Exam 2

Question 1

By the time sediments reach the ocean basins, they have become:

Answer 1

well rounded and well sorted

Question 2

which mineral is commonly used to determine a metamorphic P-T path?

Answer 2

garnet

Question 3

Which of the following tectonic settings will be coolest at 30-KM depth?

Answer 3

stable continental lithosphere

Question 4

Which of the following rocks represents the highest metamorphic grade?

Answer 4

Gneiss

Question 5

Which is the type of metamorphism with the highest pressure and lowest temperature from these choices…

Answer 5

shock

Question 6

Reverse faults form in response to _____ forces

Answer 6

compressive

Question 7

The study of the layers in sedimentary rocks is known as:

Answer 7

stratigraphy

Question 8

Phyllite is a rock of which type of metamorphism:

Answer 8

low grade

Question 9

The dip of a unit represents the:

Answer 9

angle at which the bed inclines from the horizontal

Question 10

What type of material undergoes smooth, continuous plastic deformation?

Answer 10

Ductile

Question 11

An anticline is a sequence of folded rocks with the youngest rocks on the inside of the fold

Answer 11

False

Question 12

The difference between a fault and a joint is that _________.

Answer 12

Rocks on either side of a fault have moved, whereas rocks on either side of a joint have remained stationary

Question 13

Which of the following statements about rock deformation is false?

Answer 13

Rocks under low surrounding pressure are more likely to deform ductilely than rocks under high surrounding pressure.

Question 14

The Principle of Superposition states that ______

Answer 14

undisturbed sedimentary layers get progressively younger

Question 15

The half life of a radioactive isotope is _______

Answer 15

the time it takes of half atoms to decay

Question 16

Radiometric dating is possible if a rock contains a measurable amount of ________

Answer 16

both parent and daughter atoms

Question 17

Which of the following is the largest division of geologic time?

Answer 17

Eon

Question 18

Under intense pressure and high temperature, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium. This process is called:

Answer 18

nuclear fusion

Question 19

The hypothesis that explains the formation of the solar system is referred to as_______

Answer 19

nebular hypothesis

Question 20

What caused dust and condensing material to accrete into planetesimals?

Answer 20

gravitational attractions

Question 21

The 4 inner planets are

Answer 21

small, rocky, and relatively lacking in volatile elements

Question 22

What mountain chain runs along the eastern margin of North America?

Answer 22

The Appalachians

Question 23

What are the five Tectonic Ages?

Answer 23

Archaean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Question 24

What is meant by the tectonic age of a region?

Answer 24

The youngest major deformation event in the region

Question 25

Describe the Wilson cycle order

Answer 25

Continental rifting, continent-continent collision, subduction, rifting

Question 26

Cratonic keels are ______

Answer 26

thicker under continents

Question 27

What is metasomatism?

Answer 27

A change in the bulk composition of a rock during metamorphism

Question 28

What type of metamorphism is caused by igneous intrusions?

Answer 28

Contact Metamorphism

Question 29

Which of the following processes will cause metamorphism?

Answer 29

Increase in temperature and pressure plus an interaction with hydrothermal fluids

Question 30

At what type of plate tectonic boundary would you expect shearing forces to occur?

Answer 30

Transform

Question 31

What determines whether a rock deforms in a brittle fashion versus a ductile fashion?

Answer 31

Temperature, rate of deformation, rock type

Question 32

Which of the following is used by geologists to determine the relative ages in a rock sequence?

Answer 32

cross-cutting relationships, fossils, stratigraphy

Question 33

Which is the most likely parent rock of marble?

Answer 33

Limestone

Question 34

Purely tensional stresses associated with a _________ plate boundary will generate a _______ fault.

Answer 34

Divergent; normal

Question 35

When considering the effects of faulting on the lithosphere, it is clear that normal faults serve to effectively:

Answer 35

Thin and extend the crust

Question 36

When did the Mesozoic era begin?

Answer 36

250 million years ago

Question 37

Which planet is closest in size to earth?

Answer 37

Venus

Question 38

Current evidence indicates that the Moon was produced by:

Answer 38

The collision of a Mars-sized body with Earth

Question 39

Which list places the four inner planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun?

Answer 39

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Question 40

Cratons are made up of

Answer 40

platforms and shields

Question 41

The study of geobiology is defined as _________.

Answer 41

The study of how organisms influence and are influenced by Earth’s environment.

Question 42

The radiation of life at the beginning of the Phanerozoic is known as the _______

Answer 42

Cambrian Explosion

Question 43

Organisms that gain energy from feeding directly or indirectly on “producers” are referred to as ___________.

Answer 43

heterotrophs

Question 44

The pathway through which a chemical element or molecule moves between the biologic and environmental components of an ecosystem is called the _______.

Answer 44

biogeochemical cycle

Question 45

In which geologic environment would you expect to find thermophiles?

Answer 45

mid-ocean ridge

Question 46

Sedimentary features that form from the interaction of microbes with their environment are called __________.

Answer 46

Stromatolites

Question 47

Photosynthesis arose in a group of bacteria knows as __________.

Answer 47

cyanobacteria

Question 48

Which is older, the intrusion or fault?

Answer 48

intrusion

Question 49

which principle do you use to identify the oldest rocks unit?

Answer 49

superposition