GEOLOGY MIDTERM
14) The refers the sum total of all life on Earth. A) hydrosphere B) atmosphere C) biosphere D) asthenosphere
C) biosphere
Which one of the following statements is NOT correct? A) Metamorphic rocks may melt to magma. B) Sedimentary rocks may weather to igneous rocks. C) Magmas crystallize to form igneous rocks. D) Igneous rocks can undergo metamorphism.
B) Sedimentary rocks may weather to igneous rocks.
What is the name of the dark-colored mica? A) calcite B)biotite C) quartz D) olivine
B) biotite
In correct order from the center outward, Earth includes which units? A) core, inner mantle, outer mantle, crust B) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust C) inner core, crust, mantle, hydrosphere D) core, crust, mantle, hydrosphere
B) inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
the San Andreas A) divergent B) transform C) convergent
B) transform
The currently accepted age of the Earth is ______________ years. A) 4.6 thousand B) 6.4 trillion C) 4.6 billion D) 6.4 million
C) 4.6 billion
A) Karl Wagner In the early part of the twentieth century, __________ argued forcefully for continental drift. A) Karl Wagner B) Peter Rommel C) Alfred Wegener D) Bill Kohl
C) Alfred Wegener
_______________ was the highly influential, ancient Greek philosopher noted for his writings and teachings on natural philosophy and on the workings of the Earth. A) Nero B) Odysseus C) Aristotle D) Pappagapolis
C) Arisrotle
_______________was an important eighteenth century English geologist and proponent of uniformitarianism. A) Charles Lyell B) Issac Newton C) Jame Hutton D) James Ussher
C) James Hutton
_______ has the highest specific gravity. A) Wood B) Water C) Gold D) Quartz
C) gold
typical rate of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean is A) 2 feet per year B) 0.1 inches per year C) 20 feet per year D) 2 centimeters per year
D) 2 centimeter per year
A very long-lived magma source located deep in the mantle is called a A) magma welt B) basalt spout C) melt well D) hot spot
D) hot spot
___________ rocks form by crystallization and consolidation of molten magma. A) Sedimentary B) Indigenous C) Primary D) Igneous
D) igneous
___________ reacts readily with acids such as hydrochloric. A) Calcite B) Quartz C) Diamond D) Tale
A) Calcite
When an atom gains an electron during a chemical reaction, which of the following is true? A) That atom has a negative charge. B) That atom has a positive charge. C) That atom has no charge. D) That atom has no valence electrons.
A) That atom has a negative charge.
In sedimentary rocks, lithification includes A) compaction and cementation B) cementation and weathering C) compaction and transportation D) crystallization and cooling
A) compaction and cementation
The is the thinnest layer of the Earth. A) crust B) outer core C) mantle D) inner core
A) crust
plates are moving apart from one another A)divergent B) transform C) convergent
A) divergent
the Mid-Atlantic Ridge A) divergent B) transform C) convergent
A) divergent
A cubic centimeter of quartz, olivine, and gold weigh 2.5, 3.0, and 19.8 grams respectively. This indicates that A) gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine B) gold is 6 to 7 times harder than olivine and quartz C) gold and olivine are silicates, quartz is elemental silicon D) olivine and quartz powders are harder than metallic gold
A) gold has a higher density and specific gravity than quartz and olivine
Which common nonsilicate mineral is used in wallboard? A) gypsum B) pyrite C) bentonite D) halite
A) gypsum
The Mohs scale measures which property of minerals? A) hardness B) cleavage C) specific gravity D) opacity
A) hardness
The ____________ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth's interior. A) inner core B) lithosphere C) mantle D) outer
A) inner core
Which of the following describes the light reflecting characteristics of a mineral? A) luster B) color streak C) virtual absorption D) fluorescence
A) luster
Gold's tenacity can be described as A) malleable B) sectile C) elastic D) brittle
A) malleable
________ denote positively charged, nuclear particles. A)Protons B) Electrons C) Isotrons D) Neutrons
A) protons
Parallel, straight, linear imperfections visible on the cleavage surfaces of plagioclase feldspar are called __________ A)striations B) fractures C) cleavage D) streaks
A) striations
pushed Cooler, older, oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at A) subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries B) transform fault zones along divergent plate boundaries C) rift zones along mid-ocean ridges D) sites of long-lived, hot spot volcanism in the ocean basins
A) subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries
The gently sloping platform that extends seaward from shore, found along most coasts, is called A) the continental shelf B)the continental slope C) the continental rise D) the continental shield
A) the continental shelf
is the process by which rocks break down in place to produce soils and sediments. A) Weathering B) Lithification C) Subduction D) Metamorphism
A) weathering
Active mountain belts are most likely to be found A)along the margins of continents B) in the interior regions of continents C) scattered throughout continents D) along only the eastern margins of continents
A)along the margins of continents
A compound is a stable chemical substance composed of two or more A)elements B) molecules C) minerals D) electrons
A)elements
What are the basic differences between the disciplines of physical and historical geology? A) Physical geology is the study of fossils and sequences of rock strata; historical geology is the study of how rocks and minerals were used in the past. B) 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 form and of how erosion shapes the land surface. C)Physical geology involves the study of rock strata, fossils, and deposition in relation to plate movements in the geologic past; historical geology charts how and where the plates were moving in the past. D) None of the above-physical geology and historical geology are essentially the same.
B) 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 form and of how erosion shapes the land surface.
30) Which of the following correctly describes the difference between ferromagnesian and nonferromagnesian silicates? A) Nonferromagnesian silicates are darker in color and do not contain iron or magnesium B) Nonferromagnesian silicates are lighter in color and do not contain iron or magnesium C) Nonferromagnesian silicates are lighter in color and contain iron or magnesium. D) Nonferromagnesian silicates are darker in color and contain iron or magnesium.
B) Nonferromagnesian silicates are lighter in color and do not contain iron or magnesium.
Which of the following is true of the rocks of the seafloor? A) The oldest rocks of the seafloor are older than the oldest rocks on the continents. B) The oldest rocks of the seafloor are younger than the oldest rocks on the continents. C) The youngest rocks of the seafloor are older than the oldest rocks on the continents. D) The rocks of the seafloor are generally the same age as the rocks on the continents.
B) The oldest rocks of the seafloor are younger than the oldest rocks on the continents.
Which one of the following most accurately describes the volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands? A) They are associated with subduction and a convergent plate boundary. B) They are fed by a long-lived hot spot below the Pacific lithospheric plate. C) They are associated with a mid-Pacific ridge and spreading center. D) They are associated with a mid-Pacific transform fault. led
B) They are fed by a long-lived hot spot below the Pacific lithospheric plate.
Which one of the following is NOT true for minerals? A) They have a specific, internal, crystalline structure. B) They can be a liquid, solid, or gas. C) They have a specific, predictable chemical composition. D) They can be identified by characteristic physical properties.
B) They can be a liquid, solid, or gas.
How do the electrons behave in a mineral with metallic bonding? A) They are tightly bound to certain atoms and cannot readily move. B) They can move relatively easily from atom to atom inside the mineral. C) They react with protons to make neutrons in the outer valence shells. D) They move to adjacent negative ions, forming positive ions.
B) They can move relatively easily from atom to atom inside the mineral.
____________is often paraphrased as "the present is the key to the past." A) Biblical prophecy B) Uniformitarianism C) Aristotelian logic D) Catastrophism
B) Uniformitarianism
All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation EXCEPT for_______ A) the collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement B) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation C) the development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts D) development of observations and experiments to test the hypotheses
B) assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation
The _______ is not a part of the Earth's physical environment A) solid Earth B) Astrophere C) hydrophere D) atmophere
B) astrophere
At subduction zones, portions of oceanic crust descend into the mantle. A) younger B) older C) less dense D) melted
B) bolder
Pull-apart rift zones are generally associated with _________ plate boundaries. A) transform B) divergent C) convergent D) all
B) divergent
Which type of plate boundary occurs where two plates move apart, resulting in upwelling and partial melting of hot material from the mantle? A) convergent boundary B) divergent boundary C) transform boundary D) transition boundary
B) divergent boundary
Which of the following cycles moves water among Earth's four spheres? A) the rock cycle B) hydrologic cycle C) the solar cycle D) the volcanic cycle
B) hydrologic cycle
What in the name given to an atom that gains or loses electrons in a chemical reaction? A) molecule B) ion C) isotope D) nucleon
B) ion
Which of the following minerals is in the mineral group known as mica? A) orthoclase B) muscovite C) augite D) olivine
B) muscovite
The most prominent feature on the ocean floor are the A) deep-ocean trenches B) oceanic ridges C) seamounts D) lava plateaus
B) oceanic ridges
A(n)________ s not a fundamental particle found in atoms. A) neutron B) photon C) electron D) proton
B) photon
Each atom of the same element, zinc for example, has the same number of A) electrons in the nucleus B) protons in the nucleus C) neutrons in the outer nuclear shell D) electrons in the valence bond level
B) protons in the nucleus
The Geologic Time Scale represents A) the previous 100,000 years of Earth's history B) the entire 4.6 billion-year history of Earth C) the span of geologic time since humans existed D) the span of geologic time since dinosaurs existed
B) the entire 4.6 billion-year history of Earth
this boundary is normally devoid of volcanism A) divergent B)transform C) convergent
B) transform
You come across a whitish mineral in the field. You think it might be calcite, but you aren't sure. Which of the following would be the best way to determine if your sample is calcite? A) Smash it with a rock hammer to see if it fractures. B)Apply dilute hydrochloric acid to see if it fizzes. C) Check its streak color. D) Test its hardness.
B)Apply dilute hydrochloric acid to see if it fizzes.
A) A rock has an orderly, 1) Which of the following best defines a mineral and a rock? A) repetitive, geometrical, internal arrangement of minerals; a mineral is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of rocks. geometrically repetitive structure; in B) A mineral consists of its constituent atoms arranged in a a rock, the atoms are randomly bonded without any geometric pattern. C) In a mineral, the constituent atoms are bonded in a regular, rock is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of different mineral grains. repetitive, internal structure; a D) A rock consists of atoms bonded in a regular, geometrically predictable arrangement; a mineral is a consolidated aggregate of different rock particles.
C) In a mineral, the constituent atoms are bonded in a regular, rock is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of different mineral grains. repetitive, internal structure; a
A __________ denotes the purity of gold used in jewelry: A) carnot B) carette C)karat D) carlot
C) Karat
The ___________ proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same A) Big Bang theory B) Plate Tectonics theory C) Nebular theory D) Heliocentric theory
C) Nebulae Theory
Which of the following best describes the Earth system? of the system are totally independent of one another. BI The Earth system includes A) The different components only the hydrologic cycle and the rock cycle. B) the earth sustem only includes hydrologic cycle ans the rock cycle C) The Earth system has a nearly endless array of interconnected subsystems. D) Geology is the only field of study related to the Earth system.
C) The Earth system has a nearly endless array of interconnected subsystems.
Which of the following is true of Earth's continents? A) Most of their landmass lies at elevations substantially above sea level. B) Most of their landmass is comprised of rocky mountains. C) They are relatively flat and have an average elevation that is quite close to sea level. D) They cover the vast majority of Earth's surface.
C) They are relatively flat and have an average elevation that is quite close to sea level.
Which one of the following is a typical product of weathering? A) micas B) ferromagnesians C) feldspars D)clays
C) clays
The strong tendency of certain minerals to break along smooth, parallel planes is known as A) streak B) cleavage C) cracking luster D) crystal form
C) cleavage
Which of the following covergent boundary types will NOT result in a deep-ocean trench forming? A) oceanic-oceanic collision B) oceanic-continental collision C) continental-continental collision D) All of these boundary types result in the mmation of a deep-ocean trench.
C) continental-continental collision
where lithosphere is sinking into the mantle A) divergent B) transform C) convergent
C) convergent
where subduction zones occur A) divergent B) transform C) convergent
C) convergent
In which type of chemical bonding are electrons shared between adjacent atoms? A) ionic B) subatomic C)covalent D) isotopie
C) covalent
Which of the following is an Earth layer defined based on its chemical composition? A) asthenosphere B) lithosphere C) crust D) transition zone
C) crust
What mineral is the hardest known substance in nature? A) silicate B) native gold C)diamond D) muscovite
C) diamond
7) New oceanic crust and lithosphere are formed at A) divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of rhyolitic magma B) convergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of rhyolitic magma C) divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma D) convergent boundaries by submarine era ons and intrusions of basaltic magma
C) divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma
What are the lightest or least massive of the fundamental atomic particles? A) uranium nuclei B) protons C) electrons D) neutrons
C) electrons
The continental drift hypothesis was rejected primarily because Alfred Wegener could not _____________. A) find geologic similarities on different continents B) disprove competing theories that were more accepted by scientists C) identify a mechanism capable of moving continents D) all of the above
C) identify a mechanism capable of moving continents
What is a naturally occurring concentration of one or more metallic minerals that can be extracted economically called? A) nonrenewable resource B) compound C)ore D) deposit
C) ore
What element is the most abundant in the Earth's crust by weight? A) carbon B) chlorine C) oxygen D) sodium
C) oxygen
is NOT a mineral. A) Halite B) Calcite C)Oxygen D) Gold
C) oxygen
The late Paleozoic supercontinent is known as e A) Pandomonia B) Pancakea C) Pangaea D) Panatopia
C) pangaea
Which group of minerals are the most abundant in the Earth's crust? A) sulfides B) carbonates C) silicates D) chlorides
C) silicates
What physical property denotes the color of a powdered mineral? A) fracture B) hardness C) streak D) luster
C) streak
Most of our understanding of Earth's interior comes from A) direct samples from the mantle B) the activity of volcanoes C) the study of seismic waves D) sampling the composition of the crust
C) the study of seismic waves
The San Andreas fault in California is a good example of a __________ plate boundary. A) convergent B) divergent C) transform D) The San Andreas fault is not a plate boundary.
C) transform
plates are sliding past one another horizontally A) divergent B) transform C) convergent
C) transform
Which of the following choices best illustrates the proper order of the steps in a scientific investigation? A) Analyze data, conduct background research, form a hypothesis. B) Form a hypothesis, conduct background research, analyze data. C)Raise a question from the natural world, construct a hypothesis, test the hypothesis. D) Develop observations, conduct background research, form a question about the natural world.
C)Raise a question from the natural world, construct a hypothesis, test the hypothesis.
The ________ division of the geologic time scale makes up over 88 percent of geologic time. A) Cenozoic B) Precambrian C) Paleozoic D) Mesozoic
D) Precambrian
___________rocks always originate at the surface of the solid Earth. A) Secondary B) Igneous C) Metamorphic D) Sedimentary
D) Sedimentary
According to the rock cycle, which of the following statements is true? A) Sedimentary rocks can be turned into igneous rocks, but not metamorphic rocks. B) Metamorphic rocks are the end product, and cannot be altered. C) Any rock type can ultimately be turned into any other rock type. D) Sedimentary rocks can be turned into igneous rocks, but igneous rocks cannot become sedimentary rocks.
D) Sedimentary rocks can be turned into igneous rocks, but igneous rocks cannot become sedimentary rocks.
A transform plate boundary is characterized by ____________. A) stratovolcanoes on the edge of a plate d shield volcanoes on the adjacent plate B) two converging oceanic plates meetirg head-on and piling up into a mid-ocean ridge C) a divergent boundary where the contiental plate changes to an oceanic plate D) a deep, vertical fault along which two plates slide past one another in opposite directions
D) a deep, vertical fault along which two plates slide past one another in opposite directions
____________ , a popular natural philosophy of the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, based on a firm belief in a very short geologic history for Earth. A) Ecospherism B) Exoschism C) Uniformitarianism D) Catastrophism
D) catastrophism
Ruby and sapphire are red and blue fms of the mineral________ A) diamond B) turquoise C) emerald D) corundum
D) corundum
The temperature below which magnetic material can retain a permanent magnetization is called the A) Darcy temperature B) Vine temperature C) Bullard point D) Curie point
D) curie point
The ____________ forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics. A) asthenosphere B)lithosphere C) astrosphere D)geosphere
D) geosphere
Deep-oceanic trenches are most abundant around the rim of the _________Ocean Basin. A) Atlantic B) Indian C) Arctic D) Pacific
D) pacific
Which of the following best describes the fundamental concept of superposition? A) Strata with fossils are generally deposited on strata with no fossils. B) Older strata generally are deposited on younger strata without intervening, intermediate strata. C) Older fossils in younger strata indicate a locally inverted geologic time scale. D) sedimentary deposit accumulates on older rock or sediment layers.
D) sedimentary deposit accumulates on older rock or sediment layers.
All silicate minerals contain _________ and _______ A) iron; silicon B) silicon; sodium C) oxygen; carbon D) silicon; oxygen
D) silicon; oxygen
The composition of the core of the Earth is thought to be ___________ A) basalt B) granite C) peridotite D) solid iron-nickel alloy
D) solid iron-nickel alloy
What is the smallest particle of matter that exhibits and defines the distinctive chemical characteristics of the individual elements? A) electron B) element C) compound D)atom
D)atom
A__________is a well-tested and widely accepted view that best explains certain scientific observations. A) hypothesis B) generalization C) law D) theory
D. Theory