Geology Final

At a subduction zone, what is the cause(s) of melting? (Select all that apply.) Addition of water Heating Decompression

Addition of water Heating

Quartz is composed of a 3D framework of silicate tetrahedra, with no other elements included. How many directions of cleavage would you expect quartz to have? 3 0 1 2

0

There have been 136 earthquakes in the magnitude range 4.0-5.0 in the San Francisco area over the past 30 years. What is the Mean Recurrence Interval of earthquakes in this magnitude range? 4.53 years 30 years 100 years 0.22 years

0.22 years

Approximately, what is the one year probability of an earthquake in the magnitude range 7.0-7.9 occurring in the Los Angeles area? 0.07% 0.7% 70% 7%

0.7%

Rank these elements in order of their abundance in Earth's continental crust? (1 is most abundant, 5 is least abundant) oxygen silicon aluminum iron calcium

1 oxygen 2 silicon 3 aluminum 4 iron 5 calcium

Approximately what percentage of the water on Earth is liquid, fresh water? 30% 5% 20% 1%

1%

What is the discharge of river that is 50 ft wide and 5 ft deep and flowing with a velocity of 4 ft/s?

1,000

If a metal ore has an average ore grade of 4%, how many pounds of ore must be mined in order to obtain 50 pounds of that metal?

1,250

Approximately, what do you estimate that the mean recurrence interval (MRI) in years would be for earthquakes within the magnitude range 8.0-8.9 in the Los Angeles area? 1,500 years 15,000 years 150 years 15 years

1,500 years

Approximately how far would a tectonic plate travel in an average human lifetime? 10-100 meters 100-1000 meters 1-10 meters

1-10 meters

Questions #10-17 involve the calculation of earthquake recurrence intervals and probabilities for the Los Angeles area. Please use this table to answering these questions, using the procedures you learned in class focusing on the San Francisco area. What is the mean recurrence interval (MRI) in years for earthquakes within the magnitude range 5.0-5.9?

1.2

Potassium-40 is radioactive and decays into Argon-40. The half-life of Potassium-40 is 1.3 billion years. You measure the # of atoms of each isotope in a rock and find 250 atoms of Potassium-40 and 250 atoms of Argon-40. How old is this rock? Give your answer in billions of years.

1.3

If we estimate that the Mean Recurrence Interval of earthquakes in the 8.0-9.0 magnitude range in the San Francisco area is 2000 years, what is the probability of an earthquake in that magnitude range occurring in the next 30 years? 1.5% 99.95% 98.5% 0.05%

1.5%

What is the one year probability of an earthquake in the magnitude range 4.0-4.9 occurring in the Los Angeles area? Give your answer as a %.

100

After 3 half-lives, what percentage of the original parent isotopes would still be present? 50% 25% 12.5% 75%

12.5%

Investigate the recent earthquake near Magna, Utah: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu60363602/executive How many people were estimated to have experience very strong shaking (Intensity VII) according to the PAGER model? 599,000 0 1,270,000 139,000

139,000

What is the probability of an earthquake in the magnitude range 6.0-6.9 occurring in the Los Angeles area in the next 30 years? Give your answer as a %.

87.5%

When did Earth's current warming trend begin? 1,000 years ago because of deforestation 20,000 years ago because of changes in Earth's orbit 150 years ago because of fossil fuel use during the Industrial Revolution 6,000 years ago because of changes in Earth's orbit

150 years ago because of fossil fuel use during the Industrial Revolution

Approximately, what is the probability of an earthquake in the magnitude range 7.0-7.9 occurring in the Los Angeles area in the next 30 years? 2% 82% 99% 18% 67%

18%

During what decade were many of the first U.S. federal regulations in the interest of protecting human health and the environment enacted? 1970's 1990's 1950's 1920's

1970's

How many directions of cleavage would you expect a silicate mineral that forms single chains of silicate tetrahedra to have? 1 2 3 0

2

Approximately, what is the probability of an earthquake in the magnitude range 8.0-8.9 occurring in the Los Angeles area in the next 30 years? 99.9% 20% 67% 2% 98%

2%

What do you estimate that the mean recurrence interval (MRI) in years would be for earthquakes within the magnitude range 7.0-7.9 in the Los Angeles area? Correct!

200 (Answers accepted between 60 and 300)

If a rock starts off with 100 radioactive parent atoms, how many parent atoms will be left after 2 half-lives?

25

Approximately, what percentage of Colorado's electricity is currently generated from renewable energy sources? 100% 2% 25% 50% 75%

25%

Potassium-40 is radioactive and decays into Argon-40. The half-life of Potassium-40 is 1.3 billion years. You measure the # of atom of each isotope and find 75 atoms of Potassium-40 and 525 atoms of Argon-40. How many half-lives have passed since the rock formed?

3

If a metal ore has an average ore grade of 3%, how many pounds of ore must be mined in order to obtain 100 pounds of that metal?

3,333

A river has a discharge of 200 cubic meters per second. Its width is 10 meters and its average velocity is 5 meters/second. What is its depth?

4

What is the "business as usual" global temperature increase by 2100 according to the En-ROADS (Links to an external site.) Climate Solutions Simulator? 7.7° C 2.0° C 4.1° C 1.5° C

4.1° C

What is the currently scientifically accepted age of the Earth? 6.75 billion years old 4.54 billion years old 125 thousand years old 542 million years old

4.54 billion years old

The carbon dioxide levels today are around ________. 410 280 500 350

410

If a river has an average width of 10 m, an average depth of 4 m, and is flowing with a velocity of 2 m/s, what is its discharge?

80

Approximately what percentage of the energy used in the United States in 2018 was sourced from fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, coal)? 80% 30% 50% 95%

80%

An iphone has about 0.014 grams of gold in it. How many grams of 15 ppm grade gold ore need to be mined in order to get enough gold for a single iphone?

933

According to a 2004 study published in the prestigious journal of Science, _____ percentage of climate scientists agree that warming is from human activities. 80% 97% 55% 30%

97%

There have been 2 earthquakes in the magnitude range 6.0-7.0 in the San Francisco area over the past 30 years. What is the probability of an earthquake in this magnitude range occurring in the next 50 years? 97% 88% 93% 3%

97%

There have been 7 earthquakes in the magnitude range 5.0-6.0 in the San Francisco area over the past 30 years. What is the probability of an earthquake in this magnitude range occurring in the next 30 years? 77% 99.96% 0.039% 23%

99.96%

Which of the following settings would be most vulnerable to mass movements? A steep mountain covered in a thick layer of sediment A steep mountain composed of unfractured granite A gentle slope with lots of vegetation

A steep mountain covered in a thick layer of sediment

Which of these best describes a 100-year flood? A 100-year flood has a 1 in 100 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any year A 100-year flood can only occur once every 100 years. A 100-year flood represents the largest flood in the last 100 years

A 100-year flood has a 1 in 100 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any year

What is a lahar? Small particles of volcanic rock emitted into the atmosphere A very hot (several 100°C) mixture of gases and volcanic tephra that flows rapidly (up to 100s of km/h) down the side of a volcano Vertical fall of tephra in the area surrounding an eruption A flow of mud and debris down a channel leading away from a volcano

A flow of mud and debris down a channel leading away from a volcano

If ore grades (the concentration of the metal within the ore) have decreased toward more recent times, yet production of the metal has increased, then what are the implications for the amount of ore that must be mined to allow production of the metal to stay the same or to increase? Less ore needs to be mined. The ore grade does not affect the amount of ore that needs to be mined. A greater amount of ore must be mined.

A greater amount of ore must be mined.

Which of these is the best description of a paleoclimate proxy? A mechanism that causes climate to change A compilation of temperature records from around the world A substitute or stand-in for temperature A measurement taken by a thermometer

A substitute or stand-in for temperature

What is a pyroclastic density current or pyroclastic flow? A flow of mud and debris down a channel leading away from a volcano A very hot (several 100°C) mixture of gases and volcanic tephra that flows rapidly (up to 100s of km/h) down the side of a volcano Small particles of volcanic rock emitted into the atmosphere The emission of gases before, during, and after an eruption

A very hot (several 100°C) mixture of gases and volcanic tephra that flows rapidly (up to 100s of km/h) down the side of a volcano

What percentage of freshwater is groundwater? About 0.04% About 1.69% About 68.7% About 30.1%

About 30.1%

Which represents the longest interval of geological time? An Eon An Era An Epoch

An Eon

For earthquakes of the same magnitude, which of these would you expect to cause greater damage? An earthquake with a shallower epicenter An earthquake with a deeper epicenter

An earthquake with a shallower epicenter

stress is the force exerted per unit area and strain is the physical change that results in response to that force. Answer 1:stress Answer 2:strain

Answer 1:stress Answer 2:strain

Which type of coal has the highest carbon content? Anthracite Bituminous Lignite Sub-bituminous

Anthracite

In silicate minerals, cleavage planes often occur ______________. At strong bonds between silica tetrahedra and other elements At weak bonds between the silica tetrahedra and other elements At weak bonds between two silica tetrahedra At strong bonds between two silica tetrahedra

At weak bonds between the silica tetrahedra and other elements

Where are volcanoes located in association with a convergent boundary? Behind the trench on the overriding plate In front of the trench on the descending plate

Behind the trench on the overriding plate

______________ the water table, all of the pore spaces are saturated with water. Below Above

Below

How do scientists know what CO2 levels were prior to direct measurements of the atmosphere? By measuring air bubbles trapped in ice sheets From human measurements, which have only been available since the 18th century By measuring plant pollen By measuring old seawater at the bottom of the ocean

By measuring air bubbles trapped in ice sheets

What are the two primary sources of water for the City of Fort Collins? Dakota-Cheyenne Aquifer Cache la Poudre River Horsetooth Reservoir South Platte Alluvial Aquifer

Cache la Poudre River Horsetooth Reservoir

Which of these countries supplies the majority of the world's rare earth elements? China United States Australia South Africa Brazil

China

Which statement is most accurate? Coal, oil and gas all form from the decayed vegetation. Coal, oil and gas all form from the decayed remains of microscopic marine organisms. Coal forms from decayed vegetation and oil and gas from microscopic marine organisms Coal forms from microscopic marine organisms and oil and gas from decayed vegetation.

Coal forms from decayed vegetation and oil and gas from microscopic marine organisms

Which of these could cause the designation of the 100-year flood for a river to change? (select all that apply) Collection of more data Installation of flood controls Urban development

Collection of more data Installation of flood controls Urban development

At a subduction zone, which type of volcano would you expect to find? Broad shield volcano Cone-shaped composite volcano

Cone-shaped composite volcano

Which of type of volcano would you expect to find in Japan? Broad, low-slope shield volcano Cone-shaped composite volcano

Cone-shaped composite volcano

______________ metamorphism takes place where a body of magma intrudes into the upper part of the crust. Contact Regional

Contact

Match the descriptions below with the correct term defining the igneous rock composition. Contains a predominance of the light-colored (felsic) minerals feldspar and silica in the form of quartz. Rich in silica (in the 65-75% range, meaning the rock would be 65-75% weight percent SiO2) and poor in iron and magnesium. Usually contains roughly-equal amounts of light and dark minerals, including light grains of plagioclase feldspar and dark minerals like amphibole. Contains silica in the 55-60% range. Contains a abundance of ferromagnesian minerals (with magnesium and iron, chemical symbols Mg and Fe) plus plagioclase feldspar. It is mostly made of dark minerals like pyroxene and olivine, which are rich in iron and magnesium and relatively poor in silica. Silica in the 45-50% range. Rocks composed of mostly olivine and some pyroxene which have even more magnesium and iron and even less silica. These rocks are rare on the surface, but make up peridotite, the rock of the upper mantle. It is poor in silica, in the 40% or less range.

Contains a predominance of the light-colored (felsic) minerals feldspar and silica in the form of quartz. Rich in silica (in the 65-75% range, meaning the rock would be 65-75% weight percent SiO2) and poor in iron and magnesium. felsic Usually contains roughly-equal amounts of light and dark minerals, including light grains of plagioclase feldspar and dark minerals like amphibole. Contains silica in the 55-60% range. intermediate Contains a abundance of ferromagnesian minerals (with magnesium and iron, chemical symbols Mg and Fe) plus plagioclase feldspar. It is mostly made of dark minerals like pyroxene and olivine, which are rich in iron and magnesium and relatively poor in silica. Silica in the 45-50% range. mafic Rocks composed of mostly olivine and some pyroxene which have even more magnesium and iron and even less silica. These rocks are rare on the surface, but make up peridotite, the rock of the upper mantle. It is poor in silica, in the 40% or less range. ultra-mafic

Match the description of igneous rock texture to the correct term. Coursely crystalline, individual crystals are readily visible to the unaided eye Finely crystalline, individual crystals are too small to see with the unaided eye A mix of coarse crystals surrounded by a matrix of finely crystalline material Very large crystals (centimeters or larger)

Coursely crystalline, individual crystals are readily visible to the unaided eye phaneritic Finely crystalline, individual crystals are too small to see with the unaided eye aphanitic A mix of coarse crystals surrounded by a matrix of finely crystalline material porphyritic Very large crystals (centimeters or larger) pegmatitic

Explore this Geologic Timeline created by PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/change/deeptime/ Or this one from UC Berkeley: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.php (Links to an external site.) At the end of which of these time intervals did the non-avian dinosaurs go extinct? Ordovician Triassic Pleistocene Permian Cretaceous

Cretaceous

What do tilt meters measure? The number and frequency of earthquakes under the volcano. Changes in the amount of gases that are coming out of the volcano Deformation of the surface of the volcano

Deformation of the surface of the volcano

Put the events listed below in the order they must have occurred to explain the features that we see at Siccar Point from first (1) to last (5) Deposition of the reddish sandstone Deposition of the muddy gray sandstone Erosion down into the muddy gray sandstone Tilting and uplift of both the muddy gray sandstone and the reddish sandstone Folding and uplift of the muddy gray sandstone

Deposition of the reddish sandstone 4 Deposition of the muddy gray sandstone 1 Erosion down into the muddy gray sandstone 3 Tilting and uplift of both the muddy gray sandstone and the reddish sandstone 5 Folding and uplift of the muddy gray sandstone 2

Match the plate boundary type below with the correct type of stress. Divergent Convergent Transform

Divergent tensional Convergent compressional Transform shear

Which best explains how sunlight can easily pass through the atmosphere, but heat energy radiated from the Earth's surface has a harder time escaping the atmosphere? Sunlight moves at the speed of light (of course) while heat energy moves slow in comparison. Each unique wavelength of radiation interacts differently with atmospheric gases. The Sun is so much hotter than Earth. Sunlight is mostly visible radiation while heat energy is hot.

Each unique wavelength of radiation interacts differently with atmospheric gases.

How has Earth's average temperature changed over the last 2,000 years? Earth's temperature had been generally decreasing, prior to the recent warming over the past 150 years Earth's temperature has fluctuated up and down about every 100-200 years Earth's temperature has been generally increasing over the past 2,000 years

Earth's temperature had been generally decreasing, prior to the recent warming over the past 150 years

Questions 6-8 will use the geologic map of the Boulder - Fort Collins area. What type of rock/sediment is at the surface covering much of the eastern part of the map (indicated by the abbreviation Qe)? Eolium (windblown clay, silt, sand, and granules) Boulder Creek Granodiorite Post Piney Creek alluvium (dark gray humic, sandy to gravelly alluvium) Slocum alluvium (brown to white cobble and boulder gravel) Pierre Shale

Eolium (windblown clay, silt, sand, and granules)

Match the terms below with the correct definition. Fact, Hypothesis, Scientific Theory A confirmed or agreed-upon empirical observation or conclusion. An educated proposal to explain certain facts; a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. An integrated, comprehensive explanation of many "facts," especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

Fact A confirmed or agreed-upon empirical observation or conclusion. Hypothesis An educated proposal to explain certain facts; a tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation. Scientific Theory An integrated, comprehensive explanation of many "facts," especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

Which statement best describes the current state of US energy production and/or consumption? Fossil fuels represent more than 80% of US energy consumption and the US is the world's largest oil producer. Most petroleum (oil) in the US is used for generating electricity and we import most of our oil from the Middle East. Petroleum (oil) and natural gas account for nearly a third of total energy used in the US and the rest of our energy comes from renewable energy sources. Fossil fuels account for nearly a third of total energy used in the US and most of these fuels are used to generate electricity.

Fossil fuels represent more than 80% of US energy consumption and the US is the world's largest oil producer.

Which of these regions of the world is expected to have the greatest increase in temperature by the end of the century according to climate models? Southern Hemisphere tropics Pacific Ocean High latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere Antarctica

High latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere

Where is most fresh water on Earth held? Ice sheets and glaciers Groundwater Rivers and Lakes

Ice sheets and glaciers

Which of these are potential responses by consumers and manufacturers in the United States if China decided to restrict the export of rare earth elements (REE) to the United States as a part of the ongoing trade war? (Select all that apply.) Increase the use of recycled REE Seek alternative sources of REE. Seek alternative minerals or products.

Increase the use of recycled REE Seek alternative sources of REE. Seek alternative minerals or products.

Approximately, how has Earth's average temperature changed since 1850? Increased by about 1 degree C Decreased by 3 degrees C Increased by 3 degrees C Decreased by about 1 degree C No change

Increased by about 1 degree C

Which of these measurements will vary for a given earthquake depending on how far away from the epicenter you are Intensity Magnitude

Intensity

Thinking about the water cycle, what can happen to water after falling to Earth as precipitation? (choose all that apply) It sinks It infiltrates It becomes lithified It evaporates It runs off

It infiltrates It evaporates It runs off

Explore the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator. Which of these statements best describes the solutions necessary to keep global temperatures from increasing more than 2° C by the end of the century? It is too late to limit global warming to less than 2°C It is possible to limit global warming to less than 2°C, but it will require large changes across many areas of society Only minor changes to our energy sources are required to limit global warming to less than 2°C

It is possible to limit global warming to less than 2°C, but it will require large changes across many areas of society

Match the mineral class with some common uses of minerals in that class. Jewelry, coins, industry Lime, Portland cement Ores of iron & aluminum, pigments Table salt, fertilizer Ores of lead, copper, mercury Sheetrock, therapeutic soak Fertilizer, teeth, bones

Jewelry, coins, industry native elements Lime, Portland cement carbonates Ores of iron & aluminum, pigments oxides Table salt, fertilizer halides Ores of lead, copper, mercury sulfides Sheetrock, therapeutic soak sulfates Fertilizer, teeth, bones phosphates

Which of these seismic waves only travel along Earth's surface? (select all that apply) S-waves Love waves Rayleigh waves P-waves

Love waves Rayleigh waves

What materials were used to determine the age of the Earth? Rock samples from the outer core Zircons from Australia Meteorites Gneisses from the continental shields Samples of the oceanic crust from the Northwest Pacific sea floor

Meteorites

Climate has changed in the past. What has caused the series of major climate fluctuations on thousand year time scales of the last 5 million years? Milankovitch cycles Human invasion of other continents and prairie burning The opening of the Drake Passage separating South America from Antarctica Snowball Earth hypothesis The closure of the Isthmus of Panama

Milankovitch cycles

Which list of materials is in order from lowest viscosity to highest viscosity? Olive oil, mayonnaise, ketchup, water Milk, olive oil, honey, peanut butter Water, honey, peanut butter, mayonnaise Gasoline, ketchup, mayonnaise, olive oil

Milk, olive oil, honey, peanut butter

If the price of a mineral resource increases, which of these would you expect to occur? (choose all that apply) Mining may increase to increase the mineral supply Consumers or product makers may seek a substitute mineral or product Mining may decrease reducing the mineral supply Consumer demand for the mineral resource may increase Consumer demand for the mineral resource may decrease

Mining may increase to increase the mineral supply Consumers or product makers may seek a substitute mineral or product Consumer demand for the mineral resource may decrease

Which of these elements are considered Critical Materials in the Medium Term (2015-2025) by the U.S. Department of Energy? (select all that apply) Neodymium Dysprosium Europium Yttrium Terbium Samarium Nickel Indium

Neodymium Dysprosium Europium Yttrium Terbium

Which of the following factors would cause the cut-off grade of a mineral resource to fall? (Choose all that apply.) New beneficiation technologies Rising energy costs Increased market price of the metal Better (more equitable) labor agreements More stringent environmental regulations

New beneficiation technologies Increased market price of the metal

Match the soil horizon with its description. the layer of organic matter the layer of partially decayed organic matter mixed with mineral material the eluviated (leached) layer from which some of the clay and iron have been removed to create a pale layer that may be sandier than the other layers the layer of accumulation of clay, iron, and other elements from the overlying soil the layer of incomplete weathering

O the layer of organic matter A the layer of partially decayed organic matter mixed with mineral material E the eluviated (leached) layer from which some of the clay and iron have been removed to create a pale layer that may be sandier than the other layers B the layer of accumulation of clay, iron, and other elements from the overlying soil C the layer of incomplete weathering

Which oxygen isotope, used in paleoclimatology, would be more easily evaporated and thus more concentrated in glacial ice? O-16 O-17 O-18

O-16

At which type(s) of plate boundaries are you likely to have volcanoes? (Select all that apply.) Continental Collision Ocean-Continent Convergent Ocean-Ocean Convergent Ocean-Ocean Divergent Transform

Ocean-Continent Convergent Ocean-Ocean Convergent Ocean-Ocean Divergent

Which statement best describes recent trends in US coal and oil production? Oil production has increased and coal production has increased. Oil production has decreased and coal production has decreased. Oil production has increased and coal production has decreased. Oil production has decreased and coal production has increased.

Oil production has increased and coal production has decreased.

Which statement best describes recent trends in US coal and oil production? Oil production has increased and coal production has increased. Oil production has decreased and coal production has increased. Oil production has increased and coal production has decreased. Oil production has decreased and coal production has decreased.

Oil production has increased and coal production has decreased.

Which of the following are potential reasons why ores grades of a mineral resource may trend toward lower grade ores in more recent times? (Choose all that apply.) Once a mine gets established, it doesn't want to leave (and it is more expensive to set up a new mine), so it continues on to the lower grade ores after going after the higher grade deposits. Machinery and methods and large-scale mining methods have improved to allow for less expensive production and thus the ability to use the lower grade ores Ore grades in a mineral deposit tend to degade over time. Many of the best deposits have already been exploited and thus often we only find/use lower grade ores. You Answered Demand for mineral resources tends to decrease over time; decreasing the price/value of the mineral resource.

Once a mine gets established, it doesn't want to leave (and it is more expensive to set up a new mine), so it continues on to the lower grade ores after going after the higher grade deposits. Machinery and methods and large-scale mining methods have improved to allow for less expensive production and thus the ability to use the lower grade ores Ore grades in a mineral deposit tend to degade over time. Many of the best deposits have already been exploited and thus often we only find/use lower grade ores.

Sandstones are commonly made up of quartz sand grains. Why is quartz the most common mineral found in sandstones? (Select all that apply.) Other minerals, such as feldspars, will break down to clays Quartz is very soft and breaks down easily Quartz is chemically resistant to weathering

Other minerals, such as feldspars, will break down to clays Quartz is chemically resistant to weathering

Match the physical layers of the Earth with the correct description. Correct!Outermost physical layer of the Earth. It is broken into segments called plates. Correct!It is mechanically weak, this layer moves and flows due to convection currents created by heat coming from the earth's core Correct!More rigid and immobile than the asthenosphere. Located at a depth of approximately 410 and 660 km below the earth's surface. Correct!The only entirely liquid layer within the Earth. Scientists believe the earth's magnetic field is generated by the circulation of molten iron and nickel within it. Correct!Hottest part of the Earth. Solid.

Outermost physical layer of the Earth. It is broken into segments called plates. Lithosphere It is mechanically weak, this layer moves and flows due to convection currents created by heat coming from the earth's core Asthenosphere More rigid and immobile than the asthenosphere. Located at a depth of approximately 410 and 660 km below the earth's surface. Mesosphere The only entirely liquid layer within the Earth. Scientists believe the earth's magnetic field is generated by the circulation of molten iron and nickel within it. Outer Core Hottest part of the Earth. Solid. Inner Core

Indicate the order in which these seismic waves would arrive at a seismic station following an earthquake.(first,second,third) P-waves S-waves Surface waves

P-waves first S-waves second Surface waves third

______________ describes how well connected the pore spaces in a rock or sediment are. Permeability Porosity Hydraulic gradient Discharge

Permeability

Explore this Geologic Timeline created by PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/change/deeptime/ Or this one from UC Berkeley: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.php (Links to an external site.) The most severe mass extinction in Earth's history occurred at the end of which of these time periods? Eocene Permian Ordovician Triassic Cretaceous

Permian

The rock/sediment type indicated by the abbreviation Kpl is shale layer that is a member (part) of which formation? Laramie Formation Pierre Shale Niobrara Formation Carlisle Shale

Pierre Shale

Explore this Geologic Timeline created by PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/change/deeptime/ (Links to an external site.) Or this one from UC Berkeley: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.php (Links to an external site.) During which of these time intervals did modern humans appear? Eocene Miocene Pleistocene Pliocene Cretaceous

Pleistocene

Which of these is considered the biggest hurdle in the path of REE production? Processing REE ore Finding REE deposits Mining REE deposits from the Earth

Processing REE ore

Sandstones are commonly made up of quartz sand grains. Why is quartz the most common mineral found in sandstones? (Select all that apply.) Quartz is very soft and breaks down easily Quartz is chemically resistant to weathering Other minerals, such as feldspars, will break down to clays

Quartz is chemically resistant to weathering Other minerals, such as feldspars, will break down to clays

Which of these are true statements about rare earth elements (REE)? (select all that apply) REEs have partially filled f electron orbitals REEs are the rarest elements in Earth's crust REEs are elements include the Lanthanide group and Yttrium

REEs have partially filled f electron orbitals REEs are elements include the Lanthanide group and Yttrium

Which type of fault is best matched with the appropriate plate boundary? Normal fault and transform boundary Right-lateral strike-slip fault and transform boundary Left-lateral strike-slip fault and convergent boundary Reverse fault and divergent boundary

Right-lateral strike-slip fault and transform boundary

Which is the best description of an aquifer? The boundary between the saturated zone and the unsaturated zone. Groundwater that flows readily through rocks and sediment below ground. Underground rock or sediment below streams or lakes. Rock or sediment below ground that accommodates the flow and storage of groundwater.

Rock or sediment below ground that accommodates the flow and storage of groundwater.

Which of these statements about water storage within the Fort Collins water supply is most accurate? Storage is necessary to meet demand only in dry years. Storage is necessary to meet demand every year. Fort Collins can meet demand for water using only the flows in the Cache la Poudre River.

Storage is necessary to meet demand every year.

Why are mass movements common after large rainfall events such as the 2013 Front Range Flooding? (select all that apply) The addition of water decreases the resisting forceIncreased water in streams erodes and undercuts hill slopes The addition of water decreases the downslope component of the force of gravity

The addition of water decreases the resisting force Increased water in streams erodes and undercuts hill slopes

What would happen to Earth's albedo during an ice age? The average albedo of Earth's surface would not change. The average albedo of Earth's surface would increase. The average albedo of Earth's surface would decrease

The average albedo of Earth's surface would increase.

Match the chemical layers of the Earth with the correct descriptions. The outermost chemical layer and the one we currently reside on. There are two types: ocean and continental. The largest chemical layer by volume. Scientists hypothesize most of it is made of the rock peridotite. Consists mostly of iron, nickel, and possibly some oxygen

The outermost chemical layer and the one we currently reside on. There are two types: ocean and continental. crust The largest chemical layer by volume. Scientists hypothesize most of it is made of the rock peridotite. mantle Consists mostly of iron, nickel, and possibly some oxygen core

How does the price of a mineral resource usually respond when consumer demand for that mineral increases? The price increases The price does not change The price decreases

The price increases

How does the price of a mineral resource usually respond when the supply of the mineral resource is reduced? The price increases The price decreases The price is unaffected

The price increases

Match the definition on the left with the correct term. The process of concentrating a mineral resource following extraction. A process during which the crushed ore is placed in a rotating drum with steel rods or balls A process during which a rock slurry is mixed with a selected reagent that adds bubbles. The use of chemicals (such as sulfuric acid or sodium cyanide) to dissolve only the desired metals A process to separate a metal from a mineral by heating the mineral

The process of concentrating a mineral resource following extraction. beneficiation A process during which the crushed ore is placed in a rotating drum with steel rods or balls milling A process during which a rock slurry is mixed with a selected reagent that adds bubbles. flotation The use of chemicals (such as sulfuric acid or sodium cyanide) to dissolve only the desired metals leaching A process to separate a metal from a mineral by heating the mineral smelting

Which of the following statements about the half-life of a radioactive isotope is true? The half-life represents the number of atoms that would decay over half the life of the Earth The length of the half-life is the same for all radioactive isotopes The term half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the radioactive parent atoms to decay into daughter atoms

The term half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the radioactive parent atoms to decay into daughter atoms

Match the descriptions below with the correct soil horizon. R horizon, O horizon, A horizon,B horizon,C horizon The top horizon is a thin layer of predominantly organic material, such as leaves, twigs, and other plant parts that are actively decaying into humus - This layer is often referred to as top soil. It consists of humus mixed with mineral sediment - Also called subsoil, this layer consists of sediment mixed with humus removed from the upper layers. The subsoil is where mineral sediment is chemically weathered. - This is substratum and is a zone of mechanical weathering. Here, bedrock fragments are physically broken but not chemically altered. This layer contains no organic material. - The final layer consists of unweathered, parent bedrock and fragments. -

The top horizon is a thin layer of predominantly organic material, such as leaves, twigs, and other plant parts that are actively decaying into humus -O horizon This layer is often referred to as top soil. It consists of humus mixed with mineral sediment -A horizon Also called subsoil, this layer consists of sediment mixed with humus removed from the upper layers. The subsoil is where mineral sediment is chemically weathered. -B horizon This is substratum and is a zone of mechanical weathering. Here, bedrock fragments are physically broken but not chemically altered. This layer contains no organic material. -C horizon The final layer consists of unweathered, parent bedrock and fragments. -R horizon

Which of these most accurately describes the relationship between China's export quota of REE and REE Price? The two are unrelated. The two are inversely related; when the export quota is increased, the price decreases, and vice versa. The two are positively related; when the export quota increases, the price increases. The REE price controls the Export Quota; changes in the price cause changes in the export quota.

The two are inversely related; when the export quota is increased, the price decreases, and vice versa.

Why is Earth's climate sensitivity difficult to calculate precisely? There are a variety of feedbacks that operate on different timescales Earth's climate responds randomly to changes in CO2 We do not understand the relationship between CO2 and temperature

There are a variety of feedbacks that operate on different timescales

How was atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) different during the Last Glacial Maximum? There was less CO2 in the atmosphere because it was absorbed by the ocean There was less CO2 in the atmosphere because it was trapped in ice CO2 increased because there were fewer plants on land More CO2 was put in the air by volcanic eruptions

There was less CO2 in the atmosphere because it was absorbed by the ocean

Read this article about a swarm of earthquakes at Yellowstone in 2017 - https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/yellowstone/article_home.html?vaid=124 (Links to an external site.) (same article as Question 9) Why did they not increase the threat level of Yellowstone at the time, given the increase of seismic activity? The earthquake levels had been consistently elevated for several years without incident. There were no other signs of volcanic unrest Seismic swarms are not indicators of volcanic activity Magma had risen up to the surface but then sunk back down.

There were no other signs of volcanic unrest

What makes transform boundaries different than other boundaries? Transform are less common Transform makes more mountains Transform has almost no volcanoes Transform has fewer earthquakes Transform are older

Transform has almost no volcanoes

Which of these can be done to minimize the potential problem of tailings? (select all that apply) Treat the water from the tailings pond to neutralize the acids. Cap the tailings ponds with an impermeable liner. Putting plastic liners underneath the tailings pond

Treat the water from the tailings pond to neutralize the acids. Cap the tailings ponds with an impermeable liner. Putting plastic liners underneath the tailings pond

Match the descriptions below with the correct type of radioactive decay. Two protons and two neutrons are emitted from the nucleus of an atom A neutron in its nucleus splits into an electron and a proton A proton in the nucleus captures an electron from one of the electron shells and becomes a neutron

Two protons and two neutrons are emitted from the nucleus of an atom (alpha decay) A neutron in its nucleus splits into an electron and a proton (beta decay) A proton in the nucleus captures an electron from one of the electron shells and becomes a neutron (electron capture)

Investigate the recent earthquake near Magna, Utah: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu60363602/executive What is highest Intensity of shaking that was reported for this earthquake by people using the Did You Feel It feature? VI VII IV II V VIII X IX I III

VII

Investigate the recent earthquake near Magna, Utah: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu60363602/executive (Links to an external site.) What is highest Intensity of shaking that was predicted for this earthquake by the Shakemap model? V VI VII IX VIII IV

VIII

Are rare earth elements (REE) currently being mined in the United States? Yes, there are many REE mines operating in the United States. No, there are not currently any operational REE mines in the United States. Yes, there is one operational mine in California.

Yes, there is one operational mine in California.

A decrease in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would lead to _______________. (select two correct answers) a decrease in the amount of Earth radiation that is absorbed by the atmosphere an increase in Earth's average temperature a decrease in the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by the Earth a decrease in Earth's average temperature

a decrease in the amount of Earth radiation that is absorbed by the atmosphere a decrease in Earth's average temperature

A decrease in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would lead to _______________. (select all that apply) a decrease in the amount of long-wave radiation that is absorbed by the atmosphere a decrease in Earth's average temperature a decrease in the amount of short-wave radiation that is absorbed by the Earth an increase in Earth's average temperature

a decrease in the amount of long-wave radiation that is absorbed by the atmosphere a decrease in Earth's average temperature

An increase in Earth's average albedo leads to ________________. (select all that apply) an increase in the amount of long-wave Earth radiation that is absorbed by greenhouse gases a decrease in the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by Earth an increase in the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by Earth a decrease in the amount of radiation produced by the sun an increase in the amount of solar radiation that is reflected

a decrease in the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed by Earth an increase in the amount of solar radiation that is reflected

A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric gas that _______. filters out incoming solar radiation. causes air pollution problems in urban environments. cools the planet by reflecting incoming solar radiation. absorbs heat radiating from the surface of Earth.

absorbs heat radiating from the surface of Earth.

Hydraulic fracturing ______________ (select all that apply). allows oil and gas to be extracted from source rocks is used in high permeability conventional reservoirs is primarily used to extract oil or gas from shale increase the permeability of the rock is a process by which oil is produce from microorganisms is a process in which fluid and sand is pumped at high pressure into a rock to fracture it

allows oil and gas to be extracted from source rocks is primarily used to extract oil or gas from shale increase the permeability of the rock is a process in which fluid and sand is pumped at high pressure into a rock to fracture it

Which of these factors will affect the shear strength of material on a slope? (choose all that apply) angle of the slope amount of water the material contains strength of gravity the orientation of bedding or metamorphic layers rock type

amount of water the material contains the orientation of bedding or metamorphic layers rock type

The steepest angle at which sediments will be stable and NOT move down hill is called _____. angle of repose angle of incline angle of stability angle of cohesion

angle of repose

What is the Principle of Cross-cutting Relationships? an interruption in the process of deposition of sedimentary rocks any rock fragments that are included in rock must be older than the rock in which they are included any geological feature that cuts across, or disrupts another feature must be younger than the feature that is disrupted younger sedimentary rock layers are deposited on top of older sedimentary rock layers

any geological feature that cuts across, or disrupts another feature must be younger than the feature that is disrupted

Over the last 600,000 years, the highest pre-industrial concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere was _____. approximately 500 approximately 300 approximately 200 approximately 400

approximately 300

An igneous rock with a mafic composition that formed extrusively would be called a ________________. rhyolite gabbro diorite andesite peridotite granite basalt

basalt

Continental collisions are characterized by___________________. (select all that apply) broad mountainous regions widespread shallow earthquakes frequent volcanic eruptions a narrow mountain chain on the edge of a continent deep earthquakes

broad mountainous regions widespread shallow earthquakes

Which of these are common non-silicate mineral classes? Select all that apply. carbonates aluminides sulfides native elements oxides ironates halides

carbonates sulfides native elements oxides halides

Which of these are examples of inorganic chemical sedimentary rocks? (select all that apply) shale chert sandstone halite breccia gypsum travertine

chert halite gypsum travertine

Which type of sedimentary rock is formed from rock and mineral fragments weathered from rocks at Earth's surface? clastic chemical biochemical bioclastic

clastic

Which of the following would likely have the lowest permeability? sand gravel clay fractured igneous rock

clay

Swelling soils occur when water is added to which type of minerals? calcite quartz clay minerals mafic minerals

clay minerals

Swelling soils occur when water is added to which type of minerals? quartz calcite mafic minerals clay minerals

clay minerals

Place these clastic sedimentary rocks in order from smallest grain size (1) to largest grain size (4). claystone siltstone sandstone conglomerate

claystone 1 siltstone 2 sandstone 3 conglomerate 4

Which of these factors contribute to the nature and rate of soil formation? (choose all that apply) climate slope of the surface amount of time available type of parent material

climate slope of the surface amount of time available type of parent material

Which energy source currently produces the most electricity in Colorado? coal solar nuclear hydroelectric wind natural gas

coal

Which energy source currently produces the most electricity in Colorado? wind natural gas hydroelectric coal nuclear solar

coal

A _______ volcano has steep flanks, symmetrical cone shapes, distinct craters, and a silica-rich magma that results in an explosive eruption style. shield composite (stratovolcano) cinder cone flood basalt

composite (stratovolcano)

Which of these plate boundary types would you expect to find thick crust, reverse faults, and folds? continental rift mid-ocean ridge transform boundary continental collision

continental collision

Which type of crust has lower density? ocean crust continental crust

continental crust

Determine if the descriptions below would correspond to intrusive or extrusive igneous rocks. cools quickly on Earth's surface cools slowly within Earth's crust contains tiny microscopic crystals contains larger crystals that can be seen with the naked eye

cools quickly on Earth's surface extrusive cools slowly within Earth's crust intrusive contains tiny microscopic crystals extrusive contains larger crystals that can be seen with the naked eye intrusive

If you wanted to reconstruct ocean temperatures on short timescales (decades to centuries) with annual resolution, which of these archives would be the best target? tree rings sediment cores ice cores corals sedimentary rocks

corals

Which is an example of a renewable resource? (Choose all that apply) silver corn ethanol granite coal heat within Earth solar power meat hydroelectric power

corn ethanol heat within Earth solar power meat hydroelectric power

At a mid-ocean ridge, what is the primary mechanism of melting? heating addition of water decompression

decompression

If the amount of incoming solar radiation that the Earth absorbs is less than the amount of outgoing radiation the Earth emits to space, Earth's temperature will ________________. stay the same decrease increase

decrease

If the size of ice sheets on land decreases (less water locked up as ice), the 18O/16O ratio of seawater should __________ decrease increase stay the same

decrease

Which of these changes in the physical conditions could cause a solid rock to melt? (Select all that apply.) decrease in pressure increase in temperature addition of water decrease in temperature increase in pressure

decrease in pressure increase in temperature addition of water

Which of the following changes to the crust would act to increase regional elevations? (Choose all that apply.) increase the density of the crust cool the crust decrease the density of the crust heat the crust thin the crust thicken the crust

decrease the density of the crust heat the crust thicken the crust

Adding water to a rock can contribute to melting by _________________. cooling the rock decreasing the temperature at which the rock melts heating the rock increasing the temperature at which the rock melts decreasing the pressure

decreasing the temperature at which the rock melts heating the rock

New ocean crust is formed at which type of plate boundary? transform convergent divergent

divergent

The areas from which streams (Links to an external site.) collect water are separated into ______________, the borders of which are defined by local topographic highs. tributary streams drainage basins discharge segments stream mouth dry wash

drainage basins

Which of these conditions tends to promote greater solar power potential? (select all that apply) drier climate steeper topography closer to the equator flatter topography farther from the equator wetter climate

drier climate closer to the equator flatter topography

Hazards from collapsible soils tend to happen in areas with ________________________. soil developed on top of crystalline bedrock dry, low density soils soil containing a high clay content wet, marshy soils

dry, low density soils

Which of these areas of Colorado has the highest wind energy potential? eastern part of the state western part of the state northern central part of the state southern central part of the state

eastern part of the state

Which sector of the economy produces the most anthropogenic greenhouse gass emissions? transportation industry agriculture, forestry, and land use electricity and heat production buildings

electricity and heat production

Which of these terms is defined as the point on the land surface directly above the location where the earthquake occurred? hypocenter epicenter rupture surface magnitude

epicenter

Identify the processes below as mechanical (physical) or chemical weathering. exfoliation frost wedging root wedging salt expansion hydrolysis dissolution oxidation

exfoliation. mechanical weathering frost wedging. mechanical weathering root wedging. mechanical weathering salt expansion. mechanical weathering hydrolysis. chemical weathering dissolution. chemical weathering oxidation. chemical weathering

If an igneous rock contains large percentages of quartz, potassium feldspar and biotite, it's composition would be _________________. intermediate mafic ultramafic felsic

felsic

Volcanoes with which magma composition tend to have the most explosive eruptions? felsic mafic intermediate

felsic

Volcanoes with which magma composition tend to have the most explosive eruptions? mafic felsic intermediate

felsic

Which type of mass wasting moves rapidly and can be deadly? (choose all that apply) creep slump flows rock fall solifluction

flows rock fall

Alignment of minerals or other features in the direction perpendicular to the main stress is called ___________. foliation parent rock metamorphic grade regional metamorphism

foliation

Adding water to materials on a slope can reduce _______ and cause mass movements to occur. moisture slope friction mass

friction

What forces are involved in a mass sliding down an inclined plane? SELECT THREE friction shear normal tension compression

friction shear normal

Clastic sedimentary rocks are defined and named based mainly on their ["grain size", "composition", "roundness"] , while chemical sedimentary rocks are defined mainly on their ["composition", "roundness", "grain size"] .

grain size, composition

Which of these rock could be the parent rock of gneiss? (select all that apply) limestone granite mudrock (such as shale) quartz sandstone

granite mudrock (such as shale)

Which material would consistently make the best aquifer? gravel granite soil shale

gravel

Mass wasting occurs when the shear force is ___________ the normal force. greater than less than

greater than

Mass wasting occurs when the shear force is ___________ the shear strength. less than greater than

greater than

Confining pressure _________________. (choose all that apply) has equal pressure on all sides is an unequal balance of forces on a rock in one or more directions is responsible for causing chemical reactions increases with increasing depth in the crust modifies the arrangement, size, and/or shape of mineral crystals in a parent rock

has equal pressure on all sides is responsible for causing chemical reactions increases with increasing depth in the crust

All minerals _____________. (Select all that apply) have a ordered internal structure are liquid have a random distribution of elements are inorganic are created by plants have a specific chemical composition are natural are solid are man-made are very rare

have a ordered internal structure are inorganic have a specific chemical composition are natural are solid

Water is a very unusual substance with unique properties. Indicate unique properties of water compared to most other substances. (choose all that apply) low cohesion high cohesion as a solid, floats on its own liquid universal solvent high specific heat high adhesion as a solid, it is more dense than its liquid molecular polarity

high cohesion as a solid, floats on its own liquid universal solvent high specific heat high adhesion molecular polarity

The concentration of a mineral resource in an ore deposit is generally ____________ than the average concentration in Earth's continental crust. lower higher

higher

Which of these tectonic settings are you most likely to find the eruption of a felsic magma? subduction zone hot spot under a mid-ocean ridge hot spot under a continent

hot spot under a continent

Using the age and orientation of the eruptions from __________ , you can identify a specific rate and direction of plate movement. island arcs hot spots continental collisions

hot spots

Daytime temperatures on the moon are_____________ than on Earth, and nighttime temperature on the moon are___________ than on Earth because the moon does not have an atmosphere. hotter, colder colder, hotter

hotter, colder

Which of these terms is defined as the point within the Earth where the earthquake occurred? Rayleigh center hypocenter epicenter seismic station

hypocenter

If you wanted to reconstruct atmospheric temperatures on long timescales (hundreds of thousands of years), which of these archives would be the best target? sediment cores ice cores tree rings corals

ice cores

Earth's energy balance refers to the balance between ["energy produced in Earth's core", "heat from nuclear reactions", "incoming radiation from the sun"] and ["radiation emitted by the Earth to space", "sunlight reflected off of clouds", "energy released during earthquakes"] .

incoming radiation from the sun, radiation emitted by the Earth to space

Desertification (the transition of forests or grasslands to sand) would cause a _____________ in Earth's average albedo. no change increase decrease

increase

Which of the following conditions would increase the Moment Magnitude of an earthquake? (Select all that apply.) increase the distance that the fault slips increase the area of the fault that slips decrease the area of the fault that slips increase the rigidity of the rock decrease the rigidity of the rock decrease the distance that the fault slips

increase the distance that the fault slips increase the area of the fault that slips increase the rigidity of the rock

Which of these changes would you predict to occur in Colorado as a result of a warming climate? (choose two correct answers) increased drought and wildfire risk earlier snowmelt reduced evaporation later snowmelt

increased drought and wildfire risk earlier snowmelt

Which of these changes would result in more brittle deformation (as opposed to ductile deformation)? increased temperature decreased rock strength increased strain rate

increased strain rate

The shear force acting on materials on a slope _____________. increases as the slope angle increases. decreases as the slope angle increases. is unrelated to the slope angle.

increases as the slope angle increases.

Take a look at the site Indicators of Climate Change (Links to an external site.) from the U.S. Global Change Program. What is the direction of the trend in ccres of land burned by wildfires in the United States over the last several decades? decreasing increasing no change

increasing

Organisms that lived for relatively short time periods are particularly useful for dating rocks, especially if they were distributed over a wide geographic area and so can be used to compare rocks from different regions. These organisms are known as ____________. index fossils relative fossils biozones secondary fossils

index fossils

Organisms that lived for relatively short time periods are particularly useful for dating rocks, especially if they were distributed over a wide geographic area and so can be used to compare rocks from different regions. These organisms are known as ____________. relative fossils biozones secondary fossils index fossils

index fossils

Which scale would you use if you wanted to measure the amount of shaking felt by people and damage that occurred as a result of an earthquake? magnitude scale intensity scale

intensity scale

Which of these sectors uses the most water in Colorado? irrigation public supply thermoelectric power industrial mining

irrigation

Which of these volcano monitoring methods can create detailed images of the volcano surface? tilt meters seismometers lidar gps

lidar

Tectonic plates are made up of which layer of the Earth. Choose the best answer. lithosphere crust mantle asthenosphere

lithosphere

The last ice-age can be divided into ["long", "short"] , ["warm", "cold"] glacials and ["short", "long"] , ["warm", "cold"] interglacials.

long, cold, short, warm

Areas underlain by which of these rock/soil types will have the greatest amplitude of shaking for a given earthquake? loose, unconsolidated sediments igneous rocks sedimentary rocks metamorphic rocks

loose, unconsolidated sediments

Shale has _______ permeabilty and is often a barrier to groundwater flow. high low

low

Gases escape more easily from a ["low", "high"] viscosity magma; that is why eruptions are more violent from volcanoes that are supplied by [ "high", "low"] viscosity magma.

low, high

Water vapor will have a __________ 18O/16O ratio than the seawater it evaporated from. lower higher the same

lower

Pyroxene has the chemical formula, (NaCa)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Al,Si)2O6. Is pyroxene a felsic or mafic silicate mineral? mafic felsic

mafic

Shield volcanoes form from which type of magma? intermediate mafic felsic

mafic

Which of these magma compositions would you expect to flow most quickly? felsic mafic intermediate

mafic

Rank these magma compositions from most viscous (1) to least viscous (3). mafic intermediate felsic

mafic 3 intermediate 2 felsic 1

Magma viscosity is primarily dependent upon which two factors? depth of magma source pressure of magma gas content of magma magma composition magma temperature water content

magma composition magma temperature

The degree or intensity of metamorphism is known as _____________________. contact metamorphism foliation metamorphic grade amphibolite

metamorphic grade

As Earth's temperature increases, the Earth emits _________ radiation. the same amount less more

more

Climate models project ["more", "less"] precipitation in the northern part of North America and ["more", "less"] precipitation in the southern part of North America by the end of the century.

more, less

What might an increasing number of shallow earthquakes under a volcano indicate? the region is becoming more tectonically active movement of magma towards the surface the volcano is certain to erupt within the next day the risk of an eruption is decreasing

movement of magma towards the surface

Which of these energy sources produce carbon dioxide as a waste during electricity production (excluding emissions resulting from manufacturing of equipment)? (select all that apply) wind nuclear solar natural gas coal hydroelectric

natural gas coal

Isotopes are atoms of the same element but have different numbers of __________. protons electrons neutrons

neutrons

Investigate the recent earthquake near Magna, Utah: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/uu60363602/executive What is the tectonic setting that caused this earthquake? normal faulting in the shallow crust of the North America plate strike-slip faulting on or near the boundary between the North American and the Pacific Plates reverse faulting within the central Rocky Mountains

normal faulting in the shallow crust of the North America plate

Rank these reservoirs of water according to their volume. (1 = greatest volume; 4 = least volume) oceans glaciers and ice sheets groundwater lakes atmosphere rivers

oceans 1 glaciers and ice sheets 2 groundwater 3 lakes 4 atmosphere 5 rivers 6

As you move away from a mid-ocean ridge on either side the age of the ocean crust should get ________________. younger older stay the same age

older

Which of these are common silicate minerals? Select all that apply. hematite olivine calcite potassium feldspar biotite quartz

olivine potassium feldspar biotite quartz

For oil (petroleum) to be produced, the following events must occur: (choose all that apply) organic molecules are buried to greater depth by the accumulation of sediment plants are buried in coastal swamps microorganisms settle to the bottom of an ocean or lake after they die dinosaur bones are heated to 100 degrees C dinosaurs consume plants organic molecules are consumed by aerobic respiration organic molecules are preserved under low oxygen conditions microorganisms produce organic molecules through photosynthesis

organic molecules are buried to greater depth by the accumulation of sediment microorganisms settle to the bottom of an ocean or lake after they die organic molecules are preserved under low oxygen conditions microorganisms produce organic molecules through photosynthesis

Which of these are potential triggers for mass wasting events? (choose all that apply) lithification of sediment into solid rock reduction in slope angle oversteepening heavy rain rapid melting of snow or ice earthquake dewatering volcanic eruption

oversteepening heavy rain rapid melting of snow or ice earthquake volcanic eruption

Magnetite has the chemical formula, Fe3O4. Which class of minerals would magnetite be placed? silicates sulfides carbonates sulfates oxides

oxides

What term is used for a boundary between a continent and a ocean basin without relative motion between them? passive convergent divergent active transform

passive

Albedo is defined as the __________________. percentage of Earth's radiation that is absorbed by greenhouse gases percentage of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back to space percentage of incoming solar radiation that is absorbed by Earth's surface

percentage of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back to space

Coal was formed through the burial and heating of ____________. plants marine microorganisms dinosaurs limestone

plants

___________ describes the percentage of open space within sediment or rock. porosity hydraulic gradient water table permeability

porosity

___________ describes the percentage of open space within sediment or rock. water table permeability porosity hydraulic gradient

porosity

The loss of sea ice in the Arctic is an example of a ["positive feedback", "negative feedback"] , where an initial warming will cause there to be less sea ice which will decrease the albedo and lead to ["cooling", "additional warming"] .

positive feedback, additional warming

We can predict that melting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean due to global warming will act as a positive feedback and drive additional warming . Positing,negative Cooling,additional warming

positive, additional warming

Which of these are common silicate minerals? Select all that apply? potassium feldspar calcite olivine quartz biotite hematite

potassium feldspar olivine quartz biotite

The three main ways that minerals form are ____________, ________________, and ______________. precipitation from aqueous solution precipitation by organisms dissolution of rocks crystallization from a magma precipitation from air

precipitation from aqueous solution precipitation by organisms crystallization from a magma

The three agents of metamorphism are ____________, _____________, and ______________. lithification pressure crystallization melting fluids heat weathering

pressure fluids heat

According to Bowen's reaction series, which of these minerals would crystallize last from a cooling magma? biotite olivine pyroxene quartz plagioclase feldspar

quartz

According to Bowen's reaction series, which of these minerals would crystallize last from a cooling magma? quartz biotite plagioclase feldspar pyroxene olivine

quartz

What is the process of fixing, removing, or counteracting environmental problems associated with mining called? remediation reclamation superfunding

remediation

Which of these is a source of non-point pollution? Choose all that apply. sewage treatment plant residential areas fields of an agricultural area chemical spill site

residential areas fields of an agricultural area

An igneous rock with a felsic composition that formed extrusively would be called a _____________. basalt andesite granite rhyolite diorite gabbro peridotite

rhyolite

Which of these features would you expect to find at a divergent boundary? (select all that apply) accretionary prism ridge of elevated seafloor shallow earthquakes volcanoes ocean trench deep earthquakes

ridge of elevated seafloor shallow earthquakes volcanoes

A large rock body that moves as a unit along a planar surface would be classified as a ________________. rock fall slump debris flow rock slide

rock slide

Which of the following are ways of correlating rocks? (Select three that apply) rock type fossils topographic expression elevation time (age)

rock type fossils time (age)

Which of these are examples of clastic sedimentary rocks? (select all that apply) coquina sandstone chert shale breccia limestone siltstone

sandstone shale breccia siltstone

Put these metamorphic rocks in order of increasing metamorphic grade from 1 (lowest grade) to 4 (highest grade). schist slate gneiss phyllite

schist 3 slate 1 gneiss 4 phyllite 2

Science differs from pseudoscience in that science is falsifiable. This means that _______________. science only produces results that are not false. science cannot be proven wrong science relies on subjective observations science can be proven wrong with enough evidence.

science can be proven wrong with enough evidence.

If you wanted to reconstruct ocean temperatures on long timescales (hundreds of thousands of years), which of these archives would be the best target? corals tree rings ice cores sediment cores

sediment cores

Soils on top of which of these rock types would you expect to be most at risk for swelling soils. limestone basalt shale granite sandstone

shale

Which of these rocks and depositional environments is the most likely source rock for oil and/or natural gas? sandstone deposited in a beach environment conglomerate deposited in a mountainous river environment siltstone deposited in a floodplain environment sandstone deposited in a desert sand dune environment shale deposited in an inland sea environment

shale deposited in an inland sea environment

Which of the following are possible impacts of over-pumping groundwater? (select all that apply) rising water table shallow wells become dry declining water table ground subsidence

shallow wells become dry declining water table ground subsidence

It is thought that the formation of the Rocky Mountains was caused by the subduction of an ocean plate at a _____________ angle than typical subduction. steeper shallower

shallower

Which of the following are arrangements of silica tetrahedra in silicate minerals? Select all that apply. sheet isolated chain double chain triple chain 3-D framework

sheet isolated chain double chain 3-D framework

Which of these metamorphic rocks can form from shale? (Select all that apply) slate marble schist quartzite phyllite gneiss

slate schist phyllite gneiss

Match these metamorphic rocks with their parent rock. slate marble quartzite amphibolite

slate shale marble limestone quartzite quartz sandstone amphibolite basalt or gabbro

A thick deposit of unconsolidated sediment that slowly move as a unit along a curved surface would be classified as a _______________. mudflow debris flow rock avalanche solifluction slump

slump

Earthquake damage is often worse in areas underlain by ___________. hard rocks soft sediments

soft sediments

Match the oil and gas terms below with the correct description. source rock ,reservoir, trap, seal organic matter-bearing rock within which the formation of gas and oil takes place relatively permeable rocks that allow migration and accumulation of oil and natural gas structure or arrangement of rocks that leads to the accumulation of oil or gas impermeable rock that prevents migration of oil or gas

source rock organic matter-bearing rock within which the formation of gas and oil takes place reservoir relatively permeable rocks that allow migration and accumulation of oil and natural gas trap structure or arrangement of rocks that leads to the accumulation of oil or gas seal impermeable rock that prevents migration of oil or gas

Which of these characteristics of a drainage basin would tend to promote a shorter lag time between a rainfall event and peak discharge? (choose all that apply) thicker soils steeper terrain impermeable surfaces larger drainage basin

steeper terrain impermeable surfaces

Which type of fault would you expect to find at a transform boundary? strike slip fault reverse fault normal fault

strike slip fault

Currently, the most widely accepted hypothesis for the formation of the Rocky Mountains involves _________________. stretching and thinning of the continental crust subduction of an ocean plate at a shallow angle under western North America collision of two continental plates

subduction of an ocean plate at a shallow angle under western North America

Molybdenite has the chemical formula, MoS2. Which class of minerals would molybdenite be placed? sulfates carbonates silicates oxides sulfides

sulfides

Pyrite has the chemical formula, FeS2. Which class of minerals would pyrite be placed? sulfates sulfides carbonates silicates oxides

sulfides

The energy in Earth's climate system comes from the _____________. moon sun interior of the earth hurricanes

sun

The largest mines, producing the most ore, are generally _________________. underground mines surface mines

surface mines

The failure of a slope typically occurs when: the force of gravity is reduced friction along the slope increases the resisting force is greater than the downslope force the downslope force is greater than the resisting force

the downslope force is greater than the resisting force

Match the relative dating principle with its definition. the layers on the bottom are the oldest and the layers above are younger Layers of rocks deposited from above, such as sediments and lava flows, originally were laid down horizontally Within the depositional basin in which they form, strata are continuous in all directions until they thin out at the edge of that basin Faults and igneous intrusions that cut across rocks are younger than the rocks they cut across. When one rock formation contains pieces or inclusions of another rock, the inclusion is older than the host rock Assemblages of fossils contained in strata are unique to the time they lived and can be used to correlate rocks of the same age across wide geographic distribution

the layers on the bottom are the oldest and the layers above are younger- superpositon Layers of rocks deposited from above, such as sediments and lava flows, originally were laid down horizontally- original horizontallity Within the depositional basin in which they form, strata are continuous in all directions until they thin out at the edge of that basin- lateral continuity Faults and igneous intrusions that cut across rocks are younger than the rocks they cut across - cross-cutting relationships When one rock formation contains pieces or inclusions of another rock, the inclusion is older than the host rock -inclusions Assemblages of fossils contained in strata are unique to the time they lived and can be used to correlate rocks of the same age across wide geographic distribution. - faunal succession

When a oceanic plate and a continental plate converge, which plate will subduct? the oceanic plate the continental plate

the oceanic plate

A reddish color in sedimentary rocks usually indicates ____________. (choose all that apply) the presence of organic matter the presence of iron oxides deposition in an environment without much oxygen deposition in an environment with plenty of oxygen

the presence of iron oxides deposition in an environment with plenty of oxygen

Viscosity refers to _________________ the resistance to flow of a fluid the temperature and gas content of a fluid the gas content of a fluid the density of a fluid material

the resistance to flow of a fluid

The discharge of a river measures ___________________. the size of clasts that can be carried by a river the speed of the water flowing through a river the volume of water flowing through a river

the volume of water flowing through a river

Cleavage describes _______________. the way that light bounces off a mineral the way a mineral breaks along preferred directions the trail of powdered mineral that remains if a mineral is rubbed on a porcelain plate the distinctive geometric shape a mineral will grow into if it grows unobstructed

the way a mineral breaks along preferred directions the trail of powdered mineral that remains if a mineral is rubbed on a porcelain plate

An earthquake occurs when ___________________. a fault sticks and does not move there is a rupture and movement along a fault there is no friction along a fault and the two sides of the fault slide past each other effortlessly

there is a rupture and movement along a fault

In the eastern United States, ____________ is the largest use of water. public supply livestock thermoelectric power industrial irrigation

thermoelectric power

Which of these characteristics of a drainage basin would tend to promote a longer lag time between a rainfall event and peak discharge? (choose all that apply) impermeable surfaces thick soils larger drainage basin more vegetation steep terrain

thick soils larger drainage basin more vegetation

What are the two most important factors in the process of generating oil from organic remains? ozone porosity time temperature permeability pressure

time temperature

What is the term used for a boundary between two plates where the relative motion is horizontal, with the two plates sliding past one another? passive active transform divergent convergent

transform

Concentrated deposits of Uranium ore are created by _______________. respiration of organic molecules by bacteria certain types of volcanoes that erupt molten uranium transport and precipitation of uranium by groundwater burial and heating of organic molecules

transport and precipitation of uranium by groundwater

A greenhouse gas is an atmospheric gas that _______. filters out incoming solar radiation. traps heat radiating from the surface of Earth. causes air pollution problems in urban environments. cools the planet by reflecting incoming solar radiation.

traps heat radiating from the surface of Earth.

The hanging wall block moves up relative to the footwall block in reverse dip-slip faults. True False

true

Areas at the greatest risk of collapsible soils tend to be _______________. underlain by dry, loose sediments that accumulate in valleys underlain by volcanic bedrock underlain by shale, which contributes clay to soils underlain by metamorphic rocks

underlain by dry, loose sediments that accumulate in valleys

Match the depositional environments listed below with the types of sediment that are typically found there. very fine muds and oozes, diatomaceous Earth very well sorted sand lime mud with coral sand and mud, can have larger sediments mud to boulders, poorly sorted very well sorted sand and silt

very fine muds and oozes, diatomaceous Earth abyssal very well sorted sand littoral (beach) lime mud with coral reef sand and mud, can have larger sediments fluvial (river) mud to boulders, poorly sorted glacial very well sorted sand and silt aeolian (dunes)

Which of these are potential triggers for mass wasting events? (choose all that apply) volcanic eruption lithification of sediment into solid rock reduction in slope angle Correct! heavy rain Correct Answer wildfire Correct Answer freezing and thawing Correct! earthquake

volcanic eruption heavy rain wildfire freezing and thawing earthquake

Which of these features would you expect to find at a convergent boundary where subduction is taking place? (select all that apply) oceanic ridge volcanoes deep ocean trench deep earthquakes accretionary prism shallow earthquakes new ocean crust

volcanoes deep ocean trench deep earthquakes accretionary prism shallow earthquakes

Soils develop faster under ___________ conditions warmer colder

warmer

Soil is made up of which of these components? (Select four.) water weathered rock petroleum organic material air eroded rock

water weathered rock organic material air

Read this article about a swarm of earthquakes at Yellowstone in 2017 - https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/yellowstone/article_home.html?vaid=124 (Links to an external site.) What was the most likely cause of this seismic swarm? water is diffusing through small cracks in the subsurface movement of magma near the surface tectonic stress as subduction proceeds beneath Yellowstone magmatic movements at depth (>7 kms or 4 miles)

water is diffusing through small cracks in the subsurface

Which of the following would likely have the highest porosity? well-cemented sandstone poorly-sorted silt, sand, and gravel unfractured granite well-sorted gravel

well-sorted gravel

Match these descriptions of processes associated with lithification with the correct term. when friction and gravity overcome the forces driving sediment transport, allowing sediment to accumulate when material continues to accumulate on top of the sediment layer, squeezing the grains together and driving out water minerals coating the sediment grains and gluing them together into a fused rock

when friction and gravity overcome the forces driving sediment transport, allowing sediment to accumulate deposition when material continues to accumulate on top of the sediment layer, squeezing the grains together and driving out water compaction minerals coating the sediment grains and gluing them together into a fused rock cementation

Match the type of unconformity with the correct description. where is a break or stratigraphic absence between strata in an otherwise parallel sequence of strata where sedimentary strata are deposited on crystalline (igneous or metamorphic) rocks where sedimentary strata are deposited on a terrain developed on sedimentary strata that have been deformed by tilting, folding, and/or faulting. so that they are no longer horizontal

where is a break or stratigraphic absence between strata in an otherwise parallel sequence of strata (disconformity) where sedimentary strata are deposited on crystalline (igneous or metamorphic) rocks (nonconformity) where sedimentary strata are deposited on a terrain developed on sedimentary strata that have been deformed by tilting, folding, and/or faulting. so that they are no longer horizontal (angular unconformity)

What is currently the least expensive source of new electricity in Larimer County (where Fort Collins is)? utility-scale solar coal combined-cycle natural gas wind

wind

Which of these energy sources would be considered renewable? (select all that apply) coal wind solar hydroelectric natural gas nuclear

wind solar hydroelectric

What is the level of precision of GPS stations positioned on a volcano? within a meter within a centimeter within 10s of meters

within a centimeter