ERTH 1000E Quizzes

Place the following events in plant evolution in the correct order from older to more recent.

1. photosynthesis 2. land plants 3. trees and forests 4. flowering plants

Relative to the Sun's reference frame, what is the orbital velocity of the Earth in miles per hour?

67,000

Which of the following statements is non-falsifiable? Most people prefer red over purple flowers I have flowers in a vase on my desk in my office All flowers are beautiful Different flower coloration is the result of differing chemical composition of the flower

All flowers are beautiful

What does it mean if an organism is a phototroph? An organism that reduces chemicals to get its energy An organism that oxidizes chemicals to get its energy An organism that consumes other organisms to get its energy An organism that uses light to get its energy

An organism that uses light to get its energy

Let's say that I am standing in front of a rock formation with rock strata that were formed in the Jurassic Period and I'm curious if the rock formation also includes rock strata from the Triassic Period. Where should I be looking? Below the rock strata of the Jurassic Period Above the rock strata of the Jurassic Period

Below the rock strata of the Jurassic Period

Study the diagram below. Which of the following statements is FALSE? Layer C is older than Pluton I. Lava flow A is older than layer H Layer H is older than layer C Fault K is older than layer B

Layer H is older than layer C

Compare the diagrams in Question 2 and Question 6. How do you think the residence time of carbon in the atmosphere compares with water in the atmosphere? On average, Carbon resides in the atmosphere for a shorter amount of time than water On average, Carbon and water have equal residence times in the atmosphere On average, Carbon resides in the atmosphere for a longer amount of time than water

On average, Carbon resides in the atmosphere for a longer amount of time than water

Eukaryotic cells are more complex than those of prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea), with the cells containing a cell nucleus, they are larger, and membranous structures called organelles. The oldest evidence for Eukaryotic cells is from what Eon? Hadean Archean Phanerozoic Proterozoic

Proterozoic

Study the map below. Where would I find the oldest parts of Earth's crust? Large Igneous Provinces Orogens Extended Crust Shields

Shields

At the boundary of which two periods did the largest mass extinction in Earth's history occur? The Permian - Triassic boundary The Cretaceous - Paleogene boundary The Ediacaran - Cambrian boundary The Ordovician - Silurian boundary

The Permian - Triassic boundary

The terrestrial portions of Earth went "green" approximately how many years ago? a. 40 million b. 400 million c. 4 billion d. 40

b. 400 million

Why is the Great Oxygenation Event, at the beginning of the Proterozoic Eon, also known as the Oygen Catastrophe? because Oxygen is thought to have been brought to Earth by a comet, but the impact of the comet would have also led to widespread extinctions because there is evidence for a contemporaneous mass extinction because the existing life on Earth was likely not well-adapted to atmospheric Oxygen because at the same time as the Great Oxygenation Event, the supercontinent Rodinia formed

because Oxygen is thought to have been brought to Earth by a comet, but the impact of the comet would have also led to widespread extinctions

Explicitly and officially, the Anthropocene is (or will be) a(an) a. New chemical compound b. New approach to environmental issues c. Region of environmental impact d. Epoch of geological time

d. Epoch of geological time

Globally, deserts form in high-pressure systems: where ________________ and absorbs the moisture in the air. descending cold air heats up ascending warm air cools down descending warm air cools down ascending cold air warms up

descending cold air heats up

Fill in the blanks: during the Last Glacial Maximum ________ sea-level was _______ than today. isostatic, higher eustatic, lower eustatic, higher isostatic, lower

eustatic, lower

This question relates to the Video of Question 1. In the early Phanerozoic, the Cambrian and Ordovician periods, Earth's continental landmasses were primarily _______. in the Northern Hemisphere in the Southern Hemisphere below sea-level active Large Igneous Provinces

in the Southern Hemisphere

This question refers to the image in the previous question. Let's say that the amount of incoming short wavelength energy that gets reflected increases (for example if the Short Wavelength reflected in the diagram goes from -30 to -40). What would happen in the rest of the climate system? more long wavelength emitted at the Earth's surface, cooler global climate more short wavelength absorbed at the Earth's surface, warmer global climate less long wavelength emitted at the Earth's surface, warmer global climate less short wavelength absorbed at the Earth's surface, cooler global climate

less short wavelength absorbed at the Earth's surface, cooler global climate

Let's say that I am looking at a rock outcrop and I see the following succession of rock layers. A layer of Gneiss, followed by a layer of Basalt, followed by a layer of Sandstone. What is the correct order of formation processes that I can interpret to have happened in this location? erosion, transportation and deposition, followed by volcanism, follwed by rock metamorphosis volcanism, followed by rock metamorphosis, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition rock metamorphosis, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition, followed by volcanism rock metamorphosis, followed by volcanism, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition

rock metamorphosis, followed by volcanism, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition

Related to same map as in Question 1. Which of the following tectonic plate boundaries is NOT a subduction zone (a plate boundary where oceanic crust is disappearing into the Mantle underneath another plate)? the Pacific and Australian plates the Indian and Eurasian plates the Pacific and Philppine plates the Cocos and North American plates

the Indian and Eurasian plates

The second figure in chapter 2 in the textbook is a detailed map of the tectonic plates in the world. I didn't copy it here, because it's very large! Study the map. Which of the following tectonic plate boundaries is NOT a divergent plate boundary (a plate boundary where two tectonic plates are moving apart)? the Nazca and South American plates the North American and Eurasian plates the Antarctic and African plates the Pacific and Cocos plates

the Nazca and South American plates

Study the image below, the Coriolis Effect deflects air masses in the Northern Hemisphere ______. to the right to the west to the east to the left

to the right

This question refers to the image in the previous question. The biggest mass extinction in Earth's history happened at the Permian-Triassic boundary, about 252 million years ago. According to the graph, what was global climate doing around that time? transitioning from a cool to a warm global climate global climate was uniformly warm at this time global climate was uniformly cool at this time

transitioning from a cool to a warm global climate

For most of Phanerozoic earth history, average global climate was _______. cooler than today drier than today rainier than today warmer than today

warmer than today

Using the Relative Dating Principles from the textbook: place the following in the correct order, from OLD to YOUNG.

1. vishnu basement rocks 2. grand canyon supergroup rocks 3. the great unconformity 4. bright angel shale 5. redwall limestone 6. conconino sandstone

Which of the following rock types is a Metamorphic rock? Limestone Arkose Gneiss Rhyolite

Gneiss

Which layer of the Earth is liquid? Atmosphere Crust Inner core Mantle Outer core

Outer core

The picture below shows cross-bedding in a Jurassic rock outcrop in northern Arizona. Cross-bedding can indicate movement of sediment by _________ and indicates the presence of a _________ environment during the time of deposition. ice, glacial wind, desert ice, desert wind, glacial

wind, desert

Which of the following is NOT one of the three main rock types? Crystal Metamorphic Igneous Sedimentary

Crystal

What is a useful marker point for the Global Anthropocene? When glacial sediments are replaced by organic sediments Excess of radioactive isotopes such as 14C and 239Pu in rocks and sediments When Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) first appeared in the atmosphere When Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) first get recorded in rocks and sediment

Excess of radioactive isotopes such as 14C and 239Pu in rocks and sediments

Which has been of little significance to Earth's Phanerozoic atmospheric history? Helium Water vapor Oxygen Carbon dioxide

Helium

Which of the following statements is falsifiable? It has never snowed in July in Connecticut Aliens exist, but they use radiosignals and communication methods that humans can't detect Apples taste better than oranges Surrealism is the art form that is best at capturing modern-day life and issues

It has never snowed in July in Connecticut

Study the map below of volcanic hotspots around the world, with major plate tectonic boundaries indicated as well. Larger circles indicate more active hotspots. Which of the following statements is TRUE? i. Hotspots cannot get through continental crust ii. Hotspots preferentially form on tectonic plate boundaries Statement ii is true Neither statement is true Statement i is true Both statements are true

Neither statement is true

Which of the following time periods should not be part of this group? Devonian Permian Neogene Ordovician Carboniferous

Neogene

What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere? Nitrogen Hydrogen Oxygen Carbon Dioxide

Nitrogen

Study the figure below. Which of the following statements is TRUE? i. All anthropogenic forcings have a warming effect ii. Anthropogenic forcings combined have a net warming effect Statement ii is true Both statements are true Neither statement is true Statement i is true

Statement ii is true

A volcano spews out a stream of lava. When the lava reaches water, it cools down and solidifies. What is this type of Mineral Formation called? crystallization precipitation from aqueous solution biomineralization or biological precipitation diffusion

crystallization

Oceans are connected and mix globally, thanks to Thermohaline Circulation, also known as the Global Conveyor Belt, as shown in the diagram below. What process is important in driving thermohaline circulation? wind directions caused by continental position wind directions caused by Eckman spirals density differences caused by salinity density similarities caused by temperature

density differences caused by salinity

This question refers to the diagram in Question 10. Subduction is the process by which Earth's crust and the rocks it is composed of returns into the mantle (or more specifically, the asthenosphere). What process are these rocks subjected to as they get subducted into the mantle? compacting & cementing cooling subjected to heat & pressure melting

melting

Match the description of the following processes to the correct type of rock that forms as a result.

minerals precipitate out of the water of a desert lake - chemical sedimentary rock microscopic silica hells accumulate on the ocean floor and lithifies over time - biochemical sedimentary rock a magma chamber cools down and crystallizes - ignenous rock a rock deforms under the pressure of 2 colliding continents - metamorphic rock water from a flood that washed away bedrock and infrastructure settles down, leaving behind a layer of rocky debris that over time lithifies - clastic sedimentary rock

Study the image below. The greenhouse effect works by certain gas molecules absorbing and re-radiating _______. outgoing long-wave infrared radiation incoming long-wave solar radiation incoming short-wave solar radiation outgoing short-wave infrared radiation

outgoing long-wave infrared radiation

Which of the following is not a cause of land subsidence? seasonal freezing and thawing of rocks dissolution of underground carbonate rock mining and extraction of subsurface fluids, such as groundwater and petroleum compaction of underground sediment

seasonal freezing and thawing of rocks

This question refers to the figure in Question 1. Places like Scandinavia, Alaska, southern Chile and New Zealand, though far apart, have one thing in common: the dominant direction the wind comes from is the ______. east west north south

west

Below is a cladogram of the major animal phyla. What is the phylum that humans (Homo sapiens) are in? Chordates Cnidarians Lophophorates Arthropods Echinoderms

Chordates

During the Cretaceous, the last period of the Mesozoic, North America was split up by a shallow sea, called the Western Interior Seaway (see figure below). Consider the following observations. Which are observations that fit the theory of the existence of the Western Interior Seaway during the Cretaceous? i. Cretaceous fossil of marine animals, such as Mosasaurs and Plesiosaurs, can be found in places such as Texas, Montana and Alberta. ii. No fossils of Cretaceous Dinosaur (entirely land-dwelling animals) species from western states/provinces, such as California, Washington and British Columbia, can be found in eastern states/provinces, such as Quebec, North Carolina and Wisconsin, and vice versa. Neither observation fits the Western Interior Seaway theory Observation i fits the Western Interior Seaway theory Both observations i and ii fit the Western Interior Seaway theory Observation ii fits the Western Interior Seaway theory

Both observations i and ii fit the Western Interior Seaway theory

A weather phenomenon that is in the news a lot lately is the Atmospheric River. Below is an example of a radar image Atmospheric River. The image shows "Precipitable Water Anomaly" on January 7th 2022 over Hawaii and the western USA. Reds indicate a higher than normal atmospheric Precipitable Water content. Which of the following statements about Atmospheric Rivers is TRUE? i: Judging by this image and the diagram in Question 5, the Atmospheric River on January 7th follows the dominant direction of atmospheric circulation. ii. Atmospheric rivers are of concern, especially with rising global temperatures, because the higher global temperatures become, the more moisture Atmospheric Rivers can hold, which means that flooding risk increases. Statement i is true Both statements are true Statement ii is true Neither statement is true

Both statements are true

Which of the following statements is TRUE about the graph below? i. The world's population growth rate increased and reached its peak in the same period as the Great Acceleration ii. The world's population growth rate is expected to decline in the future Neither statement is true Statement i is true Statement ii is true Both statements are true

Both statements are true

Which of the following statements is TRUE? i. During the Carboniferous period, expanding forests led Earth's atmospheric oxygen to reach levels higher than ever ii. During the Carboniferous period, expanding forests led Earth's carbon dioxide levels to plummet, resulting in an ice-age Statement ii is true Both statements are true Neither statement is true Statement i is true

Both statements are true

Watch this Video, showing reconstructed Continental Drift from the start of the Phanerozoic until today. Starting in the Triassic, Pangea _______ and South America migrated ________ relative to Africa. Came together, west Broke up, east Came together, east Broke up, west

Broke up, west

What is usually used as a marker for a geologic time period, such as an epoch? Changes in rock coloration Epochs change at cyclical intervals Occurrences of catastrophes Changes in fossil content

Changes in fossil content

In the figure in the previous question, the "Great Unconformity" is between the Tapeats Sandstone and the Grand Canyon Supergroup. What best describes what the "Great Unconformity" represents? It represents a large change in plate tectonics, leading to a change in how rock formations are deposited It represents the time inbetween the formation of the Tapeats Sandstone and the Grand Canyon Supergroup that is not represented by any rocks here It represents a boundary: above it, the law of superposition applies, but below it, the law of superposition does not apply

It represents the time inbetween the formation of the Tapeats Sandstone and the Grand Canyon Supergroup that is not represented by any rocks here

What finding from the Vostok ice core was the most important in terms of our understanding of the natural climate and how it compares to today's climate? It showed that the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration had in 800,000 years never been as high as it is today It showed that the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration had in 800,000 years never been as low as it is today It showed that the amount of snowfall had in 800,000 years never been as low as it is today It showed that the amount of snowfall had in 800,000 years never been as high as it is today

It showed that the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration had in 800,000 years never been as high as it is today

This question relates to the figure in Question 10. July was clearly the month with the highest discharge for the Connecticut River, which makes sense because of the enormous amount of rainfall we received. Which month has the lowest discharge and was likely the driest month? November June September February

June

The scientific method relies on making objective observations. Which of the following is not objective? Keeping the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold The olive oil is clouded when the temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the house The houseplants start to wilt when the temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the house The thermometer says that it is 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the house

Keeping the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold

This question relates to the Question 1. Study the diagram below. Which process is schematically depicted in the diagram below? speciation because of isolation extinction because of isolation speciation because of invasion extinction because of invasion

speciation because of isolation

Study the diagram below. Which of the following statements is TRUE? i. P-waves, also known as pressure or primary waves, generated by Earthquakes, cannot travel through the Earth's outer core ii. S-waves, also known as shear or secondary waves, generated by Earthquakes, cannot travel through the Earth's outer core statement i is true statement ii is true Both statements are true Neither statement is true

statement ii is true

Earth's atmosphere went through many drastic transitions over the 4.6 billion years of Earth's history. In the diagram below, you see a timeline (in millions of years ago) with on the y-axis two things: 1) the relative abundance of Iron (Fe2+ in red), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S in green) and Oxygen (O2 in blue). Additionally, the relative amount of atmospheric oxygen (O2) as a percentage of modern is indicated as a line (purple). The implication of this figure is that along with changes in atmospheric oxygen, came major changes in ocean chemistry. Where on this timeline would you put the TWO largest changes in atmospheric oxygen and ocean chemistry? at 3500 and 1500 million years ago at 3000 and 300 million years ago at 2500 and 500 million years ago at 4000 and 0 million years ago

at 2500 and 500 million years ago

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure in Question 2. Between which two "spheres" is the Carbon exchange (flux rate) the largest? between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere between the biosphere and the atmosphere between the lithosphere and the hydrosphere between the biosphere and the hydrosphere

between the biosphere and the atmosphere

During the Ordovician period, an ecosystem developed that led to a multiplication of biodiversity. Though the organisms that comprise this ecosystem today are very different than during the Ordovician, it is still one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. What ecosystem is this? ecosystems around hydrothermal vents lagoons reefs rainforests

reefs

Study the figure below. Atmospheric circulation on Earth leads to certain climates on Earth predominating in specific areas. Looks specifically at the areas at 0 degrees latitude (the equator or the tropics) and the areas at 30 degrees latitude (the subtropics). Match the correct predominating climate types with the correct area.

rising air masses - tropics descending air masses - subtropics low pressure systems - tropics high pressure systems - subtropics wet/rainy/rainforest - tropics dry/arid/desert - subtropics

Let's say that I am looking at a rock outcrop and I see the following succession of rock layers, but I'm not sure how to classify them: a rock layer with strong foliation, followed by a rock layer that looks like it's composed of eroded pieces of other rocks & minerals, followed by a dark, vesicular layer in which the rocks is composed entirely of tiny interlocking crystals. What is the correct order of formation processes that I can interpret to have happened in this location? erosion, transportation and deposition, followed by volcanism, follwed by rock metamorphosis rock metamorphosis, followed by volcanism, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition rock metamorphosis, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition, followed by volcanism volcanism, followed by rock metamorphosis, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition

rock metamorphosis, followed by erosion, transportation and deposition, followed by volcanism

This question refers to the diagram in Question 10. Rocks of any kind sitting at the surface can be broken down and transported away from their parent rock by Weathering & Erosion. This process makes them part of another type of rock reservoir. Which one? sediments metamorphic rocks igneous rocks sedimentary rocks

sediments

This question relates to the Video of Question 1. How many Icehouses did you count from the Cambrian to the present day? (Icehouses are continuous periods with permanent glaciers in the Southern and/or Northern Hemisphere)

3

Compared to Pleistocene times, ______ times more material, on an annual basis, is currently transported across the face of the Earth.

3-5

Below you see a graph of Discharge of the Connecticut River at Thompsonville (near the Massachusetts border) in 2021. Note that each tick mark on the x-axis represents the first day of the month. If you're from New England, New York or New Jersey, you probably remember the flooding of July 2021, due to tropical storms that hit the area. Read off the graph: how high did the discharge get at this time? (write down a NUMBER ONLY, do not include cubic feet per second)

70,000

The figure below shows Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration in ice bubbles recovered from the EPICE Dome C Ice Core in Antarctica. How many ice-ages (glacial periods) does this graph suggest the Earth has witnessed in the last 800,000 years?

9

Study the diagram below about the Scientific Method. What is the main difference between a theory and a hypothesis? A hypothesis if formulated before doing an experiment A hypothesis isn't based on observations A theory is formulated before making observations A theory can't be rejected

A hypothesis if formulated before doing an experiment

What best describes a Large Igneous Province? A large continuous area and volume of igneous rocks A rock formation that can be correlated to a mass extinction An extesive time period of volcanism A place with many active volcanoes

A large continuous area and volume of igneous rocks

Carbon-14 is a radioactive form of the element Carbon that has a half-life of 5,730 years. Let's say you're studying a mastondon bone and the Carbon-14 (parent isotope) to Nitrogen-14 (daughter isotope) ratio of the bone is 6:94. How old is this hypothetical mastodon bone? About 0.25 x 5,730 = 1,400 years About 4 x 5,730 = 23,000 years About 2 x 5,730 = 11,500 years About 0.125 x 5,730 = 700 years

About 4 x 5,730 = 23,000 years

Let's say that I am standing in front of a rock formation with rock strata that were formed in the Mesozoic Era and I'm curious if the rock formation also includes rock strata from the Cenozoic Era. Where should I be looking? Below the rock strata of the Mesozoic Era Above the rock strata of the Mesozoic Era

Above the rock strata of the Mesozoic Era

What's wrong with Google's definition of the Anthropocene? a. It uses the term age and period incorrectly b. It describes humans as a force of nature c. It uses the terms climate & environment interchangeably d. All of the above

All of the above

Which of the following have been invoked as causal mechanisms of extinctions at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, 66 million years ago? (select all that apply) Asteroid / Meteorite impact Sea-level drop (regression) Flood basalt volcanism The emergence of modern-day birds Glaciation in the Southern Hemisphere

Asteroid / Meteorite impact Sea-level drop (regression) Flood basalt volcanism

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure in Question 2. The video talks about changes in the Carbon reservoirs due to fossil fuel consumption. You can see this in the diagram in Question 2 as well, indicated by red text. The red numbers next to the reservoirs indicate how much that reservoir has changed since Anthropogenic changes started, whereas the red arrows indicate the new yearly flux rate. Which Carbon reservoir is changing the fastest? (Hint: consider the original size of the reservoir in your answer as well) Fossil fuels Atmosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere

Atmosphere

This question relates to the Video of Question 1. Search for the Mississippian / Penssylvanian periods in the video (these two are collectively known as the Carboniferous). What is the best description of the environment in relation to the paleogeography of Connecticut during the Carboniferous? Connecticut was covered in rainforest Connecticut was under a glacier Connecticut was in the deep ocean Connecticut was part of a mountain range

Connecticut was part of a mountain range

Biological isolation is a consequence of plate tectonics. The opposite, biological invasion, also (normally) only happens as a consequence of plate tectetonics. Biological isolation leads to speciation, as formerly connected populations are now separate, and will evolve separately, over time losing the capability to reproduce, and becoming distinct species. This is known as allopatric speciation. In other words, over time biological isolation leads to more diversity. On the other hand, biological invasion connects formerly separate populations. Through novel niche interactions, such as competition, newly mixed species may go extinct. Therefore, over time biological invasion leads to lower diversity. With that in mind, let's consider the example of the Panama Isthmus again. The Isthmus connected the land between North and South America, but separated the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean. What kind of changes in diversity would you expect to see over time? Extinction in North and South America, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean Speciation in North and South America and extinction in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean Extinction in North and South America and speciation in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean Speciation in North and South America, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean

Extinction in North and South America and speciation in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean

Study the two figures below. The picture on the left is a satellite image of the Connecticut River, with on the east side Glastonbury and on the west sides farmland that is part of Wethersfield. The diagram on the right is a schematic drawing (from the Textbook) that indicates relative speeds for any stream or river. Fill in the blanks: At the white line, the fastest flow is occuring on the ________ side of the river. On that side is also where _________ rates are the highest. Glastonbury, erosion Wethersfield, sediment deposition Wethersfield, erosion Glastonbury, sediment deposition

Glastonbury, erosion

Study the diagram of the Carbon Cycle below. Which of the following are sources of carbon in the atmosphere? (select all that apply) Weathering Subduction Human emissions Volcanism Respiration Photosynthesis

Human emissions Volcanism Respiration

A drainage basin (synonymous with Watershed) is the topographic area, bordered by drainage divides, that captures precipitation and drains out into a common outlet, such as a river, bay or even an ocean. Have a look at the map below of some of New England's drainage basins. Which watershed is the largest by surface area? Connecticut River Housatonic River Long Island Sound Thames River

Long Island Sound

Study the map below. Which of the following statements is TRUE? i. The older the oceanic lithosphere the more common it is ii. Old oceanic lithosphere is typically found at tectonic plate boundaries. Statement ii is true Statement i is true Neither statement is true Both statements are true

Neither statement is true

This question relates to the diagram in the previous question. The average person has a mass of about 62 kilograms (kg). How many kilograms are there in 1 Gigaton? One nonillion kilograms, or 10 to the power of 30 One billion kilograms, or 10 to the power of 9 One quadrillion kilograms, or 10 the power of 15 One trillion kilograms, or 10 to the power of 12

One trillion kilograms, or 10 to the power of 12

What are the TWO most abundant elements in the Earth's continental crust? (select TWO) Carbon Iron Oxygen Potassium Nickel Calcium Sodium Silicon

Oxygen Silicon

Which is the largest mass extinction in Earth's history? Meaning, which mass extinction is associated with the largest number of species extinctions? Cretaceous - Paleogene extinction Sixth mass extinction (the modern day one) Cambrian Explosion Permian-Triassic mass extinction

Permian-Triassic mass extinction

Have a look at the figure below, which shows a map of the United States with topography exaggerated, so that you can clearly see where mountain ranges are. Consider your answer in the previous question: Each of the letters on the map represents a biological population. Which is the most biologically isolated from therefore has the most unique species?

Population A

Study the figure below of typical landforms associated with different plate tectonic settings. At what sort of tectonic setting does an oceanic trench form? For example, the Mariana Trench, which is where the deepest part of the ocean around the world is. Subduction Zone Mid-oceanic ridge Transform plate boundary Continental rift

Subduction Zone

Which of the following statements about the Geologic Time Scale is FALSE? The Proterozoic Eon is longer than the Phanerozoic Eon The Triassic Period is part of the Paleozoic Era The Ordovician Period is followed by the Silurian period 100 million years ago is in the Cretaceous Period

The Triassic Period is part of the Paleozoic Era

Which of the following is NOT important in judging the credibility of a scientific finding? Research was reviewed by peers who have expertise in the relevant field Source contains references to other peer-reviewed sources The finding was made by scientists who have never been wrong before Inferences clearly distinguished from data in report

The finding was made by scientists who have never been wrong before

Which of the following is not an observation that supports the Giant Impact Hypothesis for the Moon's formation? The Earth has a relatively high angular momentum The impact structure that can be found on the Moon The Earth and the Moon have a similar composition The Moon is tidally locked in Earth's orbit

The impact structure that can be found on the Moon

Study the diagram below. Which of the following statements about Earth History is False? Life has existed on Earth for the majority of Earth's history The first evidence for photosynthesis on Earth is found in the Archean eon The last Dinosaur was closer to the first Dinosaur in time, than we are to the last Dinosaur Rocks that are 1 or 2 billion years old were formed in the Proterozoic eon

The last Dinosaur was closer to the first Dinosaur in time, than we are to the last Dinosaur

How closely related to humans are orangutans? They are in the same tribe They are in the same order They are in the same family They are in the same genus

They are in the same family

Footprints, like Eubrontes footprints from Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut, are examples of what kind of fossils? Body fossils Molds Trace fossils

Trace fossils

Let's say that I'm using radiometric dating to get a time of formation for a rock. Radiometric dating can give uncertainties, meaning that the date on a rock is not always precise. In this hypothetical situation, my rock turns out to be 255 million years old +/- 20 million years (the +/- means that it is possible that the rock was formed 20 million years later or earlier). What possible time periods could the rock have formed in? Devonian Triassic Jurassic Permian Carboniferous

Triassic Permian

Which describes the New England geology giving rise to its geography? Unglaciated, hard rock, passive tectonic margin Unglaciated, soft rock, passive tectonic margin Glaciated, hard rock, active tectonic margin Glaciated, soft rock, active tectonic margin

Unglaciated, hard rock, passive tectonic margin

What is the Gaia hypothesis? a. Biological activity writ large is responsible for maintaining Earth as habitable for life. b. Humans have an instinctive love of living things. c. Earth is the universe, or at least at the center of it. d. The planet is unquestionably female.

a. Biological activity writ large is responsible for maintaining Earth as habitable for life.

Humans are eusocial organisms because natural selection takes place at a. Both group and individual levels. b. Neither group nor individual levels c. The group level only. d. The individual level only.

a. Both group and individual levels.

Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans in 2005, was caused by weather. The resulting property damage was due mainly to a. The historic engineering modifications of the Mississippi River. b. The historic engineering modifications of the Ohio River. c. The super strength of the storm relative to other Category 5 hurricanes. d. Poor planning during evacuation

a. The historic engineering modifications of the Mississippi River.

Which trait is used to distinguish between the major types IGNEOUS rocks? a. crystal size b. geographic location c. degree of foliation d. composition of cement

a. crystal size

The practice of science uses these three terms: hypothesis, law, theory. Rank them in order from most specific to most general. a. hypothesis, theory, law b. law, theory, hypothesis c. hypothesis, law, theory d. theory, law, hypothesis

a. hypothesis, theory, law

Absolute (or numerical) age dating is usually done using ________. a. radioactive isotopes b. organic compounds c. stratigraphic sequencing d. fossil correlation.

a. radioactive isotopes

How does Godzilla relate to the Anthropocene? a. As Godzilla's size increased, so did the global collective anxiety about human impact on the planet b. Godzilla tries to limit the impact of humans on the planet c. The Anthropocene and Godzilla have a similar mythical status d. Godzilla was imagined when the Anthropocene was first defined

a. As Godzilla's size increased, so did the global collective anxiety about human impact on the planet

Study the graph below. Approximately how much higher is the modern day extinction rate of mammals above the background extinction rate? about 200 times about 20 times about 0.2 times about 2 times

about 20 times

How many pounds of stone, sand, and gravel are you expected to use in your lifetime?

about a million

Which of the following statements is NOT consistent with Uniformitarianism? a. Each year, a layer of sediment is laid down. Eventually, a thick sedimentary bed is formed. b. A large asteroid hit the Earth and caused devastation which killed many species, like the dinosaurs. c. Today certain clams and corals only live in shallow tropical marine environments. Ancient rocks with coral fossils also must have formed in tropical marine environments. d. Erosion occurs in the valley every spring when the rains come. By this logic, the valley will be getting deeper every year.

b. A large asteroid hit the Earth and caused devastation which killed many species, like the dinosaurs.

Which of the following statements about the definition and classification of Minerals is TRUE? i. Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic and solid ii. The word "crystal" does not describe a particular kind of rock, but rather the structure of a mineral a. Statement ii is true b. Both statements are true c. Neither statement is true d. Statement i is true

b. Both statements are true

Which is the correct order from the largest (most inclusive) to the smallest unit of time? a. Period, Epoch, Era b. Eon, Era, Epoch c. Era, Epoch, Period d. Epoch, Era,

b. Eon, Era, Epoch

Phylogeny refers to the a. Anatomy of the skull b. Evolutionary relatedness of organisms. c. Genetic mutations giving rise to humans. d. Languages used by primitive peoples

b. Evolutionary relatedness of organisms.

In which epoch does the earliest evidence of art occur? a. Holocene b. Pleistocene c. Pliocene d. Eocene

b. Pleistocene

The Sixth Extinction is due mainly to a. volcanic de-gassing b. human activity c. climate change d. asteroid impacts

b. human activity

An oyster creates a mineral (Calcite) shell by taking Calcium and Carbonate ions from the water, forming the inorganic compound Calcite by an organic process. What is this type of Mineral Formation called? biomineralization or biological precipitation precipitation from aqueous solution diffusion crystallization

biomineralization or biological precipitation

Fossils of Iguanodon have been found in early Cretaceous rocks from central Asia to western Europe to Alaska. Let's say that I find Iguanodon fossils in Texas, I could safely interpret these rocks to be from the early Cretaceous as well, because Iguanodon has only been found in early Cretaceous rocks before. What process did I use to determine the age of the rocks? radiometric dating chronostratigraphic correlation lithostratigraphic correlation biostratigraphic correlation

biostratigraphic correlation

Related to same map as in Question 1. Study the diagram below (from your textbook) and consider the following statements. Which of these statements is TRUE? i. The evolution of divergent plate boundaries, as shown in the diagram, implies that at some point millions of years in the future, the modern day African rift valley will be a mature ocean ii. The evolution of divergent plate boundaries, as shown in the diagram, implies that at some point millions of years in the past, the modern day Atlantic Ocean was a rift valley statement ii is true neither statement is true statement i is true both statements are true

both statements are true

Organic life on planet earth emerged under what conditions? a. In terrestrial saline ponds . b. In the shallow sea using lightning for energy. c. On geothermal vents in the deep sea. d. On geothermal vents in the shallow sea.

c. On geothermal vents in the deep sea.

Earth has concentric layers stratified by density. Which is the correct sequence from the internal reference point? a. mantle, core, crust, ocean b. core, crust, mantle, ocean c. mantle, crust, ocean, atmosphere d. mantle, core, crust, atmosphere

c. mantle, crust, ocean, atmosphere

In the picture below, you can see a good example of rocks that are folded as a result of pressure. It looks like they got crumpled up as a result of a collision. Not all folded rocks are as beautiful as this one, but Connecticut's bedrock is comprised for about 75% of highly foliated and folded metamorphic rocks, such as Gneiss and Schist. Since folded and foliated rocks are especially common when pressure is high, at what type of plate tectonic setting do you expect them to form? divergent plate boundaries far away from any type of tectonic plate boundaries convergent plate boundaries transform plate boundaries

convergent plate boundaries

Another important part of Earth Systems Science, that we will discuss in more detail later on in the course, is the Rock Cycle. This Earth Systems process has five major reservoirs: magma (residing in the Earth's mantle), Igneous rocks, Metamorphic rocks, Sedimentary rocks and Sediment. See the diagram below. Fluxes between rock reservoirs are here illustrated with green arrows and cartoons of what is happening to the rocks. For example, what needs to happen to material emerging from the Earth's mantle to become an igneous rock? cool down compacting & cementing subjected to heat & pressure melting

cool down

Which of the following is NOT one of the "Geologist's Tools"? a. Map for documenting the local distribution of rocks and minerals b. Compass for measuring the orientation of geologic features c. Magnifying lens for looking at mineralogical details d. A barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure

d. A barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure

The "faint young sun problem" is about the balance between which two factors? a. solar luminosity and earth's tilt b. a change from helium to hydrogen synthesis through time c. a change from hydrogen to helium synthesis through time d. a weaker early greenhouse effect and a stronger early sun e. solar luminosity and a stronger early greenhouse effect

e. solar luminosity and a stronger early greenhouse effect

Study the diagram below. This diagram shows a schematic cross section of Earth's crust and what happens when an Earthquake occurs. Fill in the blanks: An Earthquake at the Earth's surface is strongest at the _______, which is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the ______; the point within the Earth's crust along a _______ where the seismic energy is coming from. epicenter, hypocenter, fault plane hypocenter, epicenter, fault plane epicenter, fault plane, hypocenter fault plane, hypocenter, epicenter

epicenter, hypocenter, fault plane

Mount Hood is an active volcano in Oregon, part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc. Its last eruption was in 1866. Based on its location (look again at the map in Question 1) what type of Melting and what plate tectonic setting leads to the formation of the Mount Hood volcano? decompression melting at a continental rift valley heat-induced melting at a hot-spot flux melting at a subduction zone decompression melting at a mid-oceanic ridg

flux melting at a subduction zone

Kīlauea is an active volcano in Hawaii, part of the Hawaiian island chain. Its eruption is ongoing. Based on its location (look again at the map in Question 1) what type of Melting and what plate tectonic setting leads to the formation of the Kīlauea volcano? heat-induced melting at a hot-spot decompression melting at a continental rift valley flux melting at a subduction zone decompression melting at a mid-oceanic ridge

heat-induced melting at a hot-spot

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure below. This figure depicts the Hydrological Cycle. Here, fluxes are referred to as "transfers" and note that the unit is 10 the power of 15 kilograms. After oceans, what is the largest reservoir of water? In other words, what is the largest reservoir of freshwater? groundwater lakes and rivers ice and snow the atmosphere

ice and snow

Related to same map as in Question 1. You may have heard in the news of the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga in January 2022, and the resulting ashfall and tsunami. At what type of plate tectonic setting did this volcano form and this eruption occur? intraplate hot-spot (not at a tectonic plate boundary) mid-oceanic ridge (two oceanic plates moving apart) island arc subduction zone (two oceanic plates colliding) oceanic - continental plate subduction zone (an oceanic plate colliding with a continental plate)

island arc subduction zone (two oceanic plates colliding)

Below you see a graph that indicates summer temperature anomalies over the last 7,000 years in Siberia, reconstructed from tree rings. What is a summer temperature anomaly? it is the amount that the yearly summer temperature measurements deviated from the mean summer temperature it indicates the mean summer temperature it is the amount that the summer temperature measurements deviated from the mean annual temperature it shows when summer temperature was anomalously warm

it is the amount that the yearly summer temperature measurements deviated from the mean summer temperature

This question refers to the diagram in Question 10. When rocks of any kind get buried very deeply, the pressure of the rocks above can start to change their nature. In addition, plate tectonics can cause rocks to be subjected to pressure from horizontal forces, as well as the pressure that comes from getting buried very deeply. In addition, the high pressure and being deeper inside the Earth will increase the temperature of the rocks. Not to the point where they melt, but where they become more malleable. Subjecting rocks to these kinds of heat & pressure forms what kind of rock? igneous rocks sedimentary rocks metamorphic rocks sediments

metamorphic rocks

Use the diagrams in Question 2, 6 and 10 to answer this question. Finally, an important point is that the cycles that we looked at in this quiz (the Carbon, Hydrological and Rock cycle) in addition to cycles that we didn't look at, such as the Oxygen and Nitrogen cycles, are all connected. For example, consider what happens if there is a change in the Hydrological Cycle that causes more rainfall on land. What would happen to the Rock and Carbon cycles as a result of this? more rainfall means more weathering & erosion, leading to more atmospheric Carbon and less sediments more rainfall means more weathering & erosion, leading to less atmospheric Carbon and more sediments more rainfall means more weathering & erosion, leading to more atmospheric Carbon and more sediments more rainfall means more weathering & erosion, leading to less atmospheric Carbon and less sediments

more rainfall means more weathering & erosion, leading to less atmospheric Carbon and more sediments

This question relates to the figure in Question 10. How much larger was the highest discharge of the year, compared to the lowest discharge of the year? more than 2 times larger more than 10 times larger more than 100 times larger more than 200 times larger

more than 10 times larger

This question relates to the figure in Question 8. The _____ of the Connecticut River is in Long Island Sound, where the volume of water (discharge) flowing in the river is the _______. mouth, smallest mouth, largest tributary, largest tributary, smallest

mouth, largest

This question relates to the Video of Question 1. The maker of the animation in the video is from the University of Chicago, which is why Chicago is indicated with a red dot. Try to follow Connecticut on the map. Until when was Connecticut in the Southern Hemisphere? the Permian period the Devonian period the Ordovician period the Cretaceous period

the Permian period

Study the map below. What Biogeographic region has the highest vascular plant diversity? the Southern Hemisphere Deserts & Polar regions the Subtropics the Tropics

the Tropics

Closure of the Isthmus of Panama led to ________. the formation of the Gulf Stream the elimination of the Gulf Stream the formation of a deep oceanic trench the formation of high mountains in central America

the formation of the Gulf Stream

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure in Question 2. "Residence time" refers to the amount of time a component of a system that can move between reservoirs stays within a single reservoir (on average). For example, the average residence time of a carbon atom in the lithosphere, or the hydrosphere. The average residence time can be calculated by dividing the reservoir size by the total flux out of the reservoir. (this divides volume by volume over time, resulting in an amount with unit time) Based on that, which of the Carbon reservoirs in the figure in Question two do you think carbon resides the SHORTEST amount of time in? vegetation, soil and detritus (the biosphere) the surface ocean, deep ocean and marine biota together (hydrosphere) the atmosphere

the atmosphere

Have a look again at the video from the previous Quiz that shows "the dance of the continents". Pay particular attention what happens between 230 and 66 million years ago. Between 230 and 66 million years ago is when non-Avian Dinosaurs existed on Earth. Which of the following statements is TRUE? the continents gradually came together during the time of the Dinosaurs and as a result, Dinosaur populations were more connected during the Cretaceous than during the Triassic the continents gradually broke up during the time of the Dinosaurs and as a result, Dinosaur populations were more isolated during the Cretaceous than during the Triassic the continents gradually broke up during the time of the Dinosaurs and as a result, Dinosaur populations were more connected during the Cretaceous than during the Triassic the continents gradually came together during the time of the Dinosaurs and as a result, Dinosaur populations were more isolated during the Cretaceous than during the Triassic

the continents gradually broke up during the time of the Dinosaurs and as a result, Dinosaur populations were more isolated during the Cretaceous than during the Triassic

Scientists debate the reasons for the sudden appearance of modern-day animal diversity during the Cambrian as a result of the Cambrian Explosion. What are some of the reasons that scientists debate, according to the Textbook? (select all that apply) historically, scientists haven't been that interested in the fossils of the late Proterozoic, therefore there's just a lot more known about the Cambrian the evolution of hard parts (like a skeleton) at the beginning of the Cambrian makes it look like the sudden appearance of animal diversity, but really, that diversity existed in the late Proterozoic, but because they didn't have a skeleton, they were much less likely to get preserved as a fossil rapid evolutionary diversification following the glaciations of the late Proterozoic because the Cambrian is more recent than the late Proterozoic, it makes sense that there are more rocks and therefore more fossils of that time

the evolution of hard parts (like a skeleton) at the beginning of the Cambrian makes it look like the sudden appearance of animal diversity, but really, that diversity existed in the late Proterozoic, but because they didn't have a skeleton, they were much less likely to get preserved as a fossil rapid evolutionary diversification following the glaciations of the late Proterozoic because the Cambrian is more recent than the late Proterozoic, it makes sense that there are more rocks and therefore more fossils of that time

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure in Question 2. Which Carbon fluxes have increased the most due to Anthropogenic activity? the fluxes between the biosphere and the atmosphere the fluxes between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere the fluxes between the biosphere and the hydrosphere

the fluxes between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere

What is the main reason that arthropods could grow to giant sizes during the Carboniferous? See for example the size of a reconstruction of the millipede relative Arthropleura below. the evolution of the amniotic egg the highest atmospheric Carbon Dioxide levels in Earth's history the highest atmospheric Oxygen levels in Earth's history extensive glaciation

the highest atmospheric Oxygen levels in Earth's history

Watch the Video on the Earth System and study the figure below. This diagram shows Earth's Carbon Cycle and has numerical values associated with Carbon reservoirs and Carbon fluxes. Reservoirs (indicated by boxes) represent places where Carbon is stored and Fluxes (indicated by arrows) represent exchanges between those reservoirs in Gt C per year (Gigatons of Carbon per year). Which of the following is the largest Carbon reservoir (we're excluding the Earth's crust here). vegetation, soil and detritus the atmosphere fossil fuels the oceans

the oceans

What best describes the law of superposition, first proposed by the 17th century Danish scientist Nicolas Steno? we can interpret rocks deposited in the past based on processes that operate in the present. most rocks are formed during exceptionally catastrophic periods in Earth's history. sedimentary rocks are formed by deposition from transportation mechanisms such as water and wind. the oldest rocks are at the bottom of a geologic sequence, and rocks get younger as you move up a geologic sequence.

the oldest rocks are at the bottom of a geologic sequence, and rocks get younger as you move up a geologic sequence.

This question refers to the image in the previous two questions. Another big mass extinction in Earth's history happened at the end of the Devonian period, about 360 million years ago. According to the graph, what was global climate doing around that time? global climate was uniformly cool at this time transitioning from a cool to a warm global climate global climate was uniformly warm at this time transitioning from a warm to a cool global climate

transitioning from a warm to a cool global climate

True or false: with the extinction of the Dinosaurs and other organisms, ecological niche space opened up at the beginning of the Cenozoic era, which was for a large part filled by mammals.

true

Match the following landforms with the environment they typically form in.

u-shaped valley - glacier moraine - glacier drumlin - glacier yardang - desert alluvial fan - desert playa - desert

Study the diagram below. In certain periods of Earth's history, continental configuration was such that a lot of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) reacted with weathering rocks and then got stored in ocean sediments. As a result, the planet would get a lot cooler, as a lot of Greenhouse gases would be removed from the atmosphere and stored in rocks. According to the diagram below, how does "Earth's Thermostat" keep the Earth from plunging into a permanent icehouse? under cooler conditions, less evaporation happens, leading to more rain, leading to more weathering, leading to more carbon dioxide getting stored in rocks, and the Earth cools as a result under cooler conditions, less evaporation happens, leading to less rain, leading to more weathering, leading to more carbon dioxide getting stored in rocks, and the Earth warms as a result under cooler conditions, more evaporation happens, leading to less rain, leading to more weathering, leading to less carbon dioxide getting stored in rocks, and the Earth cools as a result under cooler conditions, less evaporation happens, leading to less rain, leading to less weathering, leading to less carbon dioxide getting stored in rocks, and the Earth warms as a result

under cooler conditions, less evaporation happens, leading to less rain, leading to less weathering, leading to less carbon dioxide getting stored in rocks, and the Earth warms as a result