Physical Geography Ch. 1-3

Which of the following can we interpret from the sketch?

1. A fault has cut through the rock layers. 2. The sandstone is likely younger than the rounded cobble unit and older than the tan silt unit. 3. The oldest environment represented may have been a river channel, based upon the shape of the clasts. 4. The fault is younger than all the rock layers present.

Fill in the blank with the best choice by matching terms and sentences. 1. slope 2. topographic relief 3. elevation 4. depth

1. A steep ______ is present on the side of SP Crater, where the height of the feature changes rapidly. 2. In order to express the difference in the height of SP Crater relative to the plain below, a geologist would use ______. 3. The maximum height of SP Crater can be represented by its ______ relative to sea level. 4. An undersea volcano would be at a certain ______ below sea level.

Identify the items that are consistent with the determination of a rock's numeric age.

1. Actual age of the rock in thousands, millions, or billions of years 2. Measuring the ratio of K atoms to Ar atoms 3. Investigating natural radioactive decay

Which of the following may help a geologist determine the original environment of formation for a rock?

1. Analyze the shape of particles in a rock. 2. Compare the size of particles in a rock deposit found in modern environments.

Rank the stages of continental rifting from the beginning, with the first stage on the top.

1. Ascension of magma causes uplift of the crust 2. Stretching of the crust causes crustal blocks to drop into faults, forming a rift. 3. rifting splits the continent into two; a narrow ocean forms as seafloor spreading takes place 4. seafloor spreading increases the size of the ocean basin as rifting continues.

Which of the following are true regarding the Paleozoic Era?

1. Began 541 million years ago 2. Ended with a widespread mass extinction 3. Ended 252 million years ago

Which of the following are ways in which a modern geologist might study Earth?

1. By doing field studies and directly sampling evidence 2. By using laboratory equipment to make careful measurements 3. By using remote-sensing equipment to explore areas that cannot be seen directly

Rank the main chapters of Earth history according to their start date. The one that started most recently in time should be placed at the top, and the chapter that started farthest back in time should be on the bottom.

1. Cenozoic 2. Mesozoic 3. Paleozoic 4. Precambrian

Which of the following may be fossils?

1. Clam shell 2. Leaf impression 3. Dinosaur footprint 4. Mammoth bone

Which of the following represent quantitative measurements that may be collected in the field?

1. Composition of gases being emitted from a volcanic vent 2. The direction and degree of tilt of a sedimentary rock layer 3. The specific height of a mountain peak 4. Volume of water flowing in a stream

Qualitative data include which of the following?

1. Descriptive words 2. Images 3. Labels 4. Sketches

Match the boundary type with the color it is represented by on the map. 1. Yellow 2. Red 3. Green

1. Divergent 2. Convergent 3. Transform

Match the type of scientific reasoning to its description. 1. Abductive 2. Deductive 3. Inductive

1. Drawing a conclusion from incomplete information 2. Applying a general rule to a phenomenon 3. Using a series of examples to create a general rule

Match the date with the appropriate event, according to a compression of 4.5 billion years of Earth history into a single calendar year. 1. January 1 2. March 4 3. March 2o 4. November 18 5. December 12 6. December 26

1. Earth formed 2. Oldest dated rocks 3. Oldest known fossils 4. Appearance of animals with hard shells 5. Start of the Mesozoic Era 6. Beginning of the Cenozoic Era

Which of the following are true regarding the Mesozoic Era?

1. Ended 66 million years ago 2. Represents the time when dinosaurs roamed Earth 3. Began 252 million years ago

Which of the following are true regarding the Mediterranean Sea?

1. Evaporation removes more water from the Mediterranean Sea than is added in by rivers. 2. If the Strait of Gibraltar were closed, the Mediterranean Sea would eventually dry up. 3. Water from the Atlantic Ocean flows into the Mediterranean Sea.

Which pieces of evidence supported Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift?

1. Fossils of animals and plants that existed more than 150 million years ago are present on several continents that are now divided by an ocean. 2. Similar rocks and geologic structures exist in South America, Africa, and Antarctica. 3. Southern continental landmasses seem to fit together like puzzle pieces. 4. Glacial evidence exists in places that are now close to the equator, and the direction of glacial movement indicates the continents were once joined.

Rank the substances from lowest density to highest density, with the lowest density on the top.

1. Ice 2. Water 3. Granite

Which of the following are characteristics of continental rifting?

1. If rifting continues, the continent can be split into two pieces. 2. Stretching of the crust causes crustal blocks to drop down. 3. Rifting begins with a broad uplift as magma ascends.

According to plate tectonics, oceanic crust forms from upwelling magma that spreads outward from a mid-ocean ridge. Which of the following statements support this?

1. If this is true, the thickest sediment cover should be farthest from the mid-ocean ridge. 2. If this is true, then the oldest basalt should be the farthest from the mid-ocean ridge.

Which of the following are ways to express the steepness of a slope?

1. In meters per kilometer 2. In degrees

Which of the following are true regarding the Cenozoic Era?

1. Is the most recent era in Earth's history 2. Started 66 million years ago

Which of the following are true of the Precambrian?

1. Is the oldest chapter in Earth's history 2. Began about 4.5 billion years ago 3. Represents approximately 90% of geologic time

Which are true of a hypothesis?

1. It may be scrapped or amended after testing. 2. It may be tentatively assumed. 3. It can be tested for validity.

Which of the following are true of Meteor Crater?

1. It most likely formed through meteoroid impact. 2. Many meteorite specimens have been gathered from the site. 3. It contains minerals formed only at very high pressures.

How do we know that the rock layer on the top of the sequence is the youngest layer?

1. It's on the top of the sequence. 2. It contains pieces of the underlying rock.

List the outer planets from top to bottom, from the Sun outward.

1. Jupiter 2. Saturn 3. Uranus 4. Neptune

What are three accurate pieces of information that can be obtained from the graph?

1. Kauai is closer to Kilauea than Midway. 2. Midway is the oldest of the listed islands. 3. Kauai is younger than Midway.

How did geologists determine the best explanation for how Meteor Crater was formed?

1. Looked at the geologic setting of the crater 2. Made observations regarding important features 3. Identified possible explanations for the formation 4. Used the evidence available, such as meteoroid fragments, to determine a meteoroid impact was the best explanation

Match the steps of how to construct a concept sketch with the correct descriptions.

1. Make a list of what to discuss: What observations, interpretations, and other aspects should be included 2. Decide what to sketch. matches: How general or detailed the sketch should been to explain your key ideas 3. Annotate your sketch: Label important features and write sentences describing the relationships between features and processes

How might a geologist determine the health of the soil in an ecosystem?

1. Measure the natural flux of organic material in the soil, plants, and water. 2. Document how the soil developed. 3. Monitor the causes of erosion.

Which of the following might represent a valid and precise observation for a geologist?

1. Measurement of the thickness of a sedimentary rock bed 2. The temperature of a lava flow 3. Compass orientation of properties of a rock layer

What two water bodies are connected by the Strait of Gibraltar?

1. Mediterranean Sea 2. Atlantic Ocean

Interpret "trading location for time" by ranking the landscapes in logical progression of their change over time. Put the least evolved landscape on top.

1. Mesa 2. Buttles 3. Hills and knobs

Geologic processes occur at vastly different rates. Order the following processes from slowest at the top to fastest at the bottom.

1. Motion of continents 2. Flow of groundwater 3. Velocity of seismic waves

Summarize the formation of the Atlantic Ocean by putting the following into the correct order, with the first (oldest) stage on top.

1. North America, South America, Europe, and Africa were all part of the same super-continent. 2. The crust underneath the super-continent was uplifted by underlying magma moving toward the surface. 3. The continental crust began to stretch, and a continental rift was formed. 4. The rift split the super-continent to form a narrow ocean basin. 5. The ocean basin continued to widen through seafloor spreading.

Rank the steps in a scientific investigation, from first at the top to last at the bottom.

1. Observations 2. Questions regarding observations 3. Proposed explanations and predictions from each explanation 4. Results of investigation 5. Conclusions

Which of the following statements are accurate about what happens when two oceanic plates converge?

1. One of the two oceanic plates subducts beneath the other plate. 2. An oceanic trench is formed and sediments begin to collect. 3. Buoyant magma rises into the overlying plate. 4. Temperatures increase within the subduction zone, releasing water, which induces melting.

Which of the following are consistent with the sediment in the image?

1. Rock fragments are rounded. 2. A variety of sediment sizes is present. 3. The environment of deposition may be a river channel.

Which of the following are true, based on the image?

1. Rock piece N was weathered from layer R. 2. Layer A is younger than rock piece N and layer R. 3. Rock piece N must be older than the tan layer A.

Which of the following are items a geologist may quantitatively measure in the laboratory?

1. Rock strength 2. Isotopic age date of a rock sample 3. Density of a mineral sample 4. Chemical composition of an unknown rock

Based on the image, which of the following are true?

1. Rock unit A is more resistant to weathering than rock unit B. 2. The least resistant rock unit pictured is rock unit B. 3. Rock unit B is less resistant to weathering than rock unit C.

Which of the following geologic processes would be faster than a track runner?

1. Seismic wave velocities 2. Explosive volcanic eruption

Which two properties of this rock could a geologist best use to help determine its original environment of formation?

1. Shape of clasts 2. Size of clasts

Which of the following are true for an evolutionary diagram?

1. Shows the progression of changes an area undergoes through time 2. May use block diagrams, cross sections, or maps 3. Uses a sequence of geologic diagrams to depict the geologic history of an area

Match the type of map with its correct description. 1. Shaded-relief map 2. Satellite image 3. Geologic map 4. Topographic map

1. Simulates light and dark shading on hills and valleys 2. Measures reflections of different wavelengths of light 3. Shows different rock units and features by using different colors for types/ages of rocks 4. Uses contour lines to indicate areas of differing elevation

Which of the following are examples of quantitative data?

1. Specific temperature data 2. Percentages of different materials in a rock 3. Age of a rock 4. Size measurements of sediment

Rank the following events in logical order to explain the thick salt deposits discovered underneath the Mediterranean Sea. Place the first event on top.

1. Strait of Gibraltar become blocked. 2. Water in the Mediterranean Sea evaporated. 3. The Mediterranean Sea became a salt flat. 4. A rise in global sea level caused water from the Atlantic Ocean to start spilling into the Mediterranean Sea 5. 100 years later, the Med. Sea was refilled.

Which of the following are characteristics of slab pull?

1. Subducting oceanic lithosphere is denser than asthenosphere. 2. Subducting plates move faster than nonsubducting plates. 3. Gravity is a major force in slab pull.

Rank the five different rock units by the order in which they formed. Place the oldest formation on the bottom of the list and the youngest on the top.

1. T 2. B 3. G 4. M 5. U

Match the environment with a way in which a geologist might study that area. 1. Volcano 2. Glacier 3. Mineral resource 4. Mars 5. Ecosystem

1. Take lava samples 2. Gather ice temperature data 3. Travel into a mine to collect samples 4. Use telescopes to see high-resolution images 5. Sample water to pinpoint contamination sources

Which of the following tools are used by geologists to study inaccessible places?

1. Telescopes 2. High-resolution imaging devices 3. Remote probes

Based on the image, which of the following are true?

1. The fault is younger than layers M, S, and H. 2. Layer M is older than the fault and older than layers S and H. 3. Layer S is younger than layer M, but older than layer H and older than the fault.

Match the observation to the correct interpretation about the rocks in this landscape. Instructions 1. The blocks of rock are square in shape. 2. There is a reddish stain to the rocks. 3. The broken blocks of rock are large.

1. The rock fractures are perpendicular to each other, so weathering creates square blocks of rocks. 2. The rocks contain iron that has weathered in the presence of oxygen. 3. The rocks have not moved very far from their source.

Which of the following are true regarding the rock units in the image?

1. The upper unit with light-gray, angular pieces is youngest. 2. The angular clasts within the upper unit are eroded pieces from the lower unit. 3. The tilted, light-gray layers on the bottom are the oldest.

Differentiate examples of data and interpretations. 1. Data 2. Interpretation

1. The younger volcanic ash layer is twice as thick as the older volcanic ash layer. 2. A nearby volcano caused the deposition of two ash layers during two separate eruptions. The more recent eruption was a larger and more destructive event.

Match the type of scientific reasoning to its example. 1. Abductive 2. Deductive 3. Inductive

1. There are a lot of blocks of rock at the bottom of a small hill; perhaps the hill was once larger. 2. The rocks at the bottom of a hill are there due to gravity. 3. Every hill that experienced a wildfire in the summer then had a debris flow later in the rainy season.

Which of the following statements are accurate about volcano distributions on Earth?

1. There is a large volcanic belt along the west coasts of North and South America. 2. Volcanism occurs along mid-ocean ridges. 3. Many volcanoes along the edge of the Pacific Ocean are associated with earthquakes.

Compare the tectonic settings of western and eastern South America by placing the features in the correct category. 1. Western side 2. Eastern side

1. Trench, mountains, subduction zone 2. Wide continental shelf, passive margin, more subdued topography

Which of the following are involved in the Mendocino triple junction?

1. Two different transform faults 2. A subduction zone

Match the geologic diagram type with its description. 1. Block diagram 2. Cross section 3. Evolutionary diagram 4. Strategic section

1. Uses three dimensions to show the shape of the land surface and distribution of subsurface rock units 2. Uses two dimensions to show the surface and subsurface as a single slice of the land 3. Uses a sequence of geologic diagrams to show the historical progression of geologic changes in an area 4. Uses two dimensions to describe and show the profile of rock units in relation to one another in the subsurface and the weathering profile of each unit

Which of the following are ways in which a geologist may determine the density of earth materials?

1. Using instruments to measure the pull of gravity 2. Measuring the different velocities of seismic waves traveling through Earth 3. Through direct measurement in the laboratory

Match the geologic feature with its best possible interpretation.

1. Vertical cracks extend back into the rock. = The rock has fractured and these breaks in the rock are cutting across layers. 2. Edges of some rock layers form cliffs, whereas others form slopes. = Choice Rock layers have different resistances to weathering processes. 3. A slope at the base of the cliff is composed of loose pieces of rock. = The main cliff has weathered, causing loose rock to fall to the bottom and accumulate. 4. Horizontal lines can be followed around the cliff = Bedding of sedimentary rock layers can be seen in the cliff.

Which of the following are possible explanations for the formation of the Meteor Crater?

1. Volcanic explosion 2. Rising mass of salt that was subsequently dissolved 3. Large meteoroid collision

Determine if the geologic questions are best investigated by field or laboratory studies by matching them. 1. Field studies 2. Laboratory studies

1. What are the geologic processes that formed this area? 2. What materials and processes occur deep within the mantle?

Geologists find energy and mineral resources by ______.

1. establishing the conditions that deposited surface rock layers 2. exploring the sequence and geometry of surface rock layers 3. drilling down into Earth's surface and examining collected samples

Which of the following could represent density?

1. g/L 2. mass/volume 3. g/cm3

Match the phrases to describe a mid-ocean ridge. 1. A rift is 2. Magma is 3. New ocean crust is

1. located in the middle; it is a down-dropped area. 2. created when rising asthenosphere melts due to decompression. 3. Choice made from lava flows and solidification at depth.

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the layer on the bottom is in terms of relative age, whereas the layer on the top is . (Use just one word per blank.)

1. oldest 2. youngest

Describe the different fates of energy from the Sun upon entering Earth's atmosphere by matching the phrases.

1. oxygen = absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation 2. ultraviolet energy that reaches the surface = is converted to infrared energy 3. infrared energy = is trapped by the atmosphere

Scientific theories are ______.

1. subject to scrutiny 2. expansive in describing natural phenomena

The surface of Earth is notable for many geologic features including ______.

1. undersea trenches 2. intricate coastlines 3. dramatic mountains 4. beautiful valleys

The granite that forms the faces of Mt. Rushmore ______.

1. was uplifted to the surface 60 million years ago 2. is 1.7 billion years old

Match the processes of the rock cycle with their definitions.

1. weathering: breaking down of rocks either mechanically or chemically 2. transportation: moving pieces of rock by wind, ice, or water 3. deposition: occurs when the energy of the transported materials decreases 4. uplift: upward movement of underground rocks to the surface 5. lithification: process of sediment turning into rock

What is the rate of seafloor spreading if a magnetic stripe that is 96 kilometers wide formed over 4 million years?

24 km/m.y.

In this diagram, which layer(s) correspond to the mantle?

3 and 4

Which locations are composed of loose materials (not bedrock)?

3 and 4

Oceans cover ______ % of Earth's surface.

71

Match the letter with the appropriate description of the area indicated on the image. A B

A = Steep slopes B = Gentle slopes

Which one of the following refers to the process of ridge push?

A plate sliding away from the topographically high ridge and pushing the plate outward.

How does an observation become valid?

A series of specific measurements is made, repeated, and recorded.

The geologic era that began 66 million years ago is the _ Era.

Cenozoic

Match the feature with the appropriate description/image location.

Cliff: Rock unit 4; resistant to erosion Slope: Rock unit 2; easier to erode

What is the underlying geologic explanation for why western South America is so different from eastern South America?

The western side is a plate boundary and the eastern side is not.

Why do the opposite sides of a fracture zone have different elevations?

They are different ages, so they have different cooling histories.

Why would a scientist use an instrument such as a ruler or a compass when observing a rock outcrop?

To obtain accurate measurements

What type of map or image depicts the shape of the land surface by showing the elevation of the land surface with a series of brown lines called contours?

Topographic map

What two plate boundary types work together to define mid-ocean ridges?

Transform Divergent

True or false: Scientific discoveries are often the result of scientists making observations not related to any particular hypothesis they are working on.

True

A triple junction is ______.

a place where three plate boundaries meet

The Pacific Ring of Fire is formed by ______.

a string of volcanoes

Regions of the deep ocean characterized by smooth ocean floor are called ______.

abyssal plains

By comparing the patterns of magnetic reversals in a rock sequence, geologists can use the magnetic timescale shown here to estimate the of a rock.

age

The zigzag pattern of mid-ocean ridges reflects the ______.

alternation of the spreading segments with transform faults

When two oceanic plates converge, a curved belt of volcanic islands called an island can be formed.

arc

Curving chains of mostly volcanic islands on the seafloor are called island .

arcs

Rocky fragments left over from the formation of the solar system are called . They are found in orbit between Mars and Jupiter.

asteroids

Prairie dogs digging den systems in soft surface sediments, which in turn improve the recharge of groundwater systems, directly involves all of Earth spheres except the ______.

atmosphere

South America has been moving _______ Africa for the past 140 million years.

away from

If two continents are matched and their geologies are examined, it is assumed by plate tectonics that the mineral deposits discovered on one continent will ______.

be the same on the other continent if the mineral deposits were formed before the continents split

Which of the following is the best description of what the lithosphere contains?

both types of crust and the uppermost mantle

Intense geologic activity is concentrated at plate ______.

boundaries

The location of earthquakes is a better guide to plate than the location of volcanoes.

boundaries

Convergence of two ocean plates forms an ocean-ocean convergent .

boundary

The feature shown is a smaller, steep-sided mountain and has had its edges eroded away. We call this feature a ______.

butte

The yearly rate of tectonic plate movement is best measured in ______.

centimeters

Earth's orbit around the Sun is almost , which explains why Earth receives about the same amount of heat and light year-round.

circular

When two continental masses converge, we refer to it as a continental .

collision

Both the matching of outlines and their geology help to support the theory of plate tectonics.

continental

Submerged benches of continents at the shorelines are called shelves.

continental

When divergent boundaries occur on continents, the process is called rifting.

continental

The convergence of two continental masses is known as a ______.

continental collision

Which type of crust is thicker?

continental crust

A divergent boundary can form within a continent. If it does it is called a ______.

continental rift

Gondwana is the name given to the combination of southern ______ proposed by Wegener in his hypothesis of continental drift.

continents

Areas of equal elevation on a topographic map are marked with lines.

contour

Large volcanoes on the western coasts of South America (the Andes) and North America (the Cascades) are the results of oceanic-continental plate ______.

convergence

When two plates move toward each other, boundaries are formed.

convergent

When two ocean plates come together, a ______ is formed.

convergent boundary

The boundary between two plates may not have the same characteristics in different geographic locations because of ______.

curves and abrupt bends that appear in boundaries between plates

As two oceanic plates diverge at mid-ocean ridges, melting of the rising mantle occurs due to ______.

decompression

If you compared different types of rock to water in terms of grams/cubic centimeter, you would be measuring the of the rocks.

density

Mantle convection involves the asthenosphere moving upward due to its lower ______.

density

The mass per unit volume of a substance is its , whereas the amount of downward force exerted by an object under the pull of gravity is its .

density; weight

Which of the following factors was most important in controlling the distribution of copper mines in the western U.S. versus iron mines in the Great Lakes region?

different ages and geologic histories of the rocks

Island chains and seamounts cross parts of the ocean floor. In terms of plate tectonics, these oceanic islands and associated seamounts are ______.

different in character and origin from curved island arcs

The formula to determine an object's average rate of movement is ______.

distance/time

Opposites sides of a fracture zone have different because they were formed at different times.

elevations

Over time, when a mesa becomes a butte and a butte eventually becomes hills and knobs, we can infer that the physical process of ______ has taken place.

erosion

In 1972, Rapid City, South Dakota, experienced a(n) that killed 238 people and destroyed 1,300 homes.

flash; flood

Due to its proximity to Rapid Creek, which is surrounded by steep canyons and mountains, Rapid City, South Dakota is susceptible to flash.

floods

Any remains, trace, or imprint of a plant or animal that has been preserved from some past geologic or prehistoric time is a(n) .

fossil

Land bridges were originally proposed to explain evidence as provided by the presence of Mesosaurus and Glossopteris on continents separated by large oceans. One supercontinent that split apart by continental drift better explains this evidence.

fossil

The presence of Glossopteris leaves and Mesosaurus on disconnected continents are strong _______ evidence for continental drift.

fossil

A transform fault on the ocean floor that is no longer active creates a step in seafloor elevation called a zone. (Use just one word for your answer.)

fracture

When a fracture cuts across several rock layers, we interpret that the ______.

fracture is younger than the layers it crosscuts

The image represents the currently accepted divisions of the timescale.

geologic

The type of map that uses various colors to show the distribution of rock types or ages and shows features exposed on the land surface is a(n) map.

geologic

The periods and subdivisions of Earth history, arranged in proper order, are called the ______.

geologic timescale

Scratch marks made on rocks in the southern continents by ancient show that the continents were once connected around the South Pole and then moved apart by continental drift.

glaciers

Mt. Rushmore is composed of which type of rock?

granite

Ridge push involves ______.

gravity causing the plate to slide away from the topographically high ridge, pushing the plate outward

Earth's orbit around the Sun is almost circular, which explains why Earth receives about the same amount of ______ year-round.

heat and light

Radioactive decay within Earth produces heat; the other form of heat produced by Earth comes from

heat trapped when Earth was formed.

A rugged area with large variations in elevation would have ______ relief, whereas a relatively flat location would have ______ relief. Multiple choice question.

high; low

The type of plate movement that occurs at transform faults is ______.

horizontal

Name the cycle that describes water processes that occur on land, in the atmosphere, and in the oceans.

hydrologic

A causal explanation that can be tested for validity by comparison with observed facts and by experimentation is a(n) .

hypothesis

Rock that has formed from cooling magma or lava is

igneous rock

An accretionary prism of sediments and oceanic crust is formed ______.

in an oceanic trench created by the subduction of one oceanic plate beneath another plate

If you were interested in the chemical differences in granites from different areas of North America, you would be doing most of your analysis ______.

in the lab

Geologists primarily use telescopes, high-resolution imaging devices, and remote probes to study ______.

inaccessible places

Topographic maps often have some contour lines that are darker than others. These darker lines are called ______ and are used to ______.

index contours; help show varying patterns of elevation more easily

Plate boundaries are where most of Earth's ______ occurs.

intense geologic activity

After studying the rocks shown here by taking measurements and making sketches in a field notebook, the geologist says "These rocks were formed in oxygen-rich, low-temperature conditions on Earth's surface." This statement is a(n) Blank______ based on Blank______.

interpretation; observations

Magnetic patterns develop on the seafloor as basaltic lava erupts and cools, and ______.

iron-rich minerals align with Earth's magnetic field

When two oceanic plates converge, some magma erupts under the ocean, forming volcanoes that may rise above the sea. These volcanoes form a curved ______.

island arc

Curving island chains across the seafloor that are mainly volcanic in origin are called _______.

island arcs

Convection currents in Earth's core produce the magnetic field.

liquid

Tectonic plates are composed of ______ and move around on top of the asthenosphere.

lithosphere

The process of plate tectonics circulates materials between the asthenosphere and the .

lithosphere

If a geologist aimed to ______, he or she would likely examine the sequence and geometry of crustal rock layers and the conditions that deposited each layer.

locate energy and mineral resources

Which of the following locations would form an igneous rock?

locations 1, 2, and 3

Earth's ______ poles have switched many times throughout geologic history.

magnetic

Which order is correct for the creation of a concept sketch?

make a list of what to discuss; decide what to sketch; annotate your sketch

The asthenosphere is part of the

mantle

The formula to determine density is ______.

mass/volume

Earthquakes are more common along the edges of continents and ________ ridges.

mid-ocean

Oceanic fracture zones are cracks and steps that cross the seafloor and run mostly at right angles to ridges.

mid-ocean

Broad symmetrical ridges that cross ocean basins are called ______.

mid-ocean ridges

The area in the middle of the topographic profile would have a ______, whereas the areas to either side have a ______.

moderate relief; low relief

The western margin of South America is ______, whereas the eastern margin has much less relief, which reflects the different tectonic plate settings that surround the continent.

mountainous

Enormous mountain belts and high plateaus are formed when two continental plates collide as ______.

neither is subducted

Earth's magnetic field currently flows from south to north. We refer to this orientation as polarity.

normal

The actual age of a rock or event is its ______ age.

numeric

71% of Earth's surface are covered by the

ocean

Abyssal plains are the relatively smooth surfaces of the floor.

ocean

Mid-ocean ridges are broad symmetrical ridges that cross basins.

ocean

Cracks and steps that cross the seafloor and run at right angles to mid-ocean ridges are called ______.

oceanic fracture zones

Oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates because ______.

oceanic plates are dense and continental plates are buoyant

Volcanoes and earthquakes ______ in the same areas on Earth's surface.

often occur

The farther away an island or seamount is from Kauai, which is approximately 5 million years old, the that island is.

older

The rock cycle was conceived by James Hutton in an attempt to explain how

older rocks become new sediment.

Pieces of rock that are incorporated into a newly deposited layer of rock must be ______ the layer or rock in which they are incorporated.

older than

Volcanic and earthquake activities on Earth can mostly be explained by the interaction between plates. However, volcanoes and earthquakes do occur at places other than at plate boundaries. An explanation for this is ______.

parts of the lithosphere are weaker, so forces can be transmitted through plates, causing geologic activities in the weaker areas

GPS and lasers are used to directly measure the motion and direction of tectonic on Earth.

plates

Tectonics is the study of ______.

processes that deform the crust and mantle

A geologist performs an analysis on a rock to gather data recording its specific chemical composition, such as the percentages of different elements in a rock. These type of data are ______ data.

quantitative

Data that involve numbers are considered data, whereas data that include descriptive words and images are data.

quantitative; qualitative

How much something changed divided by the time required for the change to occur is a measurement of ______.

rate

Geologists may use several commonsense principles to determine the age of rocks (i.e., the order in which geologic events occurred).

relative

The age of a fossil, organism, rock, geologic feature, or event compared to other geologic features or events is the ______ age.

relative

For a plate to move, the driving forces must exceed the forces.

resisting

These patterns of magnetic have been used to create a timescale, along with help from isotopic dating and fossils, that can be applied to other sequences of magnetized rocks to determine their age.

reversals

The oldest rock unit on this sketch is the ______.

rounded cobbles

What are some components of the landscape shown in this photograph?

rounding of the upper parts of the cliff a natural stain on the outside of the rocks loose rocks covering a slope-forming unit fractures and layers

The type of image that is useful for showing differences in rock and vegetation on the surface of the land is a(n) image.

satellite

A mountain beneath the ocean that does not reach the surface is called a(n) . It may be a worn-down island or may never have been tall enough to break the water surface.

seamount

A volcanic island that erodes and sinks underneath the sea surface is a(n) .

seamount

Mountains beneath the oceans that do not reach the surface are called ______.

seamounts

The image represents a(n) - map and is used primarily to show the shape of the land.

shaded relief

A geologist may determine the health of the in an ecosystem by examining erosion rates and causes and examining the natural fluxes of organic material.

soil

At mid-ocean ridges as two plates diverge, ______.

solid mantle in the asthenosphere rises toward the surface and begins to melt due to decompression

Devil's Tower was formed by ______.

solidification of a magma chamber

Glacial evidence in ______ continents that are too warm for glaciers in their current position is evidence of continental drift.

southern

Plate boundaries cover a surface that is ______ so they are ______ and subsequently can change from one type to another, e.g., from transform to convergent.

spherical; curved

Slopes that drop or rise sharply in elevation are ______, whereas slopes in flatter areas are ______.

steep; gentle

Slab pull refers to ______.

subducting lithosphere

Earthquakes are common along the western coast of South America as a ______ zone occurs due to oceanic lithosphere moving beneath the continent.

subduction

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a result of ______ on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

subduction

The process of one plate sliding beneath another plate is called ______.

subduction

A ______ is formed when one plate slides beneath another.

subduction zone

Earth's ______ is/are notable for many geologic features such as beautiful valleys, intricate coastlines, and deep ocean trenches.

surface

The part of Earth that is composed of lithosphere and moves around on the asthenosphere are ______ plates.

tectonic

Along the boundary of an oceanic-continental convergence, ______

the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate

The volcanic island chain known as the Hawaiian Islands differs from the Galápagos Islands cluster because ______.

the plate moving over the hot spot that formed the Hawaiian Islands has been moving faster

Many scientific discoveries occurred due to serendipity, meaning that ______.

the scientist was observing and collecting evidence that wasn't associated with any particular hypothesis

An expansive, conceptual framework that describes a natural phenomenon is a(n) .

theory

We can use different parts of a landscape to represent different stages of its evolution; this strategy is called "trading location for ."

time

The type of map that uses contour lines to indicate distinct elevations and is useful for getting specific information about the shape of the land is a(n) map.

topographic

Elevation variations in the land's surface might best be represented by a(n) ______, whereas differences in the subsurface might best be represented in a(n) ______.

topographic profile; stratigraphic section

A ______ map gives detailed information regarding the elevation of the land's surface, whereas a ______ map is best for showing geologic information about the area.

topographic; geologic

A fault that accommodates the horizontal movement of one tectonic plate past another is a(n) fault.

transform

An oceanic fracture zone is a former ______ fault that now has no relative motion along it.

transform

Horizontal movements between plates occur at faults.

transform

The San Andreas fault in California is a(n) fault that has formed linear valleys, abrupt mountains, and lines of lakes.

transform

The alternation of the spreading segments with faults at mid-ocean ridges creates a zig-zag pattern.

transform

The type of fault that accommodates horizontal movements between plates is a ______ fault.

transform

The place where three plate boundaries meet is referred to as a(n) junction.

triple

The Tibetan and Himalaya Plateau are the result of ______.

two continental plates colliding and forming mountain ranges

Convergent boundaries are formed when ______.

two plates move toward each other

As a tectonic plate moves over a hot spot, a line of islands is created.

volcanic

Island and seamount chains are formed by and hot spot activity.

volcanism

Large composite of the Andes Mountains of South America and the Cascade Range of Washington and Oregon are the result of oceanic-continental plate convergences.

volcanoes

Areas of volcanic and earthquake activity that are not on plate boundaries are most likely associated with ______.

weak lithosphere

Gentle slopes on a topographic map are marked by ______ spaced contour lines, and steep slopes are marked by ____ spaced lines.

widely; closely

The uppermost part of the oceans, as expressed by normal ocean waves, are in constant motion due to the effects of the

wind

A geologic feature, such as a fracture or igneous intrusion, is in age than any rock unit or feature that it cuts across.

younger

An igneous rock body that intrudes and bakes an existing sequence of rocks is than the rocks it invades.

younger

___represent the measurements collected regarding a geologic unit, whereas ___ are the proposed explanations for a collection of those measurements.

Data; interpretations

If all of geologic time were represented by a 365-day year, on which date would the Cenozoic Era begin?

December 26

The columnar basalt of Tower represents a solidified magma chamber.

Devils

True or false: Assuming the rocks are undisturbed since they were formed, overlying sedimentary layers are older than those that are beneath them.

False

True or false: Continental drift is proven by evidence showing that continents have plowed through the ocean basins in the same way that ships plow through the ocean.

False

True or false: Curved island arcs and linear island chains are very similar in their character and formation.

False

True or false: Density is the same as weight.

False

True or false: The steepness of a slope may be expressed in both degrees of the slope from vertical and the gradient of the slope over a horizontal distance.

False

______ ______ is the slow overturning of Earth's hot, ductile interior as heated rock wells up from below, cools near the surface, and sinks back down again.

Mantle convection

How many times did Earth's magnetic field switch in the last 10 million years?

Many—more than 40 times

Select from the list below the events and causes of the 1972 Rapid City, South Dakota, flood that killed hundreds of people and destroyed more than 1,300 homes.

Massive thunderstorm Houses built on the floodplain Breach of a dam Flash flood

Ma

Mega-annum; millions of years before present

This triple junction off the coast of Northern California, where two transform faults join with a subduction zone is the _______ Triple Junction.

Mendocino

The image represents a broad, flat-topped mountain with steep sides. This feature is a ______.

Mesa

The geologic era that largely coincides with the time when dinosaurs roamed the planet is the .

Mesozoic

A volcanic explosion, a rising mass of salt, and a large meteor impact were all explanations put forward to explain how ______ formed.

Meteor Crater

The arrow in the figure is pointing to the - , where the African and South American plates are moving apart and new oceanic lithosphere is emerging from Earth's mantle.

Mid Atlantic Ridge

A description of a sediment sample, stating that it contains large, angular fragments that are mostly red in color would represent what type of data?

Qualitative

Match the type of data with the correct situation. Quantitative Qualitative

Quantitative: A scientist collects measurements of temperature in a specific location in Greenland over the period of a year. Qualitative: A person who survived the Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption in 1980 is interviewed and a report of her experience is documented.

Volcanoes that extend from the southwestern Pacific Ocean, through the Philippine Islands, Japan, and Alaska, then down the western coasts of the Americas form the Pacific of Fire.

Ring

In which of the following environments was the sediment in the photo most likely deposited?

River channel

What is the name of the transform fault in California that has formed linear valleys, abrupt mountain fronts, and lines of lakes? It's the Fault.

San Andreas

What specific type of map or image uses measurements of different wavelengths of light reflecting from a land surface to create a computer-processed image showing the distribution of different types of plants, rocks, and other features?

Satellite image

What is lithification?

Sediment turning into rock

What type of map is used primarily to show the shape of the land by simulating light and dark shading on the hills and valleys?

Shaded-relief map

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?

Similar fossils are distributed across multiple continents.

Select the statement that best describes how the process of plate tectonics circulates materials between the asthenosphere and the lithosphere.

Some asthenosphere becomes lithosphere at mid-ocean spreading centers and reenters the asthenosphere at subduction zones.

Some continents continue outward from the shoreline under shallow seawater, forming submerged benches called ______.

Some continents continue outward from the shoreline under shallow seawater, forming submerged benches called ______.

The figure shows the movement of ______ over time to its current position.

South America

The Mediterranean Sea is connected with the Atlantic Ocean through the ______.

Strait of Gibraltar

______ is the study of processes that deform the crust and mantle.

Tectonics

Beneath the Mediterranean Sea, large deposits of salt and layers of wind-deposited sand dating from around 6 million years ago are present. Which of the following would you conclude based upon this information?

The Mediterranean Sea once evaporated, leaving behind large salt deposits and creating a desert-like environment of windblown sands.

The topographic profile featured would be best used in what situation? Multiple choice question.

The average gradient for a particular area needs to be known to study surface runoff.

Which of these rock units is the most susceptible to weathering?

The reddish, pebbly unit

What is the difference between a volcanic island chain forming over a hot spot rather than a volcanic island cluster?

The speed of plate movement

Put the sentences in the correct order of how to construct a concept sketch with the first step on top.

1. Make a list of what to discuss. 2. Decide what to sketch. 3. Annotate your sketch.

Match the layer of Earth with its representative composition.

1. continental crust = granite 2. oceanic crust = basalt 3. mantle = olivine 4. core = iron and nickel

Which of these elements is not necessary for a concept sketch?

3-D drawing

Match the letter with the appropriate feature indicated on the image by the arrow.

A. A bedding plane separating one bed of rock from another B. Vertical fracture in the rock C. Slope composed of loose rock material

Match the letter of the feature with its appropriate description. Instructions

A. Horizontal layers of rock (bedding) B. Vertical cracks in rocks (fractures) C. Steep ledge created by weathering-resistant rock (cliff) D. Loose rock eroded from the rocks above (talus slope)

Select the three factors that directly shape the surface of Earth by creating diverse landscapes.

Atmosphere and its movement Impact of diverse life-forms Water and its movement

Match the sphere of Earth with its definition.

Atmosphere: Mixture of gases that extends out about 100 km from Earth Biosphere: Includes life and all the places life can be found on Earth Hydrosphere: Includes all of the water in all of its expressions on Earth Lithosphere: The solid upper portion of Earth

Moss growing on a granite boulder directly involves which two Earth spheres?

Biosphere, Lithosphere

Which of these approaches would be helpful strategies for observing landscapes?

Draw a sketch to capture main features. Focus on one part of the landscape at a time. Compare different parts of the landscape to each other. Focus on one geologic feature at a time.

The Moon is the closest object to planet .

Earth

The four terrestrial planets are , Mercury, Venus, and Mars.

Earth

The inner planets are sometimes referred to as terrestrial planets because of their similarity to .

Earth

True or false: The outer planets have a solid surface.

False

Which of these does not describe the purpose of a concept sketch?

It reports the results of detailed sampling and studies.

The gravity of the and the causes the tides in the oceans of Earth.

Moon; Sun

The four outer planets are ______.

Neptune Jupiter Uranus Saturn

The object that is next in line after Neptune in our solar system but is not classified as a planet is .

Pluto

Choose the answer that best explains why a rock might not go through the complete rock cycle.

Rock may be involved in a variety of processes in different sequences.

We make interpretations of rocks based on observable properties. Match the three rock units with their appropriate interpretations.

Rock unit 2: The slope indicates that the rock is somewhat easily weathered. Rock unit 4: The rock forms a steep cliff because it is resistant to weathering. Rock unit 6: This is composed of loose rock that has weathered from the rock layers above.

Select all that apply _______ are example of features readily identifiable through simple visual observation in many landscapes.

Sedimentary beds Rock colors Fractures Cliffs and slopes Loose pieces of rock

What system is comprised of the Sun, planets and their moons, and other bodies that orbit the Sun?

Solar system

Select all of the correct answers that are related to the fate of solar energy entering Earth's atmosphere.

Some light is converted into chemical energy by plants. Some light is converted into infrared radiation. It heats Earth's atmosphere. Solar energy evaporates water in the atmosphere.

Which of these features and processes from this photograph would you include in a concept sketch?

The shape of the volcano The color of the rocks and lava The erupting lava

Match the important feature and process in this photograph that you would include in a concept sketch to their descriptions.

The shape of the volcano: You would draw a small, cone-shaped feature with a hole in the top. The eruption of magma: You would draw a hot, fluid erupting out of the crater and flowing onto the surface.

True or False: Most astronomers no longer consider Pluto a planet.

True

Which of the following are true regarding the color of rock, sediment, and soils?

Varies due to different environmental conditions May be due to a natural stain on the outside surface of the rock Depends on the composition of the materials

Besides Earth, the other three terrestrial planets are ______.

Venus Mars Mercury

The rock cycle is a set of possibilities that rock material may go through over geologic time, and there ______.

are many rocks that don't complete the entire cycle

The rocky fragments located between Mars and Jupiter and left over from the formation of the solar system are called ______.

asteroids

Rocks that are more resistant to erosion are more likely to create ______ in a landscape, whereas rocks that are easier to erode often create ______.

cliffs; slopes

Lithification is the process by which sediment is ______ over time to form sedimentary rocks.

compacted

The purpose of a(n) sketch is to show the spatial relationships between different aspects of a system.

concept

Differences in which physical property allow rocks to move from deep within Earth toward the surface?

density

True or false: Only one strategy is employed by geologists to observe a landscape.

false

The most important agent for sculpting the landscape is ______.

flowing water

The dinosaur __________ (bones) shown in this photo help us determine the size of the creatures they came from, what they looked like, and how they moved. The surrounding __________ give us clues to the environment and climate they lived in.

fossils; rocks

The massive layer marked in the photograph has in the left side of the outcrop but not on the right side; this is because of the orientation of the photograph (and outcrop).

fractures

The Sun creates heat and light through the process of joining together hydrogen atoms in nuclear .

fusion

The four outer planets have ______ surfaces.

gas

Huge flowing fields or tongues of compressed snow and ice are

glaciers

The ______ of both the Moon and Sun causes the tides in Earth's oceans.

gravity

When infrared energy from the Sun is radiated back from Earth and trapped by Earth's atmosphere, resulting in warming conditions, we call this the __________ effect.

greenhouse

Radioactive decay in Earth, especially in Earth's crust, creates a tremendous amount of __________. (Use a single word for your answer.)

heat

The decay of radioactive elements such as uranium creates ______, especially in Earth's crust, where these elements are abundant.

heat

On the Sun, ______ atoms are joined together in a process called nuclear fusion.

hydrogen

The ______ cycle describes water processes that occur on land, in the atmosphere, and in the oceans.

hydrologic

A type of rock that forms directly from precipitates of hot water is called a(n) ______ rock.

hydrothermal

Rocks formed directly from hot water precipitates are __________ rocks. Some geologists consider these to be a type of metamorphic rock.

hydrothermal

Rock that has formed from cooling magma or lava is ______ rock.

igneous

Rock that has solidified from magma is a(n) _________ rock.

igneous

The greenhouse effect is the result of ______ that becomes trapped by Earth's atmosphere, causing Earth to be much warmer than it otherwise would be. Multiple choice question.

infrared energy

The balance or equilibrium of adjacent blocks of brittle lithosphere floating on the ductile asthenosphere is called __________.

isostasy

What is the condition of equilibrium or balance in a system called? Geologists often use this term to describe crustal blocks floating on the asthenosphere.

isostasy

Molten rock (magma) on Earth's surface is called ___________.

lava

Sedimentary rocks are formed by the compaction and cementation of sediments in a process called ______.

lithification

Molten rock underground, usually rich in silica and containing dissolved gases, is called

magma

Earth's three major concentric zones are the crust, the __________, and the __________.

mantle; core

The rigid portion of Earth composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the __________ is the __________. (Use just one word for each blank.)

mantle; lithosphere

Which of the following rock cycle processes usually occurs at great depth, in the lower crust or the mantle?

melting

A(n) ______ rock type is formed when heat and pressure are applied to a preexisting metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary rock, without causing melting. Multiple choice question.

metamorphic

When an existing rock is transformed by the application of heat and pressure, which causes a chemical or physical change, a(n) __________ rock is formed.

metamorphic

Changing a rock by heat, pressure, or deformation is called __________.

metamorphism

Earth's atmosphere is composed primarily of ______.

nitrogen

The majority of Earth's atmosphere (78%) is gas.

nitrogen

There are two main types of crust on Earth; they are ______ and ______.

oceanic, continental

The rock cycle was conceived by James Hutton in an attempt to explain how ______.

older rocks become new sediments

Which of the following are correct descriptions of the compositions of Earth's different internal layers?

olivine is representative of the mantle. the higher density materials are concentrated in the core. the oceanic crust is basaltic.

Lava is molten rock that cools ______.

on the surface

Metamorphism involves which three of the processes included in the list below? Multiple select question.

pressure, heat, deformation

The process in which a rock may move from one place to another or be converted into a new rock type is the cycle.

rock

Loose materials formed when large rocks in the landscape are broken down and worn away are called __________.

sediments

When rocks are broken down and worn away, they form loose materials of all sizes called _________.

sediments

Glaciers are huge flowing fields of compressed and that carry large amounts of rock and sediment.

snow; ice

The Sun, the planets and their moons, and smaller objects such as asteroids and comets, are all part of the .

solar; system

The solid sphere of Earth is called the . The gaseous sphere of Earth is called the . The water sphere of Earth is called the .

solid sphere: lithosphere gaseous sphere: atmosphere water sphere: hydrosphere

The physical state of Earth's inner core is __________ and the outer core is __________.

solid; liquid

In sedimentary rocks, rock layers are deposited and ______ remain in horizontal layers.

sometimes

Winds cause what type of motion in the oceans?

surficial waves

Because of their similarity to Earth, the inner planets are often referred to as ______.

terrestrial

The closest object to Earth is ______.

the Moon

What happens to material that is hotter than its surrounding material deep within Earth?

the hot material slowly moves up toward the surface.

A concept sketch should be drawn with ______.

the level of detail you need

The lithosphere is ______.

the rigid portion of Earth (crust and upper mantle)

With respect to thickness, the oceanic crust is __________ than the continental crust. (Use a single word for your answer.)

thinner

The three agents of sediment ______, which result in deposition as energy decreases, are ice, wind, and water.

transport

Flowing water is the most important agent for sculpting the landscape of Earth.

true

Magma is molten rock that occurs ______.

underground

Besides the movement of the atmosphere around Earth, two other factors that directly shape Earth's surface are the presence and movement of and the impact of diverse biological life-forms.

water

The flow of from land and oceans to the atmosphere is part of the hydrologic . (Use a single word for each answer.)

water; cycle

The uppermost part of the oceans is in constant motion primarily due to the effects of ______.

wind

The three primary forces that deposit sediments, which may become sedimentary rocks, are water, __________, and __________.

wind, ice

What are the three primary agents that act to deposit sediments, which may eventually become sedimentary rocks?

wind, water, ice

Besides liquid water, the other two transportation agents of sediments are and . Gravity also plays a role in moving sediments.

wind; ice

Match the chapter of Earth history with the appropriate beginning time. 1. Cenozoic 2. Mesozoic 3. Paleozoic 4. Precambrian

1. 66 Ma 2. 252 Ma 3. 541 Ma 4. 4,500 Ma

Which of the following could be associated with a steep slope?

1. A cliff 2. Closely spaced contour lines 3. A mountainside

If a stream is measured to flow 12 meters in 60 seconds, what is the stream's average rate of flow?

0.2 m/s

If a glacier is measured to flow 24 meters in 1 day, the glacier's average flow rate is meter per hour. (Answer with a single numerical digit.)

1

Plates move ______ per year.

1 to 15 cm

Match the substance with its correct density. 1. Liquid water 2. Ice 3. Granite

1. 1.0 gm/cm3 2. 0.92 gm/cm3 3. 2.65 gm/cm3

Match the letter with its appropriate geologic diagram representation. A B C

A. Cross section B. Block diagram C. Strategic section

Choose the best description for each letter on the image. A B C D

A. Depth: the distance of the land's surface below sea level B. Elevation: the height of the land's surface above sea level C. Topographic relief: the difference in elevation of one feature relative to another D. Slope: changes in elevation across the landscape (may be either steep or gentle)

Match the letter with the appropriate feature represented on this geologic map. A B C

A. Lava flow B. Scoria cones C. Faults

Using the figure, where are earthquakes more likely to occur?

Along continent edges and mid-ocean ridges

What is a seamount?

An eroded volcanic island beneath the sea surface

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a mid-ocean divergent boundary?

As the plates move apart, solid lithosphere moves upward into the asthenosphere.

A continental rift separated the Americas from Africa and Europe, and continued movement formed first a rift basin and then a narrow ocean basin that became the Ocean.

Atlantic

Match the lettered part of an evolutionary diagram with its appropriate description. E J S

E. Earliest stage: Arrival of the sea J. Intermediate stage: Deposition of tan layer S. Late stage: Erosion of tan layer

Using the map (yellow circles represent earthquake locations and orange triangles represent volcano locations), which one of these is a better guide to plate boundaries on Earth?

Earthquakes

The image shows a progression of a landscape over time. is the physical process causing the mesa to become a butte and then, over time, rounded hills and knobs.

Erosion

What specific type of map displays the distribution of rock units and geologic features exposed on the surface?

Geologic map

Ga

Giga-annum; billions of years before present

Geologists fit together the southern continents into the supercontinent ______.

Gondwana

The presidents' faces at Mount Rushmore are carved from which type of rock?

Granite

Which of the following statements best represents the measurement of the orientation of a rock outcrop?

It trends NE to SW, or 45° east of north.

______ are examples of natural hazards present in the Rapid City area as a result of its location in a low area along Rapid Creek.

Landslides Floods

Which tools do we use to directly measure plate motion?

Lasers GPS satellites

______ is the abbreviation meaning millions of years before present, whereas ______ is the abbreviation for billions of years before present. Multiple choice question.

Ma; Ga

Which of the following shows the correct order for a scientific explanation?

Observation - question - hypotheses - predictions - results of investigation - conclusions

Subduction on both sides of the Ocean produces the Ring of Fire.

Pacific

The geologic era that began with the appearance of many shelled creatures and ended with a widespread extinction event is the .

Paleozoic

Of the four primary chapters in geologic time, the oldest is the .

Precambrian

What happens to a mountain in terms of isostatic adjustment following a period of significant erosion?

The continent underneath will be uplifted.

In order for a tectonic plate to move, what must the relationship between driving and resisting forces be?

The driving forces must exceed the resisting forces.

Using the drill cores shown on the diagram, which areas of the ocean floor are the oldest?

The extreme left and right cores

What do the different colors represent on this geologic map?

Types of rocks

What is the relationship between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean?

Water flows between the two in both directions.

The hypothesis of continental drift, as proposed by Alfred Wegener, was not accepted because ______.

Wegener could not explain how or why the continents moved from place to place

What interpretation can we make from an igneous rock body (such as granite) that has baked or metamorphosed the adjacent rocks?

When the granite was molten, the heat from the magma altered the preexisting rocks around it.