation implies that:
Rocks of the oceanic crust are denser and more rigid than the continental crust
Seismic waves propagate by shear (bending) motion? - Rayleigh waves - P-S waves - S-waves - P-waves
S-waves (? double-check ?)
The city of Detroit is home to large underground ____ mines. - copper - iron - zinc - salt
Salt
Rock types that would make the best oil reservoir? - granite - shale - salt - sandstone
Sandstone
Fault that is exposed at the surface is referred to as a: - scarp - head-face - offset-gouge - slickenside
Scarp
Fossil that is composed of footprints or burrows?
Trace fossils
San-Andreas fault is what type of boundary? - convergent - transform - divergent - fault-block
Transform
Earthquakes occur as the Earth's crust accumulates and releases stress. (T or F)
True
Earthquakes send out seismic waves in all directions. (T or F)
True
Energy released by an earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 2 is roughly one-thousandth (0.001) of the amount released by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4. (T or F)
True
Hypothesis that withstands many tests may be called a theory. (T or F)
True
Iron-rich minerals crystallizing from molten rock (lava) will orient towards Earth's magnetic pole. (T or F)
True
Limbs of a syncline dip inwards toward the fold hinge. (T or F)
True
Sahara and Antarctica are considered deserts. - True - False
True
Stress is applied to rocks over a long (geologic) time, the rocks tend to deform by ductile deformation. (T or F)
True
Viewed horizontally, the limbs of a syncline resemble a "V" pointing up toward the Earth's surface.
True
Relative dating of geologic materials aims to:
Understand the time sequence of events for a particular geologic setting
Principle of Superposition states that:
Undisturbed sedimentary layers are youngest at the top, oldest at the bottom
Principle of ____ states that geologic processes operating today are similar to those in the past.
Uniformitarianism
Colorado Plateau was created by: - fissure eruptions of basaltic lava - erosion of the ancestral Rocky Mountains - uplift of marine sedimentary rocks - massive and widespread thrust faulting
Uplift of marine sedimentary rocks (? double-check ?)
Velociraptors in Jurassic park inaccurate?
Velociraptors has feathers and were ~1 meter tall
Disconformity is:
An erosional surface between horizontal layers of sedimentary rocks
Inactive convergent boundary, what is an example:
Andes Mountains
Horizontal line labeled X-X' is a(n):
Angular unconformity
Meteorites provide clues to the composition of the Earth's interior because they:
Are believed to be similar in composition to the raw materials that formed Earth
Mineral that effervesces (fizz) when exposed to hydrochloric acid?
Calcite
Crater Lake, Oregon is an example of a? A. Shield volcano B. Cinder cone C. Volcanic dome D. Caldera
Caldera
Rock that consist of fragments of other rocks that have been cemented together:
Clastic
Thrust faults result from:
Compressional stress
General pressures in all directions, such as the pressure that an underwater diver feels?
Confining pressure
Which of the following lists is written in the correct order of decreasing particle size?
Conglomerate, Sandstone, Siltstone
Alfred Wegner's hypothesis for movement of the continents was termed: - plate tectonics - sea floor spreading - planetary dynamisms - continental drift
Continental drift
The Yellowstone caldera was formed by?
Continental volcanic hot spot
Earthquakes that originate at depths greater than 100 km are associated with ______ plate boundaries.
Convergent
Earthquakes that originate at depths greater than 100 km are associated with ______ plate boundaries. - divergent - convergent - convergent, divergent, and transform - transform
Convergent
The Andes Mountains of South America formed at which of the following types of plate boundary?
Convergent
What type of boundary involves two of the Earth's tectonic plates colliding into one another?
Convergent
Plate tectonic boundaries:
Convergent, Divergent, Transform
When 2 atoms share electrons, a(n) ____ bond is formed.
Covalent bond
Mass extinction event have wiped out the dinosaurs?
Cretaceous-Jurassic (65 Ma)
Structure observable in Red rock canyon and Zion represent ancient large dunes:
Crossbeddings
Earth's thinnest layer is...
Crust
What are 3 main ways to melt rocks?
Decreasing pressure, increasing temperature, addition of fluids
The hardest mineral on the Mohs hardness scale?
Diamond
Earth caused denser materials to "sink" near the center? - differentiation - planetary accretion - global warming - the rock cycle
Differentiation
Discordant intrusive igneous body that results when magma is injected into fractures
Dike
Crustal boundary is new oceanic crust formed, what type?
Divergent
Mid-ocean ridges, the existence was discovered: - when ridges became exposed at a time of lowered sea level - during World War Two - by the Hubble telescope - while searching for the wreckage of the Titanic
During World War Two
Earth's surface is protected from solar wind and cosmic radiation by?
Earth's magnetic field
Last member of a species dies, this is called:
Extinction
Aftershocks are commonly used for earthquake prediction. (T or F)
False
Brittle deformation is responsible for the folding of rocks deep in Earth's crust. (T or F)
False
Dip of a sedimentary layer is defined as the compass direction (N-E-S-W) of that layer where it is exposed at the Earth's surface. (T or F)
False
Divergent boundary could never form on land. (T or F)
False
Needle on a compass points south when the Earth's magnetic field has normal polarity. (T or F)
False
New ocean floor is formed all along the western coast of South America. (T or F)
False
Radioactive atom decays, the abundance of the stable daughter element decreases. (T or F)
False
Reversal of Earth's magnetic field indicates that ocean crust is all the same age. (T or F)
False
Velocity of a seismic wave speeds up (increases) as the rock becomes less dense. (T or F)
False
Viewed horizontally, the limbs of an anticline resemble a "V" pointing up toward the Earth's surface. (T or F)
False
Wegner's evidence for his theories included the discovery of magnetic polarization stripes on the ocean floors. (T or F)
False
Fault is different from a joint because:
Faults show evidence of movement along the fracture
Igneous rock with the highest silica content?
Felsic
Most common elements in Earth's crust?
Oxygen and Silicon
Environmental consequence of mining ore deposits that contain sulfide minerals like pyrite is: - acid mine drainage - anthropogenic seismic activity - the release of asbestiform fibers - global warming
Acid mine drainage
Metamorphism, which of the following processes will cause it? - all of the above - an increase in pressure - interaction with hydrothermal fluids - an increase in temperature
All of the above
Where does magma typically erupt onto the surface? a. along divergent plate boundaries b. along convergent plate boundaries c. along volcanic hot spots d. all of the above
All of the above
Massive and discordant intrusive igneous bodies have a surface exposure of at least 100 sq km is called?
Batholith
The Sierra Nevada Mountains in southern California are an example of a:
Batholith
Cemented shells of marine organisms form which kind of sedimentary rock?
Biochemical
Petrified wood is a type of:
Body fossil
Iceland displays magma formed by:
Both mid-ocean ridge and hot-spots
Statement best describes the behavior of rocks during deformation?
Brittle materials deform by faulting, whereas ductile materials deform by folding
Offshore oil rigs are often designed with large torches that continually spout flames. The purpose of these torches is to: - serve as a warning beacon to planes and ships - heat the oil so that it can be transported more cheaply through pipelines - burn off unwanted natural gas - release heat that is produced during oil production
Burn off unwanted natural gas
The existence of mid-ocean ridges was first discovered by: - Harry Hess during World War II - a United Nations joint research vessel in the 1960's - Alfred Wegner while accompanying the scientific voyage of the HMS Beagle - an exploration vessel commissioned by the Standard Oil Company
Harry Hess during World War II
Magmas erupting along the mid-oceanic ridges? A. are mafic in composition B. create basaltic lavas C. have low viscosity D. all of the above
Have low viscosity
A true statement about lava?
High temperature lavas are less viscous than low temperatures lavas.
Contact metamorphism, direct cause is:
Igneous intrusion
Energy from biomass - which of the following is true regarding generation of: - production from corn does not require fossil fuels - includes burning dried animal dung - ethanol produces better mileage than gasoline - accounts for approximately 24% of world energy usage
Includes burning dried animal dung
Himalaya Mountains were produced when:
India converged with Asia
Igneous rocks that are formed (crystallized) beneath the earth's surface are called?
Intrusive
Most common type of bonding in minerals?
Ionic bonding
Earth's composition, what is most common element?
Iron
The earth's inner core is composed primarily of what?
Iron
What statement is true? - Macro-evolution studies changes in genes between generation, or some new species - Micro-evolution only focuses on small animals - Paleontologists study microevolution. The next five questions refer to the following geologic cross-section. Units A, B, C, D, E, and F are sedimentary rocks. Unit G is a granite and we cannot know if it is tilted. - Macro-evolution focuses on trends in evolution on the order of thousands to millions of years (timings of splits in major groups)
Macro-evolution focuses on trends in evolution on the order of thousands to millions of years (timings of splits in major groups)
Gasoline prices in the US rise as a hurricane approaches the southeastern portion of the country is: - major oil refineries are located on the gulf coast - gasoline demand increases due to hoarding - most of the oil used in the US is produced in Texas and Louisiana which are prone to hurricane damage - offshore platforms must be lowered into their protective foundations
Major oil refineries are located on the gulf coast
Statements regarding the fossil record is FALSE? - Only some of Earth's history is recorded in the rock record - The fossil record does not contain any fossil remains of plants, only animals - Many organisms have a low preservation potential - Paleontologists have not yet found all the fossils that are in rocks.
Many organisms have a low preservation potential.
Rock that forms through metamorphism of limestone?
Marble
Biggest and highest volcano in the solar system?
Mars
Moraine forms when the lateral moraines of two valley glaciers merge. - tarn - kettle - drumlin - medial
Medial
Scale that uses human observations to rate earthquake intensity?
Mercalli
The 4 inner planets closest to the Sun
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Metamorphic rock has undergone partial melting (and thus is part igneous, part metamorphic)?
Migmatite
Magma rising towards the surface of the Earth, why?
Most magmas are more dense than solid rock
Sand will accumulate _______ of a boulder. - mostly on the lee side (downwind) - equally on the lee side and the windward side - mostly on the windward side (upwind) - neither on the lee side nor on the windward side
Mostly on the lee side (downwind)
Hanging wall goes down with respect to the footwall:
Normal dip-slip fault
Fault that is often associated with divergent plate tectonics:
Normal fault
If you measure the amount of parent and daughter in a mineral and find that the mineral contains 50 daughter atoms and 50 parent atoms, how many half-lives have occurred?
One
Valley glaciers. Which of the following is NOT true. - thousands of these glaciers exist today - leave lateral moraines along their edges - form in preexisting stream valleys - only occur in Antarctica
Only occur in Antarctica
Fossils are most common in which rock types?
Sedimentary
Principle of Original Horizontality states that:
Sediments are deposited as essentially horizontal layers
Low grade metamorphism of ________ produces slate.
Shale
Rock that is composed of clay-sized clastic sediment?
Shale
Limestone, what kind of environment does it form in?
Shallow and warm waters
Thrust fault is a:
Shallowly dipping reverse fault
Valley glaciers _________ topography and continental glaciers act to _________ it. - sharpen, smooth - smooth, sharpen - sharpen, sharpen - smooth, smooth
Sharpen, smooth
Seismic waves that are S-waves?
Shear Waves
Hawaiian islands are formed by volcanoes of this type?
Shield volcanoes
Most of the minerals of igneous rocks are:
Silicates
Rock forming minerals found in the crust of the Earth, most common?
Silicates
Silicate materials contain these 2 elements
Silicon, oxygen
Karst terrain includes this type of structures?
Sinkholes
Correct order of increasing degree of metamorphism (from low to high grade)? - slate, schist, gneiss - slate, gneiss, schist - phyllite, slate, schist - schist, slate, phyllite
Slate, Schist, Gneiss
Volcano that consists of alternating layers of pyroclastic material (ash, cinders) and flows of viscous lava.
Strato Volcano
Volcanoes found in the Cascades?
Stratovolcanoes
Transform boundary, which process is most likely to occur? - volcanism - stream offsets - rifting - subduction
Stream offsets (? double-check ?)
Grooves cut in the bedrock that show the direction of movement by a glacier. - striations - drumlins - moraines - kames
Striations
Common consequence of continent-continent convergence? - mountain building - subduction of the older plate - intense folding - reverse faulting
Subduction of the older plate
Seismic waves that is the slowest?
Surface Waves
Indication that a seismogram is collected within 100 km of the epicenter because:
Surface waves do not travel far from epicenter
Lithosphere consists of:
The Earth's crust and outermost part of the mantle
Aftershocks, which statement is true? - the number and sizes of aftershocks both decrease with time - the number of aftershocks decreases with time, while the sizes of aftershocks increase with time. - the number of aftershocks increases with time, while the sizes of aftershocks decrease with time - the number and sizes of aftershocks both increase with time
The number and sizes of aftershocks both decrease with time
Transform faults are necessary to accommodate the motion of Earth's plates because: - they help to subduct the ocean crust - they keep the Earth from expanding - the plates are all different shapes and move in different directions - they are required to offset energy from deep earthquakes
The plates are all different shapes and move in different directions
Coal and petroleum considered to be fossil fuels, why? - coal beds and petroleum reservoir rocks contain abundant fossils - their energy content is derived from ancient sunlight - carbon dioxide released during their combustion contributes to the greenhouse effect - large amounts of oxygen found in petroleum and coal came from ancient atmospheres
Their energy content is derived from ancient sunlight
Salt is precipitated from seawater in the San Francisco area because: - local consumers request sea salt - environmental regulations do not allow importation of salt - there are no mineable salt deposits near San Francisco - salt is so soluble that it cannot be mined
There are no mineable salt deposits near San Francisco
San Andreas Fault is much more complicated in the Los Angeles area than in Northern California because:
There is a kink, or bend in the plate boundary near LA
Principle of Crosscutting Relationships states that:
Younger geologic features cut across older ones
Basaltic lava is covered by sharp edged blocks and rubble, what is the type of surface?
aa
