Geology Exam 1
Which layer on the above figure is the continental crust? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
a) A
Name the cycle that describes water processes that occur on land, in the atmosphere, and in the oceans. a) hydrologic b) rock c) spin d) life
a) hydrologic
Rocks are composed of: a) minerals b) elements c) glass
a) minerals
What three kinds of particles are the main building blocks of an atom? a) nucleus, proteus, lattice b) spheroid, cube, tetrahedron c) proton, neutron, electron d) hydrogen, helium, bohrium e) none of these
c) proton, neutron, and electron
What mineral test is shown in this photograph? a) scratch test b) effervescence c) streak d) magnetism e) specific gravity
c) streak
Which potential geologic hazard is NOT represented by a feature on this figure? an earthquake b) a volcano c) contaminated groundwater d) a landslide e) flood-prone areas
c. contaminated groundwater
A mineral property that can be observed without using a test is: a) effervescence b) magmatism c) hardness d) cleavage e) all of these
d) cleavage
How did the Red Sea, shown between Arabia and Africa in this figure, form? a) subduction of Arabia beneath Africa b) subduction of Africa beneath Arabia c) a continental collision d) continental rifting followed by seafloor spreading e) transform faulting followed by a continental collision
d) continental rifting followed by seafloor spreading
What are the two main ways that minerals are put together in rocks? a) igneous versus metamorphic b) igneous versus sedimentary c) metamorphic versus sedimentary d) crystalline versus clastic
d) crystalline versus clastic
Which layer in the earth is similar to the composition of granite? a)continental crust b) oceanic crust c) upper mantle d) lower mantle e) core
a) continental crust
On the map above identify which letter is over an island arc. a) A b) B c) C d) D e) feature is not labeled
a.) A
The distribution of natural resources is influenced by the: a) type of rocks b) age of the rocks c) way in which the rocks formed d) all of these
d. all of these
Which area(s) on this world map is likely to have volcanoes above sea level? a) A b) B c) C d) D
a) A
On the map above, identify which letter is over the Pacific Ocean. Pacific Ocean. a) A b) B c) C d) D e) feature is not labeled
a) A.
Identify the list that consists of ten common minerals ranked in order of increasing hardness, from 1 to 10. a) Mohs Hardness Scale b) Bowen's reaction series c) Breakage chart d) Specific gravity scale
a) Moh's Hardness Scale
The main difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is the: a) asthenosphere is less rigid b) asthenosphere flows less easily c) asthenosphere is cooler d) asthenosphere has more oceanic crust e) asthenosphere has more continental crust
a) asthenosphere is less rigid
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of rocks with clastic textures? a) composed of interlocking minerals b) composed of broken fragments of older eroded rocks c) commonly formed in low temperature environments
a) composed of interlocking minerals
Which layer in the earth has a composition similar to the granite shown in this photograph? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) mantle d) core
a) continental crust
Some continents continue outward from the shoreline under shallow seawater, forming submerged benches called: a) continental shelves b) sea mounts c) island arcs d) island chains e) abyssal plains
a) continental shelves
What type of rock is shown in this photograph? a) crystalline rock b) clastic rock c) rock with minerals that are too small to see d) none of these
a) crystalline rock
The puzzle-like fit of the continents, similarity of rock types across continents, and glacial evidence all were pieces of evidence supporting Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift. What was another piece of supporting evidence? a) distribution of similar fossils across multiple continents b) land bridges were discovered connecting Africa and South America c) continents were found to have plowed through ocean basins to move into current positions d) gravitational pull of the Moon was found to be responsible for connecting Pangea
a) distribution of similar fossils across multiple continents
Using the diagram of figures, select the names of the plate boundaries that match the figures going left to right. a) divergent/convergent/transform b) convergent/divergent/transform c) divergent/transform/convergent d) convergent/transform/divergent e) transform/divergent/convergent f) transform/convergent/divergent
a) divergent/convergent/transform
The measure of an element's ability to attract electrons is its: a) electronegativity b) electromagnetic energy c) atomic number d) atomic mass
a) electronegativity
The main way new oceanic crust is created is by: a) eruption of lavas and solidification of magmas at depth b) sediment scraped off a subducting slab c) continents that subside below sea level d) continental rifting, before the continents separate e) magmas along an ocean-continent convergent boundary
a) eruption of lavas and solidification of magmas at depth
The two elements most abundant in the universe are: a) helium and hydrogen b) iron and magnesium c) sodium and potassium d) silicon and oxygen e) iron and nickel
a) helium and hydrogen
Which of the following is NOT a required criterion for a substance to be classified as a mineral? a) human-made b) naturally occurring c) crystalline solid d) inorganic
a) human-made
Which of the following is a mineral? a) ice b) crystals grown in a laboratory c) volcanic glass d) material with crystals of different chemical compounds e) none of these
a) ice
Rock that has formed from cooling magma or lava is: a) igneous rock b) metamorphic rock c) sedimentary rock
a) igneous rock
If rock is exposed to enough heat after metamorphism it will eventually: a) melt into magma b) crystallize into magma c) weather into magma d) solidify into magma
a) melt into magma
Heat, pressure, and deformation are processes that can create: a) metamorphic rocks b) igneous c) sedimentary
a) metamorphic rock
Minerals that do not contain silicon are classified as: a) nonsilicates b) silicates c) clays d) mafic
a) nonsilicates
Which of the following Earth layers is the thinnest? a) oceanic crust b) upper mantle c) lower mantle d) outer core e) inner core
a) oceanic crust
A convergent plate boundary is most likely associated with a(n): a) oceanic trench b) a linear chain of island c) mid-ocean ridge d) transform fault e) none of these
a) oceanic trench
The rock cycle was conceived by James Hutton in an attempt to explain how: a) older rocks become new sediment b) the Earth was formed c) sedimentary rocks are formed deep within Earth d) metamorphism occurs in surface environments
a) older rocks become new sediment
Which of the following is generally a light-colored silicate mineral? a) quartz b) pyroxene c) amphibole d) biotite e) all of these
a) quartz
The image shows the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a submarine volcanic mountain belt that is a key location in the process of: a) seafloor spreading b) land bridges c) continental drift d) South Atlantic drift
a) seafloor spreading
What system is comprised of the Sun, planets, their moons, and other bodies that orbit the Sun? a) solar system b) planetary system c) galactic system d) ecosystem
a) solar system
The ratio of density of a mineral to that of freshwater is called the: a) specific gravity b) harness c) crystal shape d) cleavage
a) specific gravity
The study of the origin and arrangement of the broad structural features of Earth's surface is: a) tectonics b) geology c) structuralism
a) tectonics
Which of the following is NOT a way geology informs us about Earth's past? a) how the first second of the universe differed from a second today b) why continents and oceans are different c) why a landscape looks the way it does today d) how life in the past was different than today e) how past global climate was different than today
a. how the first second of the universe differed from a second today
Where is subduction occurring on this map of South America? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
b) B
Which layer on the above figure is the oceanic crust? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
b) B
On the map above, identify which letter is over the Atlantic ocean. a) A b) B c) C d) D e) feature is not labeled
b) B.
On the map below, identify which letter is over a mid-ocean ridge. a) A b) B c) C d) D e) feature is not labeled
b) B.
Choose the answer that best explains why a rock might not go through the complete rock cycle a) The exposed rock may never weather thus never enter the rock cycle again. b) Rock may be involved in a variety of processes in different sequences. c) Some rocks are forever trapped in the magma of the Earth.
b) Rock may be involved in a variety of processes in different sequences.
Which of the following is the best description of what the lithosphere contains? a) continental and oceanic crust b) both types of crust and the uppermost mantle c) weak part of the upper mantle d) upper and lower mantle e) lower mantle and outer core
b) both types of crust and the uppermost mantle
What type of rock is shown in this photograph? a) crystalline rock b) clastic rock c) rock with minerals that are too small to see d) none of these
b) clastic rock
Which of the following contains a modern continental rift? a) eastern North America b) eastern Africa c) eastern Europe d) eastern Pacific Ocean e) East Timor
b) eastern Africa
What mineral test is shown in this photograph? a) scratch test b) effervescence c) streak d) magnetism e) specific gravity
b) effervescence
Of Earth's four overlapping spheres, which of the following does NOT involve material above Earth's surface? a) atmosphere b) lithosphere c) biosphere d) hydrosphere
b) lithosphere
Which of the following is associated with a mid-ocean ridge? a) an island arc b) magma produced as the mantles rise up c) melting of the subducting plate d) lower topography than surrounding seafloor e) continental rift
b) magma produced as the mantles rise up
Which layer in the earth is similar in composition to basalt, a dark lava rock? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) upper mantle d) lower mantle e) core
b) oceanic crust
Which of the following is NOT composed of calcium carbonate? a) calcite b) pyrite c) marble d) shells e) limestone
b) pyrite
What type of atom is represented by the small brown sphere in the center of this silica tetrahedron? a) aluminum b) silicon c) iron d) chlorine e) sulfur
b) silicon
What type of silicate minerals is shown from this arrangement of silicon tetrahedron? a) independent tetrahedra b) single chains c) double chains d) sheets e) frameworks
b) single chains
Which of the following does NOT list processes in an order consistent with a logical progression through the rock cycle? a) weathering, erosion, deposition b) solidification, melting, burial c) erosion, deposition, burial d) uplift, weathering, erosion e) burial, metamorphism, melting
b) solidification, melting, burial
What is the most likely reason why a region is higher than adjacent regions? a) there is a hot spot beneath it b) the crust is thicker c) it is underlain by oceanic crust d) the asthenosphere is hotter e) the crust is hotter
b) the crust is thicker
What characteristic of water helps it cause a mineral, such as halite, to dissolve? ) the small size of the hydrogen atoms b) the polar nature of the water molecule c) the electronegativity of hydrogen d) the electronegativity of oxygen e) all of these
b) the polar nature of the water molecule
Magma is molten rock that occurs: a) on the surface b) underground
b) underground
Continental ice sheets were more common 28,000 years ago than they are today because: a) the Earth had more water then than now b) the Earth was cooler then than now c) the Earth was further away from the Sun then than now
b. the Earth was cooler than now
If the area shown in this figure is 240 kilometers wide, and the oldest crust is 4 million years old, what was the approximate rate of seafloor spreading across this ridge? a) 0.24 kilometers per million years b) 2.4 kilometers per million years c) 60 kilometers per million years d) 240 kilometers per million years e) 960 kilometers per million years
c) 60 kilometers per millions years
Which layer on this figure is the upper mantle? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
c) C
What mineral is shown in this photograph? a) quartz b) feldspar c) calcite d) hematite e) magnetite
c) calcite
According to the rock cycle, sediment that is being transported by a river could become a metamorphic rock after: a) uplift and weathering b) melting and solidification c) deposition and burial d) solidification and uplift
c) deposition and burial
Which of the following is NOT a typical environment in which a sedimentary rock forms? a) beside glaciers b) river channels c) heating next to a magma d) deep seafloor e) shoreline of a lake
c) heating next to a magma
Which layer in the earth has a composition similar to the green olivine in the center of this rock? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) mantle d) core
c) mantle
Which layer in the earth is similar to the green mineral olivine? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) mantle d) core
c) mantle
Which of the following Earth layers is the thickest? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) mantle d) outer core
c) mantle
A divergent plate boundary is most likely associated with a(n): a) oceanic trench b) mountain belt or island arc c) mid-ocean ridge d) none of these
c) mid-ocean ridge
An oceanic transform plate boundary is most likely associated with a(n): a) oceanic trench b) mountain belt or island arc c) mid-ocean ridge d) all of these
c) mid-ocean ridge
The Earth's magnetic field is generated by: a) salty water moving through the deep parts of the crust b) convection currents in the asthenosphere c) movement of iron and electrical currents within Earth's outer core d) aligned magnetic minerals within Earth's inner core
c) movement of iron and electrical currents within Earth's outer core
This figure depicts what type of boundary? a) oceanic divergent boundary b) ocean-ocean convergent boundary c) ocean-continent convergent boundary d) transform boundary e) continental collision
c) ocean-continent convergent boundary
What occurs at mid-ocean ridges? a) oceanic crust is destroyed b) continental crust is destroyed c) oceanic crust is created d) continental crust is created e) all crust is destroyed by magma
c) oceanic crust is created
The main reason why the hypothesis of continental drift was not widely accepted was: a) The hypothesis required that the entire Earth was once frozen. b) The hypothesis required long, narrow land bridges that did not exist. c) There was no mechanism to move continents through the oceanic crust. d) All of these were reasons the hypothesis was not widely accepted.
c) there was no mechanism to move continents through the oceanic crust
Which of the following is NOT a main type of silicate structure? a) single chains b) double chains c) triple chains d) sheets e) frameworks
c) triple chains
Which of the following best represents the sequence by which a continent splits apart? a) seafloor spreading, then continental rifting, then uplift due to mantle upwelling b) continental rifting, then seafloor spreading, then uplift due to mantle upwelling c) uplift due to mantle upwelling, then continental rifting, then seafloor spreading d) none of these
c) uplift due to mantle upwelling, then continental rifting, then seafloor spreading
The main layers of the Earth in correct order, from the surface moving down, are: a)upper crust, outer core, inner core, mantle b) outer core, inner core, upper mantle, lower crust c) crust, mantle, outer core, inner core d) upper mantle, lower mantle, inner core, crust
c. crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
A cube of some rock weighs 6 grams, and a same-sized cube of water weighs 2 grams. What is the specific gravity of this rock? a) 0.5 b) 1 c) 2 d) 3 e) 6
d) 3
On the accompanying figure, which letter is over the youngest oceanic crust? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) E
d) D
Important characteristics to observe in rocks include: a) types of minerals present b) sizes and shapes of crystals c) presence or absence of layers d) all of the above
d) all of the above
42. Which data were used to develop the hypothesis of continental drift? a) the shape of the continents b) the distribution of fossils c) the distribution of glacial deposits and directions of glacial scratch marks d) all of these
d) all of these
Which of the following is true about rocks and minerals? a) a rock can contain more than one mineral b) a mineral is composed of chemical elements c) a single rock can include more than one mineral d) all of these
d) all of these
Which of the following is NOT a major class of rock-forming minerals? a) silicates b) carbonates c) oxides d) argonites
d) argonities
What types of plate boundaries are shown in this figure? a) divergent b) convergent c) transform d) divergent and transform e) convergent and divergent
d) divergent and transform
What mineral is shown in this photograph? a) quartz b) feldspar c) calcite d) hematite e) magnetite
d) hematite
Which of the following is NOT an environment in which an igneous rock forms? a) explosive eruption of volcanic ash b) cooling and solidification of lava c) solidification of magma at depth d) intense squeezing from tectonic forces e) all of these are environments that form igneous rock
d) intense squeezing from tectonic forces
What mineral property is illustrated by this photograph? a) crystal form b) cleavage c) color d) luster
d) luster
What mineral test is shown in this photograph? a) scratch test b) effervescence c) streak d) magnetism e) specific gravity
d) magnetism
The most important class of rock-forming minerals on Earth is: a) halides b) sulfates c) native minerals d) silicates e) asbestos
d) silicates
The two elements most abundant in the earth's crust are: a) helium and hydrogen b) iron and magnesium c) sodium and potassium d) silicon and oxygen e) iron and nickel
d) silicon and oxygen
Which of the following is NOT a main group of chemical elements on the Periodic Table? a) transition metals b) nonmetals c) noble gases d) sulfides
d) sulfides
Which of the following is NOT a possible reason for why a region is higher in elevation than adjacent regions? a) the lithosphere is hotter b) it has continental crust, but adjacent regions have oceanic crust c) the crust is thicker d) the crust is more dense
d) the crust is more dense
Which area(s) on this world map is likely to have earthquakes? a) A b) B c) C d) D e) A, B, and C only
e) A, B, and C only
How do silica tetrahedra bond in silicate minerals? a) with each other by sharing an oxygen b) with other elements, such as potassium c) in single or double chains d) in sheets e) all of these
e) all of these
Which of the following are tests we can quickly and easily perform (even in the field) to help us identify a mineral? a) hardness b) effervescence c) streak d) magnetism e) all of these
e) all of these
Which of the following is NOT a mineral? a) liquid water b) crystals grown in a laboratory c) volcanic glass d) piece of wood e) all of these
e) all of these
Of Earth's four overlapping spheres, which of the following is (are) mostly between the lithosphere and atmosphere? a) atmosphere b) lithosphere c) biosphere d) hydrosphere e) both the biosphere and hydrosphere
e) both the biosphere and hydrosphere
Which mineral property is the least reliable for identifying a mineral? a) cleavage b) luster c) crystal form d) streak e) color
e) color
Which layer in the earth is similar in composition to an iron-nickel meteorite? a) continental crust b) oceanic crust c) upper mantle d) lower mantle e) core
e) core
Which of the following is a silicate mineral? a) hematite b) pyrite c) gypsum d) calcite e) garnet
e) garnet
What is a diagnostic characteristic of a mineral used to make a cement slab in your house? a) it is magnetic b) it has a hardness of 7 c) it has a hardness of 1 d) it has one main direction of cleavage e) it reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid
e) it reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid
The dominant shape in which silicon and oxygen atoms combine in silicate minerals is: a) cube b) prism c) hexagon d) octagon e) none of these
e) none of these
Which of the following is true about tests we can perform on a mineral? a) a softer mineral will scratch a harder mineral b) many common minerals react (effervesce) with dilute hydrochloric acid c) a streak plate is used to determine how hard a mineral is d) many minerals are strongly magnetic e) none of these
e) none of these
Which of the following minerals is typically green and has no cleavage? a) muscovite b) plagioclase feldspar c) biotite d) quartz e) olivine
e) olivine
Mid-ocean ridges are higher than surrounding oceanic crust primarily because: a) two plates are colliding b) the crust is thicker c) the crust is stronger d) transform faulting uplifts the rocks e) the lithosphere is thinner and hotter
e) the lithosphere is thinner and hotter
The stages associated with continental rifting are, in order from earliest to latest: a) narrow ocean basin, continental rift, uplift, wide ocean basin b) narrow ocean basin, wide ocean basin, continental rift, uplift c) uplift, wide ocean basin, narrow ocean basin, continental rift d) wide ocean basin, narrow ocean basin, uplift, continental rift e) uplift, continental rift, narrow ocean basin, wide ocean basin
e) uplift, continental rift, narrow ocean basin, wide ocean basin
Geology can help us learn about Earth's past by studying: a) why continents and oceans are different b) why a landscape looks the way it does c) how life in the past was different than today d) how global climate has changed since the ice ages e) all of these
e. all of these
The common nonsilicate mineral groups include: a) sulfides b) halides c) sulfates d) oxides e) carbonates f) all of these
f) all of these