Geology Test: Flashcards
Define principle of uniformity
the scientific thought that past processes are no different than processes today; meaning everything happens by gradual process over very long periods of time.
Define principle of catastrophe
the scientific thought that sees evidence of rapid, highly energetic events over short periods of time, doing a lot of geologic work
Define erosion
the process by which soil and rock are worn away
Define petrification
the process by which trees, plants, and even animals are solidified by burial in hot, silica-rich water
Define turbidite
an underwater, rapid deposition of mud which hardens into a layer of rock
Define gastrolith
rounded stones which were used by plant-eating dinosaurs to aid in digestion and sometimes found with fossilized remains
Define fumaroles
an opening in the earth’s crust, usually associated with volcanic activity
Define metamorphism
a process of heat and pressure that causes one rock to alter into another
Define magnetic field
a field that exerts forces on objects made of magnetic materials; made up of many lines of force
Define sediment
natural materials broken down by processes of erosion and weathering; can be transported or deposited by water or wind.
Define the Second Law of science
also referred to as the second law of thermodynamics, which states that in every process or reaction in the universe the components deteriorate
Define Fountains of the deep
a phrase mentioned in Genesis 7 as a reference to sources of water as part of the Great Flood of Noah
Define Glacier
a huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land
Define volcanism
the eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the surface of the earth
There are two ways of thinking about the unobserved past. What are they?
Uniformity - the present is the key to the past; Catastrophe - highly energetic events operated over short periods of time and did much geologic work rapidly
What are the main “zones” into which the earth is divided?
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
What four events had the greatest impact in shaping the earth’s geology?
Creation, the Fall, Flood, Ice Age
What is the main condition required for a fossil to form?
the organism must be buried rapidly, protected from scavengers and from decomposition by bacteria and chemicals
What factors influence whether a rock will bend or break?
whether it is soft or brittle, how deep it is buried
What conclusion can be drawn about the age of the earth from the various dating methods
a majority of methods used to age-date the earth yield far less than the acclaimed billions of years
How did the creation affect the earth’s geology?
formed the cores of the continents; some erosion and deposition probably happened
Why do we find ocean fossils near the top of Mt. Everest?
The top of Mount Everest was once underwater and was later pushed up after the Flood waters receded
What caused the Ice Age
the warm ocean waters rapidly evaporated and condensed over the colder continents causing a buildup of ice and snow
What was the cause of the global Flood?
God sent the Flood as a judgement on the wickedness of mankind.