Chapter 1: Day 1

Question 1

What are the four main layers of the Earth?

Start from the outmost part of the Earth

Answer 1

Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, Inner Core

Question 2

What are Geomaterials?

Answer 2

Geomaterials are rocks and soils made up of minerals and/ or non-crystalline substances.

Question 3

Technically speaking, what does it mean when something is “organic?”

Answer 3

Anything is organic when its molecule contains at least one Carbon atom.

Question 4

We know that Geomaterials are rocks and soils made up of multiple minerals and “non-crystalline” substances.
What are examples of “non-crystalline” substances?

Answer 4

Petroleum, 
Silica, 
Methane /CH4, 
glass, 
plastic, 
gel, etc.

Question 5

What is the definition of “minerals?”

Answer 5

Minerals are natural, solid, and inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal crystalline structure.

Question 6

What is crystallization?

Answer 6

In Igneous Rocks, crystallization is the process in which liquid rocks (magma or lava) cool down and turn into solid rocks.

In Sedimentary Rocks, crystallization is the process in which precipitates turn into hard rocks.

In Metamorphic Rocks, the process is actually called “recrystallization.” It is the process in which rocks change appearance and chemical properties when Temperature and Pressure are applied.

Question 7

What is the definition of “Rocks?”

Answer 7

Rocks are the naturally occurring “aggregate” of one or more minerals.

Question 8

What is the definition of “Soils?”

Answer 8

Soils are rocks that are broken down into smaller particles.

Soils are made up of grains that are absorbed in a matrix of finer materials. (the matrix is like the glue among grains)

Question 9

What is the “matrix” in Geology?

Answer 9

In Geology, the Matrix is the fine-grained mass of a rock that glues larger grains together.

Question 10

What is the lithogenic cycle?

Answer 10

(Lithos = stone in Greek)

The Lithogenic Cycle is a cycle that describes the origin of a rock and its possible future transformations.

Question 11

What is “magma?”

Answer 11

Magma is a natural material that is molten and is usually underground.

It is usually composed of Silica, which makes magma more explosive/ volatile.

Question 12

In which layer of the Earth is magma usually found?

Answer 12

Magma is usually found in the Mantle of the Earth’s crust.

Question 13

What are the three types of Rocks?

Answer 13

The three types of rocks are:
Sedimentary
Igneous
Metamorphic

Question 14

What are the three types of Magma based on Chemical Property?

Answer 14

Felisic, Intermediate, Mafic

Question 15

How do you describe Felsic Magma?

Answer 15

Felsic Magma is a sticky and acidic type of magma. It has high levels of Silica (65% or higher).

Question 16

How do you describe “Intermediate magma” based on Chemical property?

Answer 16

Intermediate magma has properties in between Felsic and Mafic.
It contains a medium level of Silica (at 64%-46%).

Question 17

How do you describe Mafic Magma?

Answer 17

Mafic magma is a very fluid type of magma, having low viscosity. They are quite basic and has low Silica content (45% or below).

Question 18

Where are the 3 origins of Magma (below the ground)?

Answer 18

Subscrustal magma,
Intra-crustal magma,
From the volcanic arches