Final review Flashcards
A _ is formed when magma intrudes between existing sedimentary layers
dike
sill
stream
inclusion
sill
The loess in western China was derived from windblown, glacial rock flour.
True
False
False
which of the following statements regarding radioactive decay is true?
more daughter products accumulate over time
less daughter products accumulate over time
more daughter products accumulate over time
if one half-life has lapsed, what is the radioactive parent to stable daughter isotope ratio?
50:50
What era are we currently in?
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Precambrian
Paleozoic
cenozoic
Which era of geologic time spans about 88 percent of Earth’s history?
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Precambrian
true or false:
The fossil record is biased toward preserving organisms with hard parts.
true
True or false:
the first life on earth developed during the Cambrian Period.
false
Worldwide, the largest percentage of freshwater readily available to humans is stored in?
Pore spaces between rocks and sediment
What percentage of earths liquid freshwater is in the form of groundwater?
94%
What percentage of Earths water is in the form of groundwater?
0.62%
In terms of freshwater storage, groundwater is second only to which of the following sources?
lakes
rivers
glaciers
water table
glaciers
True or false
Groundwater migrates from areas of low pressure to areas of high pressure
false
Are records of seismic waves
seismograph
seismogram
time-travel graph
epigraph
Seismograms
A few sections of the San Andreas Fault exhibit a slow, gradual displacement known as_.
fault slump
fault creep
fault creep
True or false:
Tsunamis travel as a single wave across the ocean
False
Sun + Moon =
Spring Tide
Neap Tide
Spring Tide
Sun - Moon =
Spring Tide
Neap Tide
Neap Tide
Extra high tides caused by gravity from the sun and moon are called
Spring Tide
Neap Tide
Spring tides
Extra low tides caused when there is least difference between high tide and low tide are called
Spring Tide
Neap Tide
Neap tides
A scientific theory is a tentative or untested explanation that is proposed to explain scientific observations.
True
False
False
The ________ forms the relatively cool, brittle plates of plate tectonics.
asthenosphere
lithosphere astrosphere eosphere
lithosphere
According to the rock cycle, any type of rock (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) may be transformed into another type of rock, given enough time.
True False
True
In sedimentary rocks, lithification includes ________.
compaction and cementation cementation and weathering compaction and transportation crystallization and cooling
compaction and cementation
Internally, the Earth consists of spherical shells with different compositions and densities.
True False
True
The ________ is not a part of the Earth’s physical environment.
solid Earth
astrosphere hydrosphere atmosphere
astrosphere
The asthenosphere ________.
is a subdivision of the outer core is a zone of strong material exists below a depth of 100 kilometers exists below a depth of 700 kilometers
exists below a depth of 100
The asthenosphere is actually a part of the ________ of the Earth.
outer core
crust
inner core
mantle
mantle
The ________ division of the geologic time scale is an era of the Phanerozoic eon.
Paleocene
Paleozoic Permian Proterozoic
Paleozoic
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, direct observations showed that a glacier in Switzerland flowed forward in the downhill direction while its snout (terminus) was retreating higher up the valley. Which of the following explains these observations in a rational, scientific way?
Cooler temperatures meant slower forward glacier flow resulting in snout retreat.
The glacial hypothesis was finally accepted as a scientific theory.
Rocky debris in the valley downhill from the snout was deposited by Noah
’
s flood.
The melting rate of ice in the glacier exceeded the rate at which new snow and ice were added to the glacier.
The melting rate of ice in the glacier exceeded the rate at which new snow and ice were added to the glacier.
The ________ is thought to be a liquid, metallic region in the Earth’s interior.
inner core
lithosphere
mantle
outer core
outer core
All of the following are possible steps of scientific investigation except for
the collection of scientific facts through observation and measurement assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation the development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts development of observations and experiments to test the hypotheses
assumption of conclusions without prior experimentation or observation the development of one or more working hypotheses or models to explain facts development of observations and experiments to test the hypotheses
The proposes that the bodies of our solar system formed at essentially the same time from a rotating cloud of
gases and dust.
Big Bang theory
Plate Tectonics theory
Nebular hypothesis
Heliocentric theory
Nebular hypothesis
The most prominent feature on the ocean floor are the
deep-ocean trenches
oceanic ridges
seamounts
lava plateaus
oceanic ridges
Seafloor spreading rates can be estimated if the geologic ages of the magnetic field reversals are independently
known.
True
False
False
Avery long-lived magma source located deep in the mantle is called a
magma welt
basalt spout
melt well
hot spot
hot spot
Linear, magnetic patterns associated with mid-ocean ridges are configured as
concentric circles about a rising plume of hot mantle rocks and magma
reversed magnetizations along the rift valleys and normal magnetizations along the ridge
normal and reversed magnetized strips roughly parallel to the ridge
normal and reversed magnetized strips roughly perpendicular to the ridge axis
normal and reversed magnetized strips roughly parallel to the ridge
Deep-oceanic trenches are most abundant around the rim of the _____ocean basin.
Atlantic
Indian
Arctic
Pacific
Pacific
Cooler, older, oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at
subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries
transform fault zones along divergent plate boundaries
rift zones along mid-ocean ridges
sites of long-lived, hot spot volcanism in the ocean basins
subduction zones along convergent plate boundaries
Which one of the following most accurately describes the volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands?
stratovolcanoes associated with subduction and a convergent plate boundary
shield volcanoes fed by a Long-Lived hot spot below the Pacific Lithospheric plate
shield volcanoes associated with a mid-Pacific ridge and spreading center
stratovolcanoes associated with a mid-Pacific transform fault
shield volcanoes fed by a Long-Lived hot spot below the Pacific Lithospheric plate
Which of the following statements apply to the asthenosphere, but not the lithosphere?
zone in the upper mantle that deforms by plastic flowage
cool, rigid Layer of crust and upper mantle that forms the tectonic plates
deforms mainly by brittle fracturing and faulting
partial melting of rising granitic plumes produces huge volumes of basaltic magma
zone in the upper mantle that deforms by plastic flowage
The volcanoes and deep valleys of east Africa are related to a
continental rift along which parts of the African continent are beginning to slowly separate
fault allowing Arabia to slip westward past east Africa and penetrate into Turkey
transform fault aligned with the Red Sea carrying the Arabian and African blocks in opposite directions
continental collision zone between Africa and the Zagros Mountains along the southern margin of Eurasia
continental rift along which parts of the African continent are beginning to slowly separate
Early results of the Deep Sea Drilling Project clearly justified the conclusion that
the oceans have not always contained most of Earth’s water
the ocean basins are relatively young; most ocean basin rocks and sediments are Cretaceous or younger in
age
Proterozoic rocks are found only as seamounts in the deepest parts of the ocean basins
the youngest sediments were deposited directly on the oldest seafloor basalts
the ocean basins are relatively young; most ocean basin rocks and sediments are Cretaceous or younger in
age
The Himalayan Mountains are the tectonic product of a collision between India and Eurasia that began in Eocene time and still continues.
True
False
True
New oceanic crust and lithosphere are formed at
divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of rhyolitic magma
convergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of rhyolitic magma
divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma
convergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma
divergent boundaries by submarine eruptions and intrusions of basaltic magma
An extensive, late Paleozoic glaciation affected southern India, southern Africa and southeastern South America.
True
False
True
In general, rocks of the continental crust are Less dense than rocks of the oceanic crust.
True
False
True
Which one of the following is an important fundamental assumption underlying the plate tectonic theory?
Earth’s magnetic field originates in the outer core.
Earth’s diameter has been essentially constant over time.
Radioactive decay slows down at the extreme pressures of the inner core.
Earth’s ocean basins are very old and stable features.
Earth’s diameter has been essentially constant over time.
Calcite and halite react with dilute acids to evolve carbon dioxide.
True
False
False
What mineral is the hardest known substance in nature?
silicate
native gold
diamond
muscovite
diamond
How do the electrons behave in a mineral with metallic bonding?
They are tightly bound to certain atoms and cannot readily move.
They can move relatively easily from atom to atom inside the mineral.
They react with protons to make neutrons in the outer valence shells.
They move to adjacent negative ions, forming positive ions.
They can move relatively easily from atom to atom inside the mineral.
Which of the following best characterizes ferromagnesian silicates?
They contain iron and magnetite, are black in color, and they have metallic lusters.
They are black to dark-green silicate minerals containing iron and magnesium.
They contain magnetite and ferroite, and they are clear to Light green.
They are mostly clear, colorless, and rich in the elements magnesium and ferrium.
They are black to dark-green silicate minerals containing iron and magnesium.
Nonmetallic minerals like quartz and gypsum have no industrial uses.
True
False
False
Which of the following best defines a mineral and a rock?
A rock has an orderly, repetitive, geometrical, internal arrangement of minerals; a mineral is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of rocks.
A mineral consists of its constituent atoms arranged in a geometrically repetitive structure; in a rock, the atoms are randomly bonded without any geometric pattern.
In a mineral the constituent atoms are bonded in a regular, repetitive, internal structure; a rock is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of different mineral grains.
A rock consists of atoms bonded in a regular, geometrically predictable arrangement; a mineral is a consolidated aggregate of different rock particles.
In a mineral the constituent atoms are bonded in a regular, repetitive, internal structure; a rock is a lithified or consolidated aggregate of different mineral grains.
Which carbonate mineral reacts readily with cool, dilute hydrochloric acid to produce visible bubbles of carbon dioxide gas?
calcite
quartz
dolomite
plagioclase
calcite
Which one of the following describes a mineral’s response to mechanical impact?
luster
cleavage
streak
crystal form
cleavage
Which of the following minerals is a silicate?
hematite
muscovite
calcite
halite
muscovite
Which of the following is correct for isotopes of the same element?
The atoms have different numbers of protons and the same number of neutrons.
The atoms have the same number of electrons and different numbers of protons.
The atoms have different numbers of neutrons and the same number of protons.
The atoms have different numbers of electrons but the same number of neutrons.
The atoms have different numbers of neutrons and the same number of protons.
In which type of chemical bonding are electrons shared between adjacent atoms?
ionic
subatomic
covalent
isotopic
covalent
Atoms of the same element, zinc for example, have the
same number of electrons in the nucleus
protons in the nucleus
neutrons in the outer nuclear shell
electrons in the valence bond level
protons in the nucleus
All silicate minerals contain which two elements?
iron, silicon
silicon, sodium
oxygen, carbon
silicon, oxygen
silicon, oxygen
Which one of the following is a typical product of weathering?
micas
ferromagnesians
feldspars
clays
clays
Which of the following has the highest specific gravity?
wood
water
gold
quartz
gold
A(n) texture represents a single, Long period of cooling and crystallization.
glassy
pyroclastic
aphanitic
phaneritic
phaneritic
Consider the Bowen’s reaction series. Which mineral would you expect to see as a phenocryst in a porphyritic basalt?
olivine
quartz
orthoclase
sodium-rich plagioclase
olivine
___ is thought to be common in the Earth’s mantle but rare in the crust?
Pumice
Granite
Pegmatite
Peridotite
Peridotite
A is an open cavity in a volcanic rock that was filled by a gas bubble when the Lava was still mainly Liquid.
porphyrocryst
vesicle
phenocryst
xenocryst
vesicle
Bowen’s reaction series predicts the sizes of the different mineral grains that grow from crystallizing magmas.
True
False
False
Peg matites are smaller volume, intrusive bodies with glassy textures.
True
False
False
WITH PICTURE
magma cools and consolidates without growth of mineral grains
Answer: Minerals do grow when magma cools and consolidates.
___ often contain gem-quality crystals of minerals such as beryl and tourmaline and high concentrations of
relatively rare elements such as Lithium, boron, and beryllium?
Welded tuff sheets
Basaltic lavas
Granitic pegmatites
Diorite plutons
Granitic pegmatites
Which of the following minerals crystallize early in Bowen’s reaction series?
biotite
quartz
olivine
muscovite
olivine
The sizes, shapes, and arrangements of mineral grains in an igneous rock are known as
silica content
texture
mineral content
Bowen’s reaction series
texture
Olivine and quartz commonly crystallize together from mafic or basaltic magmas.
True
False
False
___ is named fora prominent, volcanic mountain range in western South America.
Basalt
Andesite
Pegmatite
Peridotite
Andesite
Which of the following best describes an aphanitic texture?
The rock is crystalline; mineral grains are too small to be visible without a magnifying Lens or microscope.
The mineral grains have glassy textures.
The rock consists of broken, volcanic-rock and mineral fragments.
The rock is crystalline; mineral grains are of distinctly different sizes.
The rock is crystalline; mineral grains are too small to be visible without a magnifying Lens or microscope.
The last minerals to crystallize on Bowen’s Reaction Series result in igneous rocks with a___ composition.
felsic
intermediate
mafic
ultramafic
felsic
___ destroyed the city of St. Pierre, Martinique in 1902.
Mudflows
Basaltic Lava flows
Heavy ashfall
A nuee ardente
A nuee ardente
Basaltic Lavas are generally hotter and more viscous than andesite Lavas.
True
False
False
Which kind of volcanism is typical of mid-oceanic ridge systems?
explosive; composite cones
submarine; basaltic lava flows
fissure eruptions; flood basalts fields
explosive; rhyolitic, pyroclastic flows
submarine; basaltic lava flows
Which of the following best describes seamounts and islands of the deep ocean basins?
Huge granite bathoLiths intruded beneath the ocean floor.
Piles of basaltic Lava flows built up from the ocean floor by multiple, summit and flank eruptions.
Andesitic pyroclastic rocks submerged when the mountains sank below sea Level.
Domed gabbro intrusions and massive, submarine, rhyolitic, pyroclastic cones.
Piles of basaltic Lava flows built up from the ocean floor by multiple, summit and flank eruptions.
Which of the following is associated with deep mantle hot spots?
Vesuvius and the other volcanoes of Italy
the volcanoes of Hawaii and Quaternary activity in Yellowstone National Park
the very young cinder cones scattered across the southwestern United States
Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes of the Cascade Mountains
the volcanoes of Hawaii and Quaternary activity in Yellowstone National Park
The Columbia Plateau in Washington and Oregon is
a flood basalt plateau
a thick stack of welded-tuff layers
a caldera filled with rhyolite lava flows
a field of Large stratovolcanoes
a flood basalt plateau
Which of the following statements best describes the big Hawaiian volcanoes?
They Lie directly above a transform plate boundary that cuts deeply into the mantle.
They lie directly above an active subduction zone where the Pacific plate is sinking into the mantle.
They Lie along the crest of the East Pacific Rise, a mid-ocean ridge or spreading center.
They are situated in the interior of a Large, Pacific plate above a hot spot deep in the mantle.
They are situated in the interior of a Large, Pacific plate above a hot spot deep in the mantle.
The recent (geologically) volcanic activity in Yellowstone National Park is
related to plate subduction
related to a divergent plate boundary
related to a transform plate boundary
related to intraplate, hot spot volcanism
related to intraplate, hot spot volcanism
Which kind of eruptive activity is most Likely to be highly explosive?
Lava flows from a Large shield volcano on an oceanic island
fissure eruptions feeding Lava to flood basalt accumulations
lava flows from a large cinder cone complex
eruptions of big, continental margin, composite cones or stratovolcanoes
lava flows from a large cinder cone complex
eruptions of big, continental margin, composite cones or stratovolcanoes
Which one of the following best describes volcanism in the Cascade Range, northwestern United States?
related to a mantle hot spot
related to plate subduction
related to a mid-oceanic ridge system
related to deep, transform faults
related to plate subduction
The average composition of rocks comprising a large composite cone or stratovolcano is similar to a(n) magma.
basaltic
ultramafic
andesitic
rhyolitic
andesitic
Which statement about the May, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens is false?
During the eruptive period, the mountain peak was substantially built up by new lava flows and pyrocLastic debris.
Plumes of ash rose high into the atmosphere during the major eruptive events.
Mudflows accompanied the major eruptive events.
The most powerful explosive event was preceded by a massive landslide.
During the eruptive period, the mountain peak was substantially built up by new lava flows and pyrocLastic debris.
Pockets of magmas can be formed by the melting of deep continental crust heated by the intrusion of other magmas. Which of the following correctly describes this process?
Intrusion of basaltic magma causes deep crustal rocks to melt, producing andesitic or rhyoLitic magmas.
Intruded rhyolite magma causes basalt magma to form by melting of granite.
Intrusion of diorite magma causes basalt magma to melt from peridotite.
ALL of these correctly describe the process.
Intrusion of basaltic magma causes deep crustal rocks to melt, producing andesitic or rhyoLitic magmas.
Which region has the greatest concentration of currently active volcanoes?
the coastal plain of western Africa
European Russia and Siberia
the area surrounding the Red Sea
the circum-Pacific area
the circum-Pacific area
What volcanic events formed Crater Lake, Oregon? When did they take place?
A powerful explosion blew away the top of a stratovolcano; 10 million years ago.
The crater of a Large, extinct cinder cone filled with water; 5 million years ago.
Landslides and volcanic mudfLows dammed the Mazama River; 500 years ago.
CaLdera collapse followed major ash and pyroclastic-flow eruptions; 6000 years ago.
CaLdera collapse followed major ash and pyroclastic-flow eruptions; 6000 years ago.
Clay minerals formed from gabbro or diorite bedrock illustrate which kind of weathering?
chemical
proactive
syntropical
mechanical
chemical
What two chemical constituents cannot form by chemical weathering of the feldspar minerals?
soluble sodium and potassium bicarbonates
insoluble iron oxides and soluble magnesium
bicarbonates
silica and insoluble clay minerals
silica and soluble calcium bicarbonate
insoluble iron oxides and soluble magnesium
bicarbonates
The solum or true soil includes all horizons above the C-horizon.
True
False
True
Which of the following statements concerning humus is not true?
Humus is typically found above the B soil horizon.
Humus consists of decaying and partly decayed leaves and other plant materials.
Humus is readily leached from the B horizon in weakly acidic, soil solutions.
Humus is less abundant in wet, tropical, forested areas than in temperate, forested areas.
Humus is readily leached from the B horizon in weakly acidic, soil solutions.
Like most other liquids, water decreases in volume when it freezes.
True
False
False
What two factors speed up rates of chemical reaction and weathering in rocks and soils?
low temperatures; very dry
low temperatures; very moist
high temperatures; very dry
warm temperatures; very moist
warm temperatures; very moist
Assume that water filling a crack in a rock undergoes cycles of freezing and melting. Which of the following statement is true?
Water expands as it melts, causing the crack walls to be pushed apart.
Water shrinks as it freezes, causing the crack walls to be drawn closer together.
Water expands as it freezes, causing the crack walls to be pushed apart.
Water shrinks as it melts, causing the crack walls to be pulled closer together.
Water expands as it freezes, causing the crack walls to be pushed apart.
In the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, north-facing slopes (downhill direction is toward the north) are typically more moist and heavily forested than south-facing slopes. Why?
North-facing slopes receive more sunlight in the summer; snow melts faster and more soil moisture is available for the trees.
South-facing slopes receive more moisture and sunlight; rock weathering is slower.
North-facing slopes receive about the same amount of precipitation as south-facing slopes; less moisture evaporates from north-facing slopes.
South-facing slopes receive less moisture, yet rock weathering is faster.
North-facing slopes receive about the same amount of precipitation as south-facing slopes; less moisture evaporates from north-facing slopes.
Lateritic soils form under what climatic conditions?
warm and moist as in a wet, tropical forest
cool and relatively dry as in the northern Great Plains of the United States
hot and dry as in the desert regions of North Africa and Arabia
moist and temperate as in the northeastern United States
warm and moist as in a wet, tropical forest
Clay minerals, silica (Si02), and dissolved potassium bicarbonate in the soil water are products of which process?
chemical weathering of olivine and plagioclase feldspar
mechanical weathering of granite and rhyolite
chemical weathering of orthoclase feldspar
differential mechanical weathering of micas
chemical weathering of orthoclase feldspar
Sheeting fractures and exfoliation domes commonly develop in areas with soft, highly fractured bedrock.
True
False
True
In which area would weathering by frost wedging probably be most effective?
in a moist, tropical forest
in cool high desert areas
where the subsoil is permanently frozen
in moist, temperate climates
in moist, temperate climates
Which term describes a soil formed by weathering of the underlying bedrock?
transformational
residual
relict
transported
residual
What mineral particles are the dominant coloring agents in reddish, brownish, and yellowish soils?
soluble potassium and sodium bicarbonates
humus and calcium carbonate
very fine-sized, silica and calcite particles
dust-sized grains of iron oxides
dust-sized grains of iron oxides
Which one of the following statements best describes erosion?
Erosion is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks and minerals at the surface.
Erosion is the movement of weathered rock and regolith toward the base of a slope.
Erosion is the process by which weathered rock and mineral particles are removed from one area and transported elsewhere.
Erosion is the combined processes of Leaching, eluviation, and mass wasting.
Erosion is the process by which weathered rock and mineral particles are removed from one area and transported elsewhere.
Which of the following sedimentary features can each be used to determine paleocurrent directions?
mud cracks and ripple marks
ripple marks and cross stratification
fossils and mud cracks
grain size sorting and ripple marks
ripple marks and cross stratification
Detrital sedimentary rocks have clastic textures.
True
False
True
Graywacke sandstones are typically better sorted than sandstones lithified from ancient beach sands.
True
False
False
___ are further concentrated in a residual brine after NaCL is crystallized.
Iron, sodium, and chlorine
Magnesium, calcium, and sulfur
Calcium, sulfur, and titanium
Potassium, magnesium, and bromine
Potassium, magnesium, and bromine
___ cement produces bright-red and yellow colors in some sandstone.
Clay
Calcite
Quartz
Iron oxide
Iron oxide
A feldspar-rich sandstone is called an arkose.
True
False
True
Sedimentary rocks account for about what percentage of the Earth’s outermost 10 kilometers of rock (first percentage). Also, what percentage of the Earth’s continental area is covered by sedimentary rocks (second percentage)?
5% &; 75%
3.5% &; 100%
65% &; 10%
85% &; 100%
5% & 75%
Clay and muddy sediments Lithify to form shales and mudstones.
True
False
True
What is the chemical formula for dolomite, the major mineral in doLostones?
NaCl
ca5o4 42H20
Si02
CaMg(CO3)2
CaMg(CO3)2
Which type of sediment undergoes the most compaction as it lithifies to sedimentary rocks?
marine mud
desert dune sand
reef limestone
coarse gravel
marine mud
Oolitic limestone is most Likely to form in what type of depositional environment?
quiet, muddy, Lagoons and bays
shallow, clear, marine waters with vigorous current activity
deep, marine waters below most wave action
acidic, organic-rich waters in freshwater swamps and bogs
shallow, clear, marine waters with vigorous current activity
Peat is thought to be the original material from which coals are formed.
True
False
True
Flint, chert, and jasper are microcrystalline forms of
quartz; (Si02)
hematite (Fe203)
halite (NaCL)
calcite (CaCO3)
quartz; (Si02)
a common mineral found in igneous rocks, is the most abundant mineral in detrital sedimentary rocks.
Calcite
Orthoclase
Quartz
B iotite
Quartz
___ sandstone contains abundant feldspar, suggesting that the sand was derived by weathering and erosion of
granitic bedrock.
Quartz-rich
Lignitic
Arkosic
Oolitic
Arkosic
Which of the following rocks changes from shale in low-grade metamorphic environments?
fault breccia
migmatite
slate
foliated hornfels
migmatite