earth science midterm 1
Which of the following is true about blue-shifted light that we detect from the cosmos? a.It signifies a source that is moving toward us. b.It is common for galaxies to emit this type of light. c.The detected light has a longer wavelength than at the source. d.The detected light has a lower frequency than at the source.
A. It signifies a source that is moving towards us
The primary evidence that our Sun is a third-, fourth-, or fifth-generation star comes from the fact that our a.Solar System contains too many heavy atoms to be first-generation. b.Solar System is too large to be first-generation. c.Sun is too hot to be a first-generation star. d.Sun is too large to be a first-generation star.
A. Solar System contains too many heavy atoms to be first-generation
Which of the following statements is true of terrestrial planets as compared to the Jovian planets? a.Terrestrial planets are smaller. b.Terrestrial planets are less dense. c.Terrestrial planets are farther from the Sun. d.Terrestrial planets have higher masses.
A. Terrestrial planets are smaller
__________ was the first human to orbit the Earth. a.Yuri Gagarin b.Neil Armstrong c.Buzz Aldrin d.Edwin Hubble
A. Yuri Gagarin
Which of the following is NOT true about minerals? a. All minerals are compounds of more than one element. b. All minerals are naturally made. c. Some minerals are precipitated by organisms. d. All minerals can be expressed as chemical formulas.
A. all minerals are compounds of more than one element
Compared to oceanic crust, continental crust is a. thicker. b. thinner. c. about the same thickness. d. In some places continental crust is thicker; in some places oceanic crust is thicker. There is no consistent pattern
A. thicker
Because the velocity of sediment settling (deposition) is positively related to grain size for waterborne sediments, fluvial deposits are more likely than glacial deposits to a. be well sorted. b. include coarse grains, such as cobbles. c. include fine grains, such as clay. d. have angular grains.
A. be well sorted
A shale differs from a mudstone in that it a. breaks into platy sheets. b. is compositionally richer in quartz. c. has smaller grains. d. has larger grains.
A. breaks into platy sheets
Limestone reefs and salt deposits are important in the reconstruction of the Earth's history because they a. can be used to infer the ancient climate of the Earth; they are deposited in environments that are restricted to warm climates. b. automatically provide age information; all such deposits occurred between 200 and 400 million years ago. c. are deposited in warm climates today, but there is good reason to think that they were deposited in cold climates millions of years ago. d. pinpoint the locations of old subduction zones.
A. can be used to infer the ancient climate of the Earth; they are deposited in environments that are restricted to warm climates
As compared to aphanitic igneous rocks, phaneritic rocks are a. coarser grained. b. finer grained. c. more mafic. d. more felsic.
A. coarser grained
The distinction between the crust and the mantle is primarily on the basis of a difference in ________; the distinction between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is primarily on the basis of a difference in ________. a. composition; the ability to flow without breaking b. color; composition c. the ability to flow without breaking; composition d. composition; composition, as well
A. composition; the ability to flow without breaking
As compared to coarse-grained igneous rocks, fine- grained igneous rocks a. cool and solidify more quickly. b. cool and solidify more slowly. c. solidify at higher temperatures. d. solidify at lower temperatures.
A. cool and solidify more quickly
In the figure provided below, what type of igneous intrusion is the vertical rock unit shown by letter A? a. dike b. sill c. pluton d. laccolith
A. dike
At transform plate boundaries, a. earthquakes are common but volcanoes are absent. b. volcanoes are common but earthquakes do not occur. c. both earthquakes and volcanoes are common. d. neither earthquakes nor volcanoes are common.
A. earthquakes are common but volcanoes are absent
Look at the two conceptual examples of light waves shown below. These two waves a.have different wavelengths. b.have different amplitudes. c.represent the same hue (color) of light. d.travel at different velocities.
A. have different wavelengths
Consult the figure below. Hawaii is an example of a. hot-spot volcanism. b. mid-ocean ridge volcanism. c. volcanic island arc formed by subduction. d. volcanic continental arc formed by subduction.
A. hot-spot volcanism
Which transport medium carries the largest particles? a. ice in glaciers b. water in rivers c. wind d. water in lakes
A. ice in glaciers
Molten material slowly cools and crystalizes underground. This results in the formation of a(n) a. igneous rock. b. sedimentary rock. c. metamorphic rock. d. glass.
A. igneous rock
Thermal (contact) metamorphism occurs a. in areas surrounding igneous intrusions. b. only where gneiss sits in contact with schist. c. as a consequence of the sinking of a broad region to great depth. d. only at the surface, where rock is in contact with the atmosphere.
A. in areas surrounding igneous intrusions
The terrestrial planets are also known as the a.inner planets. b.outer planets. c.giant planets. d.Jovian planets.
A. inner planets
When magma solidifies below the surface of the Earth, ________ are formed a. intrusive igneous rocks b. extrusive igneous rocks c. volatiles d. pyroclastic rocks
A. intrusive ingneous rocks
Aside from the Earth, the terrestrial planets are a.Mars, Mercury, and Venus .b.Mars, Venus, and Jupiter. c.Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. d.Mars and Saturn.
A. mars, mercury & venus
In the context of scientific cosmology, the universe contains two basic entities: __________ and __________. a.matter, energy b.mass, energy c.stars, planets d.celestial objects, matter
A. matter, energy
Marine magnetic anomaly belts run parallel to a. mid-ocean ridges. b. fracture zones. c. continental coastlines. d. continental shelves.
A. mid-ocean ridges
In the discontinuous series of Bowen's reaction series, the first mineral to crystallize from a mafic melt is a. olivine. b. plagioclase. c. pyroxene. d. quartz.
A. olivine
When two different minerals have the same chemical formula but different crystal structures, they are said to be a. polymorphs. b. polyliths. c. monoliths. d. pseudomorphs.
A. polymorphs
Which of the following describes the progression of rock types through increasing metamorphic grade from left to right? a. shale Æ slate Æ phyllite Æ schist b. basalt Æ andesite Æ rhyolite Æ granite c. sandstone Æ gneiss Æ hornfels Æ zeolite d. migmatiteÆ slate Æ eclogiteÆ schist
A. shale Æ slate Æ phyllite Æ schist
The mineral class that makes up more than 95 percent of the continental crust is termed the a. silicates. b. carbonates. c. halides. d. oxides.
A. silicates
The discovery that each continent had different and separate apparent polar-wander paths, such as those in the figure below, proved that a. the continents move. b. the poles move. c. both the poles and continents move, but only one at a time. d. both the poles and continents move, and do so together.
A. the continents move
Igneous rocks are formed a. through the freezing or crystallization of a melt. b. by changing existing rock by the application of heat and pressure. c. by depositing loose material into layers. d. by chemically precipitating from solutions.
A. the freezing or crystallization of a melt
How does the lithosphere respond to stress? a. It flows. b. It bends only. c. It breaks only. d. It bends or breaks.
D. It bends or breaks
The image below shows ancient dunes exposed in Zion National Park in Utah. Using the interpreted portion of the image at the left, what was the dominant wind direction that formed these sedimentary structures? a. toward the right b. toward the left c. toward both the left and right d. vertical, both up and down
A. toward the right
Sea level rises locally, and marine sediments are deposited on top of terrestrial sediments during events termed a. transgressions. b. regressions. c. turbidity currents. d. cross bedding.
A. transgressions
Most winds and clouds develop in the a.troposphere. b.stratosphere. c.mesosphere. d.thermosphere.
A. troposphere
A pegmatite is a course-grained igneous rock that forms primarily because the melt a. is water-rich. b. cools very slowly. c. cools at great depth. d. cools under specific pressure conditions.
A. water-rich
The broad flat regions that occupy most of the ocean floor are a. abyssal plains. b. continental rises. c. fracture zones. d. seamounts.
A.abyssal plains
Slaty cleavage, schistosity, and compositional banding are all examples of a. mineral cleavage. b. foliation. c. recrystallization. d. metamorphic facies.
B. foliation
The image below shows a series of graded beds. How many graded beds are shown? a. 1 b. 3 c. 6 d. 9
B. 3
The image below shows a view of a typical segmented mid-ocean ridge. Which letter below marks the location of the active transform fault? a. A b. B c. C d. D
B. B
Most asteroids inhabit the asteroid belt between the planets a.Earth and Mars. b.Mars and Jupiter. c.Jupiter and Saturn. d.Neptune and Pluto.
B. Mars and Jupiter
Which of the following is a terrestrial planet? a.Neptune b.Mercury c.Jupiter d.Uranus
B. Mercury
Which of the following planets is MOST similar to Earth? a.Neptune b.Mercury c.Jupiter d.Uranus
B. Mercury
Which of the following is most true of moons? a.Moons orbit a star. b.Moons orbit a planet. c.Moons are stationary in space. d.Moons are composed of rock.
B. Moons orbit a planet
The figure below shows the hypsometric curve for the Earth. Which of the following can be concluded from the plot of this data? a. Regions of high elevation (> 4 km) are common on the Earth. b. Most of the continents are between 0 and 1 km above sea level. c. Elevations of -10 km to 8 km are nearly uniformly distributed across the Earth's surface. d. Most of the seafloor is more than 6 km below sea level.
B. Most of the continents are between 0 and 1 km above sea level
The pattern of atoms in a crystal can be detected using a. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). b. X-ray diffraction. c. thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). d. cathodized axial tomography (CA T).
B. X-ray diffraction
Most of the ocean floor is made up of a. deep-ocean trenches (8 to 11 km below sea level). b. abyssal plains (4 to 5 km below sea level). c. mid-ocean ridges (less than 2.5 km below sea level). d. Elevations of the sea floor are nearly uniformly distributed from sea level to 11 km depth.
B. abyssal plains (4 to 5 km below sea level)
A mixture of copper and tin would be called a(n) a. metal. b. alloy. c. melt. d.volatile.
B. alloy
The image below of Death Valley, CA, shows a road that curves around a(n) a. delta. b. alluvial fan. c. turbidite. d. glacial till
B. alluvial fan
Seafloor spreading is driven by volcanic activity a. in the middle of abyssal plains. b. along mid-ocean ridges. c. at the edges of continental shelves. d. along fracture zones.
B. along mid-ocean ridges
For the majority of minerals, the streak obtained when the mineral is scratched against a porcelain plate is a. only useful if the mineral is softer than the porcelain streak plate. b. always diagnostic of that mineral. c. not useful, because the porcelain will often chemically react with the mineral. d. always dark brown or black.
B. always diagnostic of that material
Most commonly, felsic igneous rocks a. contain more iron and magnesium than intermediate rocks. b. are lighter in color than mafic rocks. c. are darker in color than mafic rocks. d. are found in oceanic crust.
B. are lighter in color than mafic rocks
Hardness refers to a mineral's ability to resist a. breaking. b. being scratched. c. chemically reacting with other substances. d. weathering.
B. being scratched
Marble and quartzite are nonfoliated metamorphic rocks because a. they are never found beneath fault zones or collisional mountain ranges. b. both are dominated by minerals that produce equant grains. c. both are dominated by minerals with crystalline structures that cannot be dissolved. d. dynamothermal metamorphism can break down the structures of their constituent minerals, but the minerals are unstable in that metamorphic environment.
B. both are dominated by minerals that produce equant grains
Minerals are grouped into mineral classes primarily on the basis of a. chemistry, specifically the cations within the chemical formula. b. chemistry, specifically the anions within the chemical formula. c. hardness; hard, soft, and medium are the three primary classes. d. the number of cleavage directions present
B. chemistry, specifically with the cations within the chemical formula
Glass and quartz crystals exhibit a smoothly curving, clamshell-shaped fracture pattern termed a. glassy fracture. b. conchoidal fracture. c. one-directional cleavage. d. obtuse fracture.
B. conchodial fracture
Deep-oceanic trenches are features of ________ plate boundaries. a. divergent b. convergent c. transvergent d. transform
B. convergent
Subduction zones are found at ________ plate boundaries. a. divergent b. convergent c. transvergent d. transform
B. convergent
Which basic type of plate boundary is shown in the image below? a. Divergent b. Convergent c. Transvergent d. Transform
B. convergent
A volcanic arc results from __________ tectonic movements and is associated with a __________. a. divergent; mid ocean ridge b. convergent; subduction zone c. divergent; hot spot d. convergent; mid ocean ridge
B. convergent; subduction zone
As compared to mafic igneous rocks, felsic igneous rocks a. cool and solidify more quickly. b. cool and solidify more slowly. c. solidify at higher temperatures. d. have a higher proportion of silica relative to Mg oxide and Fe oxide.
B. cool and solidify more slowly
Consult the figure below. Here, distinct internal laminations are inclined at an angle to the boundary of the main sedimentary layers. These are termed a. graded beds. b. cross beds. c. horizontal beds d. tilted beds
B. cross beds
In the formation of gneiss from a granite protolith, distinctive compositional bands form because of a. crystals migrating within the rock. b. crystals dissolving, with atoms and ions migrating and reorganizing as new crystals. c. crystals melting, with new crystals solidifying in color bands. d. chemical reactions with groundwater.
B. crystals dissolving, with atoms and ions migrating and reorganizing as new crystals.
The application of ________ during metamorphism causes elongated crystals to align parallel with each other. When this happens, the rock develops ________. a. pressure; a homogeneous texture b. differential stress; foliation c. high temperatures; foliation d. pressure; foliation
B. differential stress; foliation !!!! or A
The shape of the Earth's magnetic field is approximately that of a a.monopole, as would be produced by just one pole of a magnet. b.dipole, such as that produced by a bar magnet. c.torus, a doughnut-shaped ring parallel to the Earth's equator. d.sphere, following the shape of the Earth.
B. dipole, such as that produced by a bar magnet
When limestone becomes chemically altered so that half of the calcium atoms are replaced by magnesium, the resultant rock is termed a. agate. b. dolostone. c. jasper. d. travertine.
B. dolostone
Which of the following choices lists atomic particles ordered from smallest to largest in size? a. atom, nucleus, proton, electron b. electron, proton, nucleus, atom c. proton, electron, nucleus, atom d. atom, electron, nucleus, proton
B. electron, proton, nucleus, atom
A fracture in the crust, where rocks slide past one another, is termed a a. fold. b. fault. c. sliding layer. d. joint.
B. fault
Which of the following statements is false? Hornfels facies rocks a. are typically nonfoliated. b. form at high pressures and low temperatures. c. often form as a result of contact metamorphism. d. are often associated with igneous intrusions
B. form at high pressures and low temperatures
Minerals that do not possess cleavage are said to possess a. invulnerability. b. fracture. c. solidity. d. massiveness.
B. fracture
In which type of silicates are the greatest proportion of oxygen atoms shared by pairs of adjacent tetrahedra? a. chain silicates b. framework silicates c. sheet silicates d. ring silicates.
B. framework silicates
Compared to typical oceanic lithosphere, the thickness of continental lithosphere is a. less. b. greater. c. approximately the same. d. There is not a consistent pattern of lithospheric thickness.
B. greater
Wegener's idea of continental drift was rejected by American geologists because a. his English was too poor to be understood by them. b. he could not conceive of a valid mechanism that would cause continents to shift positions. c. he had relatively little evidence supporting the existence of a supercontinent. d. the apparent fit of continental coastlines is blurred when the margins are defined by the edges of continental shelves rather than by sea level.
B. he could not conceive of a valid mechanism that would cause continents to shift positions
The region of space that contains all of the material of our Solar System (shown below) is termed the a.Kuiper belt. b.heliosphere. c.cryosphere d.Oort cloud.
B. heliosphere
If we mentally align the continents to fit Wegener's concept of Pangaea, evidence of Late Paleozoic glacial deposits a. is more difficult to explain than in the modern continental configuration. b. is much more readily explained than in the modern continental configuration. c. makes very little sense in either the Pangaea configuration or the modern configuration. d. is unchanged from the modern continental configuration.
B. is much more readily explained than in the modern continental configuration
Which of the following is true regarding biochemical chert? a. It is massive (lacking layers). b. It is made of cryptocrystalline quartz. c. It is made of aragonite shell fragments. d. It is composed of the minerals calcite and dolomite.
B. it is made of cryptocrystalline quartz
Which of the following statements cannot be applied to the extrusive igneous rock obsidian? a. It is composed of volcanic glass. b. It possesses conchoidal fracture. c. It is typically felsic in composition. d. It cools very slowly.
B. it possesses conchoidal fracture
Diamonds are usually found in a rock called a. graphite. b. kimberlite. c. gabbro. d. diorite.
B. kimberlite
If you were using both a compass and a map marked with latitude and longitude to navigate, you might note the angle difference between your compass and what is marked on the map, called a. magnetic inclination. b. magnetic declination. c. magnetic dipole. d. magnetic reversal.
B. magnetic declination
The net chemical change in a metamorphic rock induced by a reaction with hot groundwater is termed a. foliation. b. metasomatism. c. anachronism. d. hydrosomatism.
B. metasomatism
Seafloor spreading occurs a. along deep ocean trenches. b. at mid-ocean ridges. c. along fracture zones. d. at subduction zones.
B. mid-ocean ridges
A volcanic island arc forms when a. oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath continental lithosphere. b. oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath another oceanic lithospheric plate. c. continental lithosphere subducts beneath oceanic lithosphere. d. two plates of continental lithosphere collide.
B. oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath another oceanic lithosphere plate
The most recently formed portion of any crystal is always found a. deep within the interior. b. on the outer edges. c. on whichever side is currently facing upward. d. There is no consistent pattern for crystal formation.
B. on the outer edge
According to the figure below, marine magnetic anomalies lay roughly ________ to mid-ocean ridges a. perpendicular b. parallel c. adjacent d. at an obtuse angle
B. parallel
An earthquake would be LEAST likely at a(n) a. active margin. b. passive margin. c. continent-continent convergent zone. d. subduction zone.
B. passive margin
Pegmatites, which often occur in dikes, are unusual among shallow intrusive rocks in that they a. possess porphyritic texture. b. possess exceptionally coarse grains. c. are mineralogically identical to basalt. d. are glassy, cooling so rapidly that crystals do not have time to form.
B. possess exceptionally coarse grains
The atomic mass of an element approximately equals the number of a. electrons. b. protons plus neutrons. c. neutrons. d. protons.
B. protons plus neutrons
Think about the Earth's surface. Most continental topography lies within a range of altitude between a.sea level and 1 km below sea level b.sea level and 1 km above sea level c.2 and 5 km above sea level d.3 and 6 km above sea level
B. sea level and 1 km above sea level
Biochemical limestones are dominated by carbonate mud and fragments of a. siliceous shells of planktonic diatoms and foraminifera. b. skeletons of marine invertebrates made of calcite and aragonite. c. the phosphatic bones of fish. d. the organic breakdown products of wood and leaves from trees.
B. skeletons of marine invertebrates made of calcite and aragonite.
The geotherm is the rate of change of a. pressure with depth in the Earth's interior. b. temperature with depth in the Earth's interior. c. temperature with altitude in the Earth's atmosphere. d. temperature with latitude on the Earth's surface.
B. temperature with depth in Earth's interior
If one were to see a comet passing by the Earth, it would be likely that this comet originated from a.the asteroid belt. b.the Kuiper belt. c.a neighboring galaxy. d.interplanetary space.
B. the Kuiper belt
In a hot-spot volcanic island chain, such as the Hawaiian Islands, which of the following is true? a. All volcanoes in the chain can be simultaneously active. b. The ages and distance between volcanoes can be used to calculate plate velocities. c. The presence of volcanism is related to a plate boundary. d. The magma source moves to form a hot spot track.
B. the ages and distances between volcanoes can be used to calculate plate velocities
Energy can best be described as a.the substance that makes up objects. b.the inherent ability of a region of space and the matter within it to do work. c.the amount of matter in an object. d.the change in frequency that happens when a wave source moves.
B. the inherent ability of a region of space and the matter within it to do work.
What is the difference in the formation of chalk versus chert? a. They have different grain sizes. b. They are made of different source materials. c. Chalk is terrestrial; chert is marine. d. Chalk is biochemical; chert is chemical.
B. they are made of different source materials
When graded beds are observed in a rock outcrop, this tells geologists that a a. turbidity current deposited these beds, depositing finer material first. b. turbidity current deposited these beds, depositing coarser material first. c. slurry deposited these beds with little sorting. d. glacier deposited these beds, depositing coarser material first.
B. turbidity current deposited these beds, depositing coarser material first.
The Wadati-Benioff zone extends down within the mantle to a maximum depth of ________ km. a. 30 b. 150 c. 660 d. 990
C. 660
________ proposed the continental-drift hypothesis, suggesting that the arrangement of continents on the planet has changed over geologic time. a. Harry Hess b. Robert Dietz c. Alfred Wegener d. Harry Hess and Robert Dietz
C. Alfred Wegener
Which planets lie within the habitable zone of our Solar System? a.Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter b.Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars c.Earth and Mars d.Earth and Jupiter
C. Earth and Mars
Which of the following is a primary difference between phyllite and schist? a. Schist contains mica, whereas phyllite contains only clay. b. Phyllite contains mica, whereas schist contains only clay. c. Mica crystals within schist are larger than those within phyllite. d. Mica crystals within phyllite are larger than those within schist.
C. Mica crystals within schist are larger than those within phyllite.
Our Solar System belongs to a galaxy known as a.Andromeda. b.Cepheus. c.the Milky Way. d.the Stratosphere.
C. The Milky Way
Earthquakes occur most frequently near ________ margins. a. seismic b. aseismic c. active d. passive
C. active
Currently, most geologists a. continue to reject continental drift. b. agree that continental drift occurs, but they still do not understand why it occurs. c. agree that continental drift occurs due to mechanisms at work in the ocean basins and upper mantle. d. agree that continental drift occurs due to mechanisms at work in the lower mantle and outer core.
C. agree that continental drift occurs due to mechanisms at work in the ocean basins and upper mantle
Consult the figure below. Compared with low-grade metamorphic rocks, high-grade rocks a. always contain more quartz and feldspar. b. are produced closer to the surface. c. are produced at greater temperatures and pressures. d. are produced at cooler temperatures but greater pressures.
C. are produced at great temperatures and pressures
The lithosphere lies directly above the a. transition zone. b. crust. c. asthenosphere. d. lower mantle.
C. asthenosphere
The thickness of clay and planktonic microskeletons is greatest a. along mid-ocean ridges. b. along fracture zones. c. at the edges of ocean basins. d. in the center of abyssal plains.
C. at the edges of ocean basins
Which environment would most likely produce sedimentary deposits characterized by very well- sorted, very well-rounded grains that are nearly pure quartz? a. river b. glacier c. beach d. alluvial fan
C. beach
What is most likely to be found at fracture zones? a. newly erupted oceanic crust b. broad, flat, nearly featureless plains c. broken-up rocks and vertical cracks d. eroded remains of volcanic islands
C. broken-up rocks and vertical cracks
Which of the following is NOT considered a Jovian planet? a.Uranus b.Neptune c.Saturn d.Pluto
D. Pluto
The image below shows a mineral with hydrochloric acid applied to it. Based on the reaction and presence of gas bubbles, which of the following minerals is this most likely to be? a. quartz b. halite c. calcite d. fluorite
C. calcite
When two continental plates come together at a convergent boundary, the result is a. subduction. b. transform faulting. c. collision and mountain formation. d. hot spot formation.
C. collision and mountain formation
The image below shows an example of which type of heat transfer? a. radiation b. conduction c. convection d. advection
C. convection
The branch of science that studies the structure and history of the Universe is a.cosmetology .b.scientology. c.cosmology. d.astrology.
C. cosmology
Mid-ocean ridges are segmented and contain which two basic types of plate boundaries linked together? a. divergent and convergent b. convergent and transform c. divergent and transform d. divergent and hot spot
C. divergent and transform
Differential stress will cause crystals to align in a preferred orientation unless the crystals are a. primarily mica. b. platy. c. equant. d. elongate.
C. equant
Gemstones are often found in pegmatites, which are igneous rocks that are a. exceptionally mafic. b. extrusive, forming from lava. c. exceptionally coarse grained. d. exceptionally fine grained.
C. exceptionally coarse grained
The density of rocks is generally related to composition; rocks with higher silica contents tend to be less dense. Which of the following places rock compositions in order of increasing density? a. felsic, intermediate, ultramafic, mafic b. ultramafic, mafic, intermediate, felsic c. felsic, intermediate, mafic, ultramafic d. mafic, ultramafic, intermediate, felsic
C. felsic, intermediate, magic, ultramafic
Rocks resulting from thermal (contact) metamorphism will NOT possess a. a new mineral assemblage distinct from that found prior to intrusion. b. larger crystals than those characterizing the country rock prior to intrusion. c. foliation. d. silicate minerals.
C. foliation
Basins that form on the continental side of mountain ranges are called _________ basins. a. rift b. passive-margin c. foreland d. intracontinental
C. foreland
Which of the following minerals is more commonly known as table salt? a. gypsum b. feldspar c. halite d. quartz
C. halite
According to the model proposed by geophysicist J. Tuzo Wilson, hot spots are caused by a. friction due to the lithosphere sliding atop the asthenosphere. b. unusually dense concentrations of radioactive isotopes at various points in the crust. c. hot plumes of mantle material that rise up through cooler, denser surrounding rock. d. zones of localized subduction that produce melting of the mantle.
C. hot plumes of mantle material that rise up through cooler, denser surrounding rock
Which of the following is a mineral? a. petroleum (oil), which is a liquid b. cubic zirconia, which is a synthetic diamond substitute c. ice, which is water in the solid state d. obsidian, a type of volcanic glass
C. ice, which is water in the solid state
Sedimentary rocks are most likely to form a. near the Earth's surface. b. in high-temperature conditions. c. in high-pressure conditions. d. in the upper mantle.
C. in high-pressure conditions
Shiprock, New Mexico, seen in the photo below is a(n) a. sheet-like intrusion that lies parallel to surrounding layers of sedimentary rock. b. cooled layer of lava. c. intrusion that represents the eroded remnant of an extinct volcano. d. sheet-like intrusion that cuts across preexisting layers.
C. intrusion that represents the eroded remnant of extinct volcano
Which of the following is NOT necessarily true of a planet? a.It orbits a star. b.It is nearly spherical in shape. c.It has one or more moons. d.It has cleared its neighborhood of other objects.
C. it has one or more moons
The lithosphere of the Earth will not flow because it a. is too old. b. is too dense. c. is too cool. d. contains radioactive elements.
C. it is too cool
Which of the following is NOT required for a substance to be considered a mineral? a. It must be solid. b. It must be naturally occurring. c. It must contain carbon. d. It must have atoms arranged in an orderly pattern.
C. it must contain carbon
The polarity of the Earth's magnetic field in the geologic past is a. unknown, but is assumed to have been identical to today's. b. known to have stayed constant through geologic time, as shown by remnant magnetization of iron-rich minerals in rocks. c. known to have experienced numerous reversals, as shown by remnant magnetization of iron-rich minerals in rocks. d. known to have stayed constant through time, based on theoretical calculations.
C. known to have experienced numerous reversals, as shown by remnant magnetization of iron-rich minerals in rocks
What does an ordinary compass indicate? a. magnetic inclination b. magnetic declination c. magnetic north d. true north
C. magnetic north
__________ is the substance that makes up objects .a.Energy b.Mass c.Matter d.Cosmology
C. matter
At a subduction zone, the overriding plate a. is always composed of continental lithosphere. b. is always composed of oceanic lithosphere. c. may be composed of either oceanic or continental lithosphere. d. is composed entirely of asthenosphere.
C. may be composed of either oceanic or continental lithosphere
A buried body of shale is subjected to differential stress, causing clay minerals to realign and produce slate. This is an example of a. diagenesis. b. erosion. c. metamorphism. d. weathering.
C. metamorphism
Clay minerals within a buried body of slate are recrystallized at high temperatures and pressures to form mica, producing a rock called phyllite. This is an example of a. diagenesis. b. erosion. c. metamorphism. d. weathering.
C. metamorphism
It is unusual for ________ to carry grains larger than sand. a. ice in glaciers b. water in rivers c. wind d. water at a seaside beach
C. wind
During fractional crystallization of a magma body, the first rock that is expected to crystallize from the magma will be a. identical in chemical composition to the magma. b. more mafic than the magma. c. more felsic than the magma. d. The composition of the rock is not predictable.
C. more felsic than the magma
The sedimentary rocks breccia and conglomerate a. most commonly form in a ________ environment. a. beach b. lake c. mountain stream d. deep-ocean basin
C. mountain stream
Broad, sediment-covered continental shelves are found along a. active margins. b. deep-sea trenches. c. passive margins. d. mid-ocean ridges.
C. passive margins
Which common gemstone results from biomineralization? a. diamond b. garnet c. pearl d. sapphire
C. pearl
The preexisting rock that is subsequently altered to form a metamorphic rock is termed a a. xenolith. b. source rock. c. protolith. d. phenocryst.
C. protolith
Two common metamorphic rocks that typically lack foliation are ________ and ________. a. slate; phyllite b. gneiss; migmatite c. quartzite; marble d. schist; metaconglomerate
C. quartzite; marble
Mid-ocean ridges are elevated above the surrounding seafloor because a. rising ocean currents create a vacuum that pulls ridges up. b. the lithosphere is thickest at the ridges so they stand up taller. c. ridge rocks are hot and therefore are relatively less dense than the surrounding seafloor. d. ridge rocks are mafic, which are less dense than ultramafic ocean basin rock.
C. ridge rocks are hot and therefore are relatively less dense than the surrounding seafloor
A well-sorted sandstone with asymmetric ripples was most likely deposited as sand by a a. river (far from source). b. glacier. c. river (near source). d. alluvial fan.
C. river (near source)
A heavy book is placed on top of a ball of pizza dough, causing the dough to flatten. This is an application of a. normal stress. b. pressure. c. shear stress. d. metasomatism.
C. shear stress
Spreading peanut butter on bread is an application of a. normal stress. b. pressure. c. shear stress. d. metasomatism.
C. shear stress
On either side of a mid-ocean ridge, the lithosphere begins to a. rise because it thickens away from the ridge. b. rise because it becomes buoyant. c. sink because it cools and contracts. d. sink because convection pulls it downward.
C. sink because it cools and contracts
Which list properly orders foliated metamorphic rocks from lowest to highest grade from left to right? a. conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, and shale b. shale, slate, phyllite, and quartzite c. slate, phyllite, schist, and gneiss d. gneiss, phyllite, schist, and slate
C. slate, phyllite, schist and gneiss
Where can icy bodies left over from the protoplanetary disk that formed our Solar System long after the Big Bang be found? a.the heliosphere b.the Oort cloud c.the Kuiper belt d.interplanetary space
C. the Kuiper belt
Oceanic lithosphere thickens away from the mid- ocean ridge primarily due to a. the addition of new crust due to hot-spot volcanism. b. the addition of new crust due to sedimentation. c. the addition of new lithospheric mantle as a result of cooling. d. reasons that geologists cannot determine at present.
C. the addition of new lithospheric mantle as a result of cooling
A triple junction, like the one shown below, is a place on Earth's surface where a. three volcanoes form a tight, triangular cluster. b. glacial ice, continental rocks, and the ocean can be found together. c. the boundaries of three lithospheric plates meet at a single point. d. all three of the basic rock types are found in the same location.
C. the boundaries of three lithospheric plates meet at a single pont
Look at the following imageof the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and the temperature gradient within these layers. Which of the following statements is true of the atmospheric temperatures? a.The temperature consistently increases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere. b.The temperature consistently decreases with altitude from the troposphere to the thermosphere. c.The temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere but increases with altitude in the stratosphere. d.The temperature of the atmosphere varies with no respect to altitude or atmospheric layer.
C. the temperature decreases with altitude in the troposphere but increase with altitude in the stratosphere
Which of the following is true about regressions? a. They are typically well preserved in the sedimentary record. b. They occur when the climate warms and continental ice sheets melt. c. They occur when the land is uplifted by tectonic processes. d. Coastal environments will migrate landward.
C. they occur when the land is uplifted by tectonic processes
Segments of mid-ocean ridge systems are offset. Between the offset segments we observe a. a second series of ridges, perpendicular to the main set. b. deep-ocean trenches. c. transform boundaries. d. hot spots.
C. transform boundaries
Grains become rounded primarily during a. weathering at the outcrop. b. lithification. c. transportation. d. deposition.
C. transportation
Substances that can be transformed to a gas at the conditions found at the Earth's surface are termed a.glasses b.melts c.volatiles d.mineraloids
C. volatiles
All deep-sea trenches border a. fracture zones. b. mid-ocean ridges. c. volcanic arcs. d. seamounts.
C. volcanic arcs
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first people to a.enter space. b.orbit the Earth. c.walk on the Moon. d.walk on Mars.
C. walk on the moon
Important volatiles in magmas include a. mafic minerals, such as olivine. b. potassium and aluminum. c. water and carbon dioxide. d. silicon and iron.
C. water and carbon dioxide
Symmetric ripples form when a. wind blows in a consistent direction and deposits sediment in an arid climate. b. water flows in a consistent direction and deposits sediment in layers. c. water deposits sediment in layers, but the direction of flow periodically changes. d. a mountain stream reaches a flat basin and sediment is deposited in a fan-shaped pattern.
C. water deposits sediment in layers, but the direction of flow periodically changes
Hot spots can occur a. only within continental plates. b. only within oceanic plates. c. within either continental or oceanic plates. d. only on plate boundaries.
C. within either continental or oceanic plates
Minerals are all naturally occurring solid substances with a definable chemical composition. They must also possess a. the ability to be synthesized in the laboratory as well as be found in nature. b. metallic elements, such as iron, calcium, or magnesium. c. metallic luster. d. a fixed crystalline structure (spatial arrangement of atoms and ions).
D. a fixed crystalline structure (spacial arrangement of atoms and ions)
Diamond and graphite are both polymorphs of a. silicon. b. iron. c. magnesium. d. carbon.
D. carbon
Thick accumulations of sediments and fossils in the deep ocean tend to be ___________-sized because of the low amount of energy in the environment. a. cobble b. gravel c. sand d. clay
D. clay
The image below shows an outcrop of coarse-grained sedimentary rock. Note the rock hammer for scale. What is the name of this rock type? a. sandstone b. shale c. breccia d. conglomerate
D. conglomerate
Which of these is NOT the result of plate tectonics? a. continental movement b. seafloor spreading c. subduction d. convection in the outer core
D. convection in the outer core
The mineral assemblage within metamorphic rock is a. always identical to that found within its protolith. b. dependent only on the mineral assemblage of its protolith. c. dependent only on the temperature and pressure of formation. d. dependent on both the mineral assemblage of its protolith and the temperature and pressure of formation.
D. dependent on both the mineral assemblage of its protolith and the temperature and pressure of formation.
The figure below represents the final stage in the Earth's formation, which is marked by all of the following EXCEPT a.atmosphere formation. b.rains creating the oceans. c.gases being added by passing comets. d.differentiation of the core and mantle.
D. differentiation of the core and mantle
Most meteorites are asteroidal or planetary fragments. As such, geologists consider the average composition of meteorites to be representative of the average composition of the a. Earth's crust. b. Earth's mantle. c. Earth's core. d. Earth as a whole.
D. earth as a whole
The distribution of ________ across the globe provides the primary indicator of boundaries between all tectonic plates. a. mountain ranges b. volcanoes c. mid-ocean ridges d. earthquakes
D. earthquakes
Which of the following is not typically associated with the eruption of a Large Igneous Province (LIP)? a. sea-level rise b. climate change c. extinction d. emplacement of large granite batholiths
D. emplacement of large granite batholiths
Volatiles refer to substances that a. crystallize most rapidly out of a melt. b. melt immediately upon contact with a hot body of magma. c. are highly flammable. d. evaporate easily and exist as gases.
D. evaporate easily and exist as gases
!!!!!! Regions of the sea floor with negative magnetic anomalies were formed during times when the Earth's magnetic field a. was exceptionally strong. b. was exceptionally weak. c. had normal polarity. d. had reversed polarity.
D. had reversed polarity
In Wegener's evidence for continental drift, continents were proposed to fit together, such as the east coast of South America with the a. west coast of Europe. b. east coast of Africa. c. west coast of Greenland. d. lower west coast of Africa.
D. lower west coast of Africa
Evidence that the South American and African continents were once joined includes evidence from their coastlines such as a. shared anthropological evidence. b. identical volcanic systems. c. symmetrical earthquake patterns. d. matching fossil distribution
D. matching fossil distributions
Chemical sedimentary rocks are classified primarily on the basis of a. grain size. b. degree of sorting. c. angularity. d. mineral composition.
D. mineral composition
Which of the following bodies is the smallest? a.planet b.star c.protoplanet d.planetesimal
D. planetismal
Bombs, ash, and cinders are all examples of a. intrusive igneous rocks. b. lava flows. c. volatiles. d. pyroclastic debris.
D. pyroclastic debris
Flood basalts such as those found in the Columbia Plateau and the Deccan region are associated with a. subduction zones. b. superplumes. c. mid ocean ridges. d. rifts.
D. rifts
Which of the following is NOT part of the process that leads to the exhumation of metamorphic rocks? a. continents squeezing together b. mountain belts collapsing c. erosion d. rising plumes of magma in the mantle
D. rising plumes of magma in the mantle
Which of the following is not an example of sediment? a. sand b. ground up seashells c. cobblestones on the beach d. sandstone
D. sandstone
Which two gems are varieties of the mineral corundum (Al2O3)? a. emeralds and rubies b. emeralds and sapphires c. aquamarines and emeralds d. sapphires and rubies
D. sapphires and rubies
Continents passively move apart as a result of __________, and they passively move together as a result of __________. a. subduction; seafloor spreading b. declination; subduction c. seafloor spreading; declination d. seafloor spreading; subduction
D. seafloor spreading; subduction
The map below depicts earthquakes, which on the ocean floor coincide most often with a. abyssal plains. b. guyots. c. mid-ocean ridges. d. seamounts.
D. seamounts
Which of the following are most likely to preserve conditions of ancient environments on the Earth? a. intrusive igneous rocks b. extrusive igneous rocks c. metamorphic rocks d. sedimentary rocks
D. sedimentary rocks
Which of the following is true about Earth's tectonic plates? a. All tectonic plates are about the same size. b. All tectonic plates contain both continental and oceanic lithosphere. c. Some tectonic plates contain only continental lithosphere. d. Some tectonic plates contain both oceanic and =continental lithosphere.
D. some tectonic plates contain both oceanic and continental lithosphere
The color of a mineral in powdered form is termed a. color. b. specific gravity. c. luster. d. streak.
D. streak
Viscosity does NOT depend on a. temperature. b. volatile content. c. silica content. d. the total volume of the magma body.
D. total volume of magma body
Earth's geothermal gradient is the rate of temperature change incurred by a. increasing altitude in the atmosphere. b. increasing depth at ocean trenches. c. traversing from either pole toward the equator. d. traversing down into the Earth's interior.
D. traversing down into earths interior
In silicate minerals, the SiO4 tetrahedron can be chemically bonded to form all of the following EXCEPT a. sheets. b. independent tetrahedra. c. double chains. d. triple chains.
D. triple chains
Retrograde metamorphism will not occur unless an increased amount of ________ is added to the system. a. temperature b. differential stress c. pressure d. water
D. water
An aurora (shown below) is produced when a.charged particles flow toward the magnetic poles and excite atmospheric gases. b.swamp gases rise from the Arctic tundra and react with the upper atmosphere. c.radiation in the Van Allen belts can be seen on a clear, cold night. d.lightning travels from cloud to cloud rather than cloud to ground.
a. charged particles flow toward the magnetic poles and excite atmospheric gases
As compared to the rocks that make up the crust, the Earth as a whole is a. considerably more dense. b. considerably less dense. c. slightly less dense. d. about the same density.
a. considerably more dense
If a body of magma becomes more felsic, its viscosity will a. increase. b. decrease. c. stay the same. d. Chemical composition has no effect on viscosity.
a. increase
Evidence that glaciers once covered an area might include a. till and striations. b. backwash and striations. c. till and grabens. d. backwash and grabens.
a. till and striations
The figure below shows a moving source of light withfour stationary observers at different locations. Which observer will see red-shifted light from the moving source? a. A b. B c. C d. D
b. B
If the volatile content of magma is increased, its viscosity will a. increase. b. decrease. c. stay the same. d. Volatile content has no effect on viscosity.
b. decrease
By far the most common elements in the Universe and in our Solar System are a.nitrogen and oxygen. b.iron and manganese. c.hydrogen and helium. d.hydrogen and oxygen
c. hydrogen & helium
Diagenesis refers to a. the development of layering within sedimentary rocks. b. the act of deposition of sediment that will determine the characteristics of and, ultimately, form a sedimentary rock. c. physical and chemical alterations, including compaction and cementation, that occur as sediment is transformed into rock. d. the natural process of separating sediment by grain size.
c. physical and chemical alterations, including compaction and cementation, that occur as sediment is transformed into rock.
A fragmental, extrusive igneous rock is referred to which of the following? a. crystalline b. vitric c. pyroclastic d. vesicular
c. pyroclastic
!!!!!!Which of the following is NOT true about comets and asteroids? a.Comets are icy, while asteroids are rocky. b.Both are planetesimals. c.Both are numerous in our Solar System. d.Both originate in the Kuiper belt.
d. Both originate in the Kuiper belt
Which of the following does not affect the cooling rate of magma? a. depth of intrusion b. shape and size of magma body c. presence of circulating groundwater d. tectonic setting
d. tectonic setting