Geology

Which of the following best describes Earth's system?

The Earth system has a nearly endless array of interconnected subsystems.

The gently sloping platform that extends seaward from shore, found along most coasts, is called ______________________.

The continental shelf

The geologic Time Scale represents ________________.

The entire 4.6 billion-year history of Earth.

According to the rock cycle which of the following statements is true?

Any rock type can ultimately be turned into any other rock type

Which of the following bets describes the fundamental concept of superposition?

Any sedimentary deposit accumulates on older rock or sediment layers

_________________ was the highly influential, ancient Greek philosopher noted for his writings and teachings on natural philosophy and on the workings of the Earth.

Aristotle

All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation EXCEPT for________________.

Assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation.

The ___________ is not part of the Earth's physical environment.

Astrosphere

_______________, a popular natural philosophy of the 17th and 18th centuries, was based on a firm belief in a very short geologic history of Earth.

Catastrophism

In sedimentary rocks, lithification includes______________.

Compaction and cementation

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Craton

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Crust

The ____________ is the thinnest layer of the Earth.

Crust

Which of the following is an Earth layer defined based on its chemical composition?

Crust

Which of the following choices best illustrates the proper order of the steps in a scientific investigation?

Develop observations, conduct background research, etc.

What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical geology?

Historical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and geologic events, utilizing the geologic time scale as a reference; physical geology includes the study of how rocks for and how erosion shapes the land surface.

Which of the following cycles moves water among Earth's 4 spheres?

Hydrologic cycle

_____________ Rocks form by crystallization and consolidation of molten magma.

Igneous

The _____________________ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior.

Outer Core

The ______________ division of the geologic time scale makes up over 88% of geologic time.

Precambrian

_______________ rocks always originate at the surface of the solid Earth.

Sedimentary

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Sedimentary rocks may weather to igneous rocks

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Shield

The composition of the core of Earth is thought to be ________.

Solid iron- nickel alloy

Most of our knowledge about Earth's interior comes from ________.

The study of seismic waves

A ________ is a well tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations.

Theory

Which of the following is true of Earths continents?

They are relatively flat and have an average elevation that is quite close to sea level

Compared to the age of Earth accepted as correct today, how did 17th and 18th century proponents of catastrophism envision the Earth's age?

They believed Earth to be much younger than current estimates.

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Transpiration

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Trench

____________ is often paraphrased as "the present is the key to the past"

Uniformitarianism

_______________ is the process by which rocks break down in place to produce soils and sediments.

Weathering

The currently accepted age of Earths is ____________ years.

4.6 billion

Active mountain belts are most likely to be found ________.

Along the margins of continents

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Biosphere

The _______________ refers to the sum total of all life on Earth.

Biosphere

In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes what units?

Inner core, Outer core, Mantle, Crust

The asthenosphere __________________.

Is a relatively weak zone within the mantle

_________________ was an important 18th century English Geologist and proponent of uniformitarianism.

James Hutton

The continental shelf is located ____________________.

Landward of the continental slope

The ____________ forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics.

Lithosphere

The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ___________ of the earth.

Mantle

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Metamorphism

The __________ proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same time from a rotating cloud of gases and dust.

Nebular Theory

Examine the words and/or phrases below and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the option that does not fit the pattern.

Neptune

The most prominent feature on the ocean floor are the ________________.

Ocean Ridges