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Geology 305: Earth Systems Through Time (Unit I) > Chapter I: Earth As A System > Flashcards

Chapter I: Earth As A System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the fundamental principle guiding geologists in the reconstruction of Earth’s History?

A

Actualism

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2
Q

What are the 3 basic groups of Rock?

A

Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary

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3
Q

What is a Rock?

A

Interlocking, bonded grains; composed mainly of single elements and sometimes rock fragments.

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4
Q

What is a Mineral?

A

Inorganic elements or compounds characterized by internal structure and chemical composition.

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5
Q

How are Igneous rocks formed?

A

Extreme heat, molten magma that then cools to form rocks.

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6
Q

How are Metamorphic rocks formed?

A

Extreme heat and pressure causes metamorphosis of igneous or sedimentary rocks but does not cause melting.

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7
Q

How are Sedimentary rocks formed?

A

Weathering and erosion creates sediments which are then deposited and bonded together.

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8
Q

What 5 principles are used to determine the relative ages of rocks?

A

Steno’s 3 Principles; Superposition, Original Horizontality, and Original Lateral Continuity. And the Principles of Intrusive Relationships, and Inclusion.

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9
Q

How are changes in life recorded?

A

The fossil record, succession reveals relative age.

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10
Q

How are actual age’s of rocks estimated?

A

Radiometric dating through the use of radioactive decay.

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11
Q

How is the rock record divided?

A

Into discrete elements of time by the Geological time Scale.

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12
Q

What is an Unconformity?

A

A gap in the record of sedimentary (episodic) rock.

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13
Q

What are the three types of unconformities?

A

Angular; separates tilted beds below from flat beds above, indicates some sort of upheaval.
Disconformity; separation of two flat lying beds by an erosion surface. Usually indicates a change in environment (ocean floor to land for example).
Nonconformity; Separates flat lying bed from an eroded, crystaline rock below. Indicates a long period of erosion prior to deposition.

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14
Q

What is the Lithosphere?

A

The thin, rigid crust and upper mantle. Floats on the Asthenosphere.

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15
Q

What is the Asthenosphere?

A

About the upper 10% of the liquid mantle, partially liquefied.

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16
Q

What is the difference between Continental and Oceanic Crust?

A

Continental is much thicker and less dense than Oceanic Crust. Continental Crusts are formed primarily of Felsic rock (rich in feldspars, silicon and aluminum) while Oceanic Crusts are formed primarily by Mafic rock (rich in iron and other heavy metals).

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17
Q

Where does the heat inside earth originate?

A

Radioactive Decay

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18
Q

What drives plate movement of the lithosphere.

A

Intense heat and convection within the Asthenosphere.

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19
Q

Actualism

A

Chemical and physical principles we see today do not vary over time. Key to studying earth’s history.

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20
Q

Catastrophism

A

Championed by Werner, most visible rocks at earths surface were formed by global floods and supernatural powers.

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21
Q

Uniformitarianism

A

Early form of actualism championed by Lyell. Problematic in the fact that it does not allow for catastrophic change or variable rates of change over time.

22
Q

Bedrock

A

interconnected set of rocks below loose sediment and soil, exposed in outcroppings and exposures

23
Q

Extrusive vs Intrusive Igneous Rock.

A

Extrusive rock forms after reaching earth’s surface, faster cooling leads to smaller crystalline structures. Intrusive rock forms beneath the earths surface, cooling is generally slower and structure is larger.

24
Q

Weathering vs Erosion

A

Weathering is the chemical of physical breakdown of rocks while erosion loosens fragments of rocks and then moves them down hill.

25
Q

Rock Cycle

A

Links all types of rocks to each other

Sediment transports

26
Q

Crystalline Rocks

A

Grouping of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks

27
Q

Discrete episodes of sediment

A

Strata (Stratum pl), or beds

28
Q

Rock Formations

A

Discrete bodies of rocks.
Super Groups>Groups>Formation>Members
All Discrete

29
Q

Stratification

A

Arrangement of sedimentary rocks within discrete layers

30
Q

What are the 3 types of Sediment

A

Detrital; most common formed through weathering
Biogenic; formed by skeletons of dead organisms
Chemical; (inorganic); precipitated chemically from water

31
Q

What is an example of a chemical sediment?

A

Salt Flats

32
Q

What is an example of a biogenic sediment?

A

Limestone

33
Q

What is an example of a detrital sediment? (chemical origin and physical orgin)

A

Chemical: Shale formed by Clay
Physical: Sandstone formed by Sand

Two most common due to large amounts of Quartz (sand) and Feldspars (Clay) in granite.

34
Q

Steno’s 3 Principles

A

Basis of Stratigraphy
Superposition; strata age increases with depth
Original Horizontality; strata originally more horizontal than vertical
Original Lateral Continuity; strata originally taper to 0 or abut a natural basin

35
Q

Principle of Intrusive Relationships

A

invasive rock is always younger than country rock

36
Q

Principle of Inclusion

A

Fragments of rock found within another rock are always older than the rock they are enveloped by

37
Q

Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

A

A structure which cuts through an existing sequence of rocks is always younger than the rocks it cuts through

38
Q

Xenolith

A

inclusions of country rock by igneous rock

39
Q

Units of Geological Time

A

Eon>Era>Period>Epoch

40
Q

Geological System

A

Body of rock designated to a certain geological time

41
Q

Moho Discontinuity

A

the increase of a seismic wave’s velocity as it passes from the crust to the denser mantle. (slows again as it hits the Asthenosphere)

42
Q

Isostacy

A

Balance of the lithosphere on top of the asthenosphere, maintained by extensions into the asthenosphere beneath thicker sections of crust. (Roots beneath Mountains)

43
Q

Spreading Zones

A

areas where plates move apart, generally creates volcanoes and thicker sections of lithosphere at mid-ocean ridges

44
Q

Subduction Zones

A

areas where one plate slides underneath another into the asthenosphere, generally form mountains and volcaonoes

45
Q

Slabs

A

portions of plate which have extended into the asthenosphere

46
Q

Plumes

A

formed by a slab breaking off and sinking into the asthenosphere then melting. The less dense molten material of the slap rises to the top of the asthenosphere quickly creating a hot spot.

47
Q

Transpiration

A

Release of water vapor from plants that was taken from ground water

48
Q

Evaporites

A

Salts that constitute sedimentary deposits by accumulating into layers

49
Q

Fresh Water

A

water containing less than .05% salt by weight

50
Q

What type of rock are most fossils found in?

A

Sedimentary rock, most fossils cannot survive the high heat/pressure required to form crystalline rocks.

51
Q

What features distinguish one geologic system from another?

A

Unique groups of fossils and the nature of the rocks themselves.

52
Q

What drives the water cycle and how does it relate to geologic and biological processes?

A

Evaporation, Transpiration, and Precipitation. It causes weathering/erosion and greatly affects the climate and weather patterns of Earth.

Geology 305: Earth Systems Through Time (Unit I) (7 decks)

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