Geology Test:

Question 1

Define principle of uniformity

Answer 1

the scientific thought that past processes are no different than processes today; meaning everything happens by gradual process over very long periods of time.

Question 2

Define principle of catastrophe

Answer 2

the scientific thought that sees evidence of rapid, highly energetic events over short periods of time, doing a lot of geologic work

Question 3

Define erosion

Answer 3

the process by which soil and rock are worn away

Question 4

Define petrification

Answer 4

the process by which trees, plants, and even animals are solidified by burial in hot, silica-rich water

Question 5

Define turbidite

Answer 5

an underwater, rapid deposition of mud which hardens into a layer of rock

Question 6

Define gastrolith

Answer 6

rounded stones which were used by plant-eating dinosaurs to aid in digestion and sometimes found with fossilized remains

Question 7

Define fumaroles

Answer 7

an opening in the earth’s crust, usually associated with volcanic activity

Question 8

Define metamorphism

Answer 8

a process of heat and pressure that causes one rock to alter into another

Question 9

Define magnetic field

Answer 9

a field that exerts forces on objects made of magnetic materials; made up of many lines of force

Question 10

Define sediment

Answer 10

natural materials broken down by processes of erosion and weathering; can be transported or deposited by water or wind.

Question 11

Define the Second Law of science

Answer 11

also referred to as the second law of thermodynamics, which states that in every process or reaction in the universe the components deteriorate

Question 12

Define Fountains of the deep

Answer 12

a phrase mentioned in Genesis 7 as a reference to sources of water as part of the Great Flood of Noah

Question 13

Define Glacier

Answer 13

a huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land

Question 14

Define volcanism

Answer 14

the eruption of molten rock (magma) onto the surface of the earth

Question 15

There are two ways of thinking about the unobserved past. What are they?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the main “zones” into which the earth is divided?

Answer 16

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Question 17

What four events had the greatest impact in shaping the earth’s geology?

Answer 17

Creation, the Fall, Flood, Ice Age

Question 18

What is the main condition required for a fossil to form?

Answer 18

the organism must be buried rapidly, protected from scavengers and from decomposition by bacteria and chemicals

Question 19

What factors influence whether a rock will bend or break?

Answer 19

whether it is soft or brittle, how deep it is buried

Question 20

What conclusion can be drawn about the age of the earth from the various dating methods

Answer 20

a majority of methods used to age-date the earth yield far less than the acclaimed billions of years

Question 21

How did the creation affect the earth’s geology?

Answer 21

formed the cores of the continents; some erosion and deposition probably happened

Question 22

Why do we find ocean fossils near the top of Mt. Everest?

Answer 22

The top of Mount Everest was once underwater and was later pushed up after the Flood waters receded

Question 23

What caused the Ice Age

Answer 23

the warm ocean waters rapidly evaporated and condensed over the colder continents causing a buildup of ice and snow

Question 24

What was the cause of the global Flood?

Answer 24

God sent the Flood as a judgement on the wickedness of mankind.

Question 25

How was Grand Canyon formed?

Answer 25

At the end of Noah’s flood it appears that a great volume of water was trapped, held in place by the Kaibab Upwarp. Ice Age rains filled the lake to overflowing and as it burst through its mountain “dam,” the huge volume of lake waters carved the canyon.

Question 26

How did Niagara Falls form?

Answer 26

The level of water in Lake Erie is somewhat higher than the elevation of nearby Lake Ontario. A river draining the waters of Lake Erie into Lake Ontario runs over the Niagara escarpment, resulting in a spectacular set of falls. Erosion takes place as the water roars over the falls, and the escarpment naturally recedes toward Lake Erie.

Question 27

Why are the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains so different?

Answer 27

Both mountain chains are the result of layers of sediments deposited by Noah’s flood. The Appalachians buckled up in the early stages of the flood and were subjected to massive erosion by continuing flood waters. The Rocky Mountains buckled up late in the flood, extending up above the flood waters as the waters drained off. Thus, the erosion to which they were subjected was much less intense.

Question 28

How long does it take to form petrified wood?

Answer 28

Petrified wood can form, under laboratory conditions, in a very short period of time. The speed of petrification is related to the pressures which inject the hot silica-rich waters into wood.

Question 29

Which category of rocks does Granite belong to?

Answer 29

Igneous

Question 30

Which category of rocks does Marble belong to?

Answer 30

Metamorphic

Question 31

Which category of rocks does Shale belong to?

Answer 31

Classic Sedimentary

Question 32

Which category of rocks does Limestone belong to?

Answer 32

Organic Chemical Sedentary

Question 33

Which category of rocks does Coal belong to?

Answer 33

Organic Chemical Sedentary

Question 34

Which category of rocks does Rhyolite belong to?

Answer 34

Igneous

Question 35

Which category of rocks does Slate belong to?

Answer 35

Metamorphic

Question 36

Describe how sedimentary rocks are formed.

Answer 36

First, layers of sediment are deposited. The weight of the water and the sediments on top begin to compact the sediments underneath. Next, warm water circulates throughout the sediments and dissolves certain minerals. The dissolved minerals surround the individual grains of sediment. Finally, when the water cools off and stops moving, the dissolved minerals act as a “glue” that cements the grains of sediment together to form sedimentary rock.

Question 37

Describe how metamorphic rocks are thought to form.

Answer 37

Heat and pressure recrystallize the minerals in rock into new mineral combinations. Some believe it happened over long periods of time; others believe it happened over short periods of time.

Question 38

Explain the process of carbon dating in determining when a plant died.

Answer 38

When a plant is living, it takes the isotope carbon 14 into its leaves, stems, and seeds. After the plant dies, the carbon 14 decays into nitrogen 14. Scientists can measure the amounts of both carbon 14 and carbon 12. Since they know the time it takes the isotope to decay, they can calculate when the plant died.