lecture FINAL Flashcards
igneous rock that has rapid cooling
basalt
Nonsilicate mineral
sulphur
Mafic silicate mineral
pyroxene
The most dominant rock associated with our continents
granite
Mineral that will form clay minerals as it weathers
potassium feldspar
Extrusive igneous feature associated with felsic, gaseous, material
composite volcano
intrusive igneous feature that crosscuts through country rock
dike
Extrusive igneous feature not particularly dangerous or explosive
shield volcano
Intrusive igneous feature that arches sedimentary rock
laccolith
First mineral to crystallize, according to Bowen’s Reaction Series
olivine
Vesicular igneous rock formed from felsic magma
pumice
Nonsilicate mineral in the carbonate group
dolomite
Mineral with sheet silicate structure
muscovite
Nonsilicate mineral in the native element group
graphite
Forms chain structures in cooling felsic magma
silica
discordant tabular intrusive igneous feature
dike
the most dominant rock associated with oceanic crust
basalt
Extrusive igneous feature associated with violent eruptions
composite volcano
First mineral to crystallize, according to Bowen’s Reaction Series
olivine
First mineral to crystallize, according to Bowen’s Reaction Series
olivine
The doctrine of ______ held that the major features of the surface of the earth were created by sudden, short-lived, violent events that no longer occur.
a. the big bang theory
b. plate tectonics
c. uniformitarianism
d. catastrophism
catastrophism
Which type of volcanic hazard consists of saturated volcanic material moving rapidly down a slope?
a. Volcanic ash
b. Lahar
c. Pyroclastic flow
d. Lava flow
lahar
The Earth’s internal heat engine causes hot rocks in the mantle to _____________, whereas colder rocks tend to _____________.
a. contract and rise; expand and sink
b. expand and rise; contract and sink
c. expand and sink; contract and rise
d. move laterally; stay stationary
expand and rise; contract and sink
Which of the following is not a force which drives plate motion?
a. Slab pull
b. Gravitational forces from the sun
c. Ridge push
d. Convective flow
gravitational forces from the sun
How long has the continental crust been evolving?
a. over the last 1 million years
b. over the last 2 billion years
c. over the last 4000 years
d. over the last 4 billion years
over the last 4 billion years
Where are the majority of transform faults located?
a. Southern California
b. On the ocean floor offsetting segments of oceanic ridge
c. Radiating from convergent boundaries as stress fractures
on the ocean floor offsetting segments of oceanic ridge
Which of the following is not a geologic hazard?
a. Poor construction materials cause a cracked foundation
b. Volcanic eruptions sending lava flows toward a city
c. Deforestation on a floodplain increasing the severity of river floods causing flooding of towns
d. An earthquake destroying a bridge
poor construction materials cause a cracked foundation
The ______ is characterized by physical properties and comprises the crust and uppermost mantle.
a. asthenosphere
b. lithosphere
c. outer core
d. inner core
lithosphere
What property of the crust allowed it to form as the exterior of Earth?
a. Magma at the surface cooled and crystallized before anything in the interior
b. Materials that make up the crust are less dense and rose to the top
c. Churning and upheaval in the interior thrust crustal rocks toward the surface
d. Meteorites impacting Earth deposited this material at the surface
materials that make up the crust are less dense and rose to the top
Which of the following elements is not abundant in the Earth’s crust?
a. oxygen
b. silicon
c. aluminum
d. uranium
uranium
The three major classes of rock are known as:
a. crustal, subcrustal, and transitional
b. sedimentary, igneous, and
metamorphic
c. volcanic, plutonic, and transitional
d. weathered, eroded, and cemented
sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic
Sedimentary rocks are formed from igneous rocks beginning with the process of _____.
a. erosion
b. crystallization
c. weathering
d. transportation
weathering
Which of the following is a type of lava flow that has a ropey, smooth surface?
a. Block lava flow
b. Pahoehoe flow
c. Pillow lava
d. Aa flow
pahoehoe flow
Which of the following textures would be the most common texture found in pillow lava?
a. Aphanitic
b. Pyroclastic
c. Porphyritic
d. Phaneritic
aphanitic
Which type of convergence will create a volcanic island arc?
a. Oceanic-Continental
b. Oceanic-Oceanic
c. Continental-Continental
d. Hydrosphere-Atmosphere
oceanic-oceanic
Which of the following would decrease the viscosity of magma?
a. An increase in the slope of the volcanic flank b. A decrease in silica content c. A decrease in temperature d. An increase in dissolved gasses
a decrease in silica content
________ is when iron particles in lavas align their magnetic fields with magnetic north, preserving a record of that pole’s location at that moment in time.
a. Mantle Plume
b. Paleomagnetism
c. Magnetic Reversal
d. Seafloor Spreading
paleomagnetism
. A ________ is a solid, naturally occurring, cohesive substance composed of minerals or mineral-like materials.
a. Tetrahedron
b. Mineral
c. Rock
d. Mixture
rock
_____ is a chemical weathering process which is accelerated by _____.
a. Oxidation; the presence of water
b. Oxidation; cool temperatures
c. Sheeting; ice
d. Frost wedging; cold temperatures
oxidation; the presence of water
What role does water have in the origin of magma within the earth?
a. Water reduces friction between atoms
b. Water reduces pressure on rock
c. Water reduces the melting point of rock
d. Water does not exist in rocks at depth within the earth
water reduces pressure on rock
Which mineral class makes up most igneous rocks?
a. Carbonates
b. Sulfides
c. Silicates
d. Halides
silicates
What is the charge of a single proton?
a. +1
b. -1
c. +2
d. -3
+1
Diamond and graphite are ______.
a. polymorphs
b. both composed of carbon atoms and the same hardness
c. polymorphs and the same hardness
d. polymorphs and both composed of carbon atoms
polymorphs and both composed of carbon atoms
A(n) ___ is a tentative explanation, whereas a(n) ____ has survived extensive scrutiny over many years and is in all likelihood true.
a. theory; observation
b. hypothesis; theory
c. theory; hypothesis
d. observation; hypothesis
hypothesis; theory
The Dust Bowl had profound ________.
a. psychological effects on people living in the areas affected b. wind erosion c. economic impacts d. all of the above
all of the above
Volcanic ash from an eruption settles on the ground and forms the volcanic rock _____.
a. pegmatite
b. tuff
c. volcanic breccias
d. basalt
tuff
Volcanic ash from an eruption settles on the ground and forms the volcanic rock _____.
a. pegmatite
b. tuff
c. volcanic breccias
d. basalt
tuff
true or false
Crystal settling can change the composition of a magma body
true
true or false
Parent material is the primary factor that causes differences among soils
false
true of false
a convergent plate boundary will always remain an area of plate convergence throughout geologic time
false
true or false
Wegener’s proposal that gravitational forces from the Sun and Moon could move continents was widely accepted by the scientific community
false
true or false
Mineral color is less reliable than streak color for mineral identification
true
true or false
Marble, which is composed of the mineral calcite, is easily dissolved by acid rain.
true
true or false
O, A, and C horizons make up the solum (true soil)
false
true or false
A mineral is solid, naturally occurring, and organic, with an unorderly crystalline structure, and definite chemical
composition.
false
true or false
Frost wedging and salt crystal growth are mechanical weathering agents which enlarge cracks in rock
true
true or false
The atmosphere is affected by volcanic eruptions
true
Which of the following textures would be the most common texture found in a batholith?
a. Aphanitic
b. Pyroclastic
c. Porphyritic
d. Phaneritic
phaneritic
James Hutton was a scientist who developed the idea of _______ to explain the slow, steady changes responsible for shaping the Earth.
a. Uniformity
b. The Big Bang Theory
c. Plate Tectonics
d. Uniformitarianism
uniformitarianism
Which type of volcanic hazard can decrease global temperatures?
a. Volcanic ash
b. Lahar
c. Pyroclastic flow
d. Lava flow
volcanic ash
A typical rate of seafloor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean is ________.
a. 2 meters per year
b. 20 feet per year
c. 2 centimeters per year
d. 5 miles per year
two centimeters per year
Earth is unique among terrestrial planets in that it________.
a. has liquid water at its surface
b. has an active system of (plate)
tectonics
c. supports a biosphere
d. all of these are unique attributes of
Earth
all of these are unique attributes of Earth
_____ are the two primary factors that affect the rate of weathering.
a. Climate and rock location
b. Water and rock type
c. Climate and rock type
d. Altitude and rock location
climate and rock type
The Earth’s lithosphere is comprised of the:
a. crust and uppermost mantle
b. core and mantle
c. asthenosphere
d. uppermost mantle
crust and uppermost mantle
_____ is a chemical weathering process which releases iron for oxidation.
a. Oxidation
b. Frost wedging
c. Biological activity
d. Hydrolysis
hydrolosis
Which type of convergence will result in a continental volcanic arc?
a. Oceanic-Continental
b. Oceanic-Oceanic
c. Continental-Continental
d. Hydrosphere-Atmosphere
oceanic continental
________ is a material’s resistance to flowing.
a. Viscosity
b. Volatiles
c. Composition
d. Quiescent
viscosity
________ bonding links silicon to oxygen atoms in a silica-oxygen tetrahedron.
a. Metallic
b. Ionic
c. Hybrid
d. Covalent
covalent
Select the choice below that best describes the role of volatiles in an ascending magma.
a. Volatiles will reduce the pressure
b. Volatiles will force the magma to contract as it rises
c. Volatiles will shatter surrounding rocks, making it easier for the magma to rise
d. Volatiles will expand with decreasing pressure, carrying the melt upward
will expand with decreasing pressure, carrying the melt upward
Steno’s Law refers to _____.
a. the way a mineral cleaves
b. the fact that angles between crystal faces are consistent for a specific mineral
c. the way a mineral fractures
d. the presence of water reducing the melting point of a rock
the fact that angles between crystal faces are consistent for a specific mineral
What is the source of Earth’s internal heat?
a. The sun
b. Radioactive breakdown
c. Leftover heat from Earth’s formation
d. b and c
b and c
Igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks derived from igneous “parents” make up what percentage of the
Earth’s crust?
a. 50%
b. 95%
c. 82%
d. 75%
95%
true or false
Magma is composed of mobile ions of elements, crystals of silicates, and volatiles
true
true or false
The jigsaw fit of the continents was used by Wegener to support the continental drift hypothesis
true
true or false
Dissolution is a physical weathering process
false
true or false
Sheet silicate structure will affect the cleavage properties of a mineral
true
true or false
Soil taxonomy is the process by which soil is eroded.
false
true or false
The four spheres on Earth operate independently from each other
false
Metamorphic rock with non-foliated texture
hornfels
Type of metamorphism involving continental collision
regional
Dating method used by archeologists
carbon 14
Earthquake hazard
landslides
Sedimentary rock composed of angular detrital fragments
breccia
Foliated metamorphic rock formed from mid-grade metamorphism
schist
Layer known as the “graveyard” of subducted oceanic lithosphere
D”
Sedimentary rock that exhibits fissility
shale
Flat topped seamount
guyot
Area where submarine canyons are found
continental slope
Which of the following is the term for the processes which collectively form a mountain belt?
a. diagenesis
b. thrust faulting
c. orogenesis
d. folding
orogenesis
Why is shale, the most abundant sedimentary rock, often overlooked in the landscape?
a. Soil doesn’t form well from shale
b. Shale is darker in color and blends in
c. Shale is less resistant to weathering and forms gentle slopes
d. Shale looks like limestone and sandstone
shale is less resistant to weathering and forms gentle slopes
________ is a high grade foliated metamorphic rock while _______ is the highest grade of metamorphic rock.
a. Slate; gneiss
b. Gneiss; migmatite
c. Shale; gneiss
d. Gneiss; phyllite
gneiss, migmatite
Which of the following agents of metamorphism would create a foliated metamorphic rock?
a. Differential stress
b. Confining pressure
c. Chemically active fluids
d. Heat
differential stress
A Benioff earthquake zone is significant in plate tectonics theory because it:
a. locates rift valleys on continents
b. traces the descent of subducting sea-floor lithospheric slabs
c. indicates the location of magma chambers
d. coincides with mid-oceanic ridges
traces the descent of sea-floor lithospheric slabs
If increasing heat and pressure change bituminous coal into anthracite, the rock has changed from a(n) __________ rock into a(n) _________ rock.
a. black; purple
b. sedimentary; metamorphic
c. igneous, metamorphic
d. sedimentary; igneous
sedimentary; metamorphic
Forms when a subducting oceanic plate is very cold, old, and dense.
a. accretionary wedge
b. deep ocean trench
c. passive margin
d. shallow ocean trench
deep ocean trench
In what kind of environment would a conglomerate form?
a. Beach
b. Stream valley
c. Alluvial fan
d. All of the above
all of the above
Which of the following geologic formations is the oldest?
a. K
b. F
c. C
d. L
C
Which of the following geologic events is the youngest?
a. Deposition of H
b. Faulting at J
c. Deposition of B
d. Erosion between formations F and E
faulting at J
The fault labeled J in the cross section is what kind of fault?
a. Dip-slip Normal
b. Dip-slip Reverse
c. Strike-slip Normal
d. Strike-slip Reverse
dip-slip reverse
The unconformity in the areas above formation E is an example of what type of unconformity?
a. Angular unconformity
b. Nonconformity
c. Disconformity
d. Inconformity
disconformity
You know that dike M must be younger than pluton K because of which geologic principle?
a. Superposition
b. Original Horizontality
c. Inclusions
d. Cross cutting relationships
cross cutting relationships
Which of the following is not a method by which heat flows or is generated within the Earth?
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radioactive decay
d. Radiation
radiation
What is the primary difficulty in assigning NUMERICAL dates to the geologic time scale?
a. Not all rocks can be relatively age dated
b. Not all rocks have fossils
c. Not all rocks can be dated by numerical methods
d. Not all rocks are subject to the rule of superposition
not all rocks can be dated by numerical methods
Earth’s magnetic field is generated by which of the following?
a. Convection cells within the mantle
b. Subducting oceanic crust
c. Spiraling flow in the liquid outer core
d. The Earth doesn’t have a magnetic field
spiraling flow in the liquid outer core
Which of the following could make up the material that forms a chemical sedimentary rock?
a. Gravel and sand
b. Interbedded rock gypsum and rock salt
c. Shell fragments
d. Bituminous coal
interbedded rock gypsum and rock salt
Which factor contributes to ductile deformation?
a. High confining pressure
b. Low confining pressure
c. Low temperature
d. Rapid application of differential stress
high confining pressure
What type of structure is shown in the geologic block diagram to the right? a. Anticline b. Syncline c. Dome d. Monocline
monocline
________ accounts for greater ocean depths moving away from the oceanic ridge toward the deep ocean basin.
a. Thermal expansion
b. Thermal contraction
c. Convection
d. Conduction
thermal contraction
In a ________ fault, the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall because of _______ stress.
a. reverse; compressional
b. normal; compressional
c. reverse; tensional
d. normal; tensional
normal; tensional
If each formation on the map is a different Period, what is the MOST likely age of the rocks in the center of the structure (darkest color on the map)?
a. Cambrian
b. Permian
c. Tertiary
d. Pennsylvanian
permian
What type of geologic structure is shown in the geologic map?
a. Plunging Anticline
b. Plunging Syncline
c. Normal Fault
d. Reverse Fault
plunging anticline
Which of the following best describes the general relationship between the velocity of seismic waves and depth in Earth?
a. The velocity of seismic waves is the same until they reach the outer core, when they speed up.
b. The velocity of seismic waves decreases through rigid material
c. The velocity of seismic waves generally decreases with depth.
d. The velocity of seismic waves generally increases with depth
the velocity of seismic waves generally increases with depth
Which of the following might be seen where strike-slip movement has occurred?
a. A fault scarp
b. Mountains from the upward motion of the footwall
c. A large region of subsidence from the hanging wall block moving down
d. Offset fences
offset fences
What are the characteristics of an index fossil?
a. Found only in small geographic areas and over short time spans
b. Found only in large geographic areas and over short time spans
c. Found only in large geographic areas and over long time spans
d. Found only in small geographic areas and over long time spans
found only in large geographic areas and over short time spans
In an ophiolite complex, what is the composition of the layer above the sheeted dike complex?
a. Gabbro
b. Pillow basalt
c. Deep sea sediments and sedimentary rocks
d. Limestone
pillow basalt
How do geologists infer the orientation of rock structures that are mainly below Earth’s surface?
a. Geologists dig mines underground to directly study the orientation of rock layers.
b. After measuring the strike and dip of several outcrops within an area, geologists graphically present
these data in the form of geologic maps.
c. Geologists only describe rock structures that they can see and say that there is no data for rock
structures that cannot directly be seen.
d. Geologists drill a core into several layers of rock strata every few feet and then sketch a cross section of
underground rock layers by comparing the cores.
after measuring the strike and dip of several outcrops within an area, geologists graphically present these data in the form of geologic maps
Generally speaking, which seismic waves will have the smallest amplitude on a seismogram and will arrive first to a seismic station?
a. P-waves
b. S-waves
c. Surface waves
d. Surf waves
p-waves
The highest magnitude earthquakes typically occur ______.
a. at divergent plate boundaries
b. on megathrust faults
c. near oceanic ridges
d. in the stable interior of continents
on megathrust faults
true or false
Index minerals can be used to understand the temperature and pressure conditions during metamorphism.
true
true or false
The record of life in geologic past is not biased because all kinds of organisms are preserved in sedimentary rock.
false
true or false
The inference that the Earth’s outer core is liquid comes
from surface wave shadow zones
false
true or false
Brazil’s steel industry was encouraged to switch from using coal to using charcoal because charcoal from plantation forests is carbon neutral and analysts thought the change would improve the environment.
true
true or false
An asymmetrical fold has limbs that are mirror images of
each other
false
true or false
The epicenter is the location on the surface of the Earth
directly above the hypocenter of an earthquake.
true
true or false
The first sign of a tsunami’s approach is a rapid retreat of water from the shoreline
true
true or false
Normal faults are associated with basin and range
topography
true
true or false
Paleoseismology allows geologists to make accurate shortrange earthquake predictions.
false
true or false
Metamorphic rocks formed around an intrusive magma
body via contact metamorphism have varying degrees of thickness and composition.
true
Metamorphic rock with non-foliated texture
marble
Type of metamorphism involving meteorites
impact
Especially hazardous to man-made earthen dams
seiches
Sedimentary rock which is composed of calcite
limestone
Island feature indicative of a volcano subsiding
atoll
Boundary between the crust and the mantle
moho
Zone where two continents are welded together
suture
Area that accumulates deep–sea fan deposits
continental rise
Deep features associated with convergent plate boundaries
deep ocean trenches
Which of the following makes up the sediment that forms an organic sedimentary rock?
a. Gravel and sand
b. Shells and plant fibers
c. Dissolved minerals
d. Weathered ions
shells and plant fibers
________ is a low grade foliated metamorphic rock and _______ is a high grade foliated metamorphic rock.
a. Schist; gneiss
b. Gneiss; slate
c. Shale; slate
d. Slate; gneiss
slate; gneiss
Which of the following methods of transportation will result in the coarsest sorting (poorest sorting)?
a. Waves on a beach
b. Streams
c. Glaciers
d. Wind
glaciers
Which of the following best describes the appearance and composition of a conglomerate?
a. Angular fragments; well sorted
b. Rounded fragments; poorly sorted
c. Angular fragments; poorly sorted
d. Rounded fragments; well sorted
rounded fragments; poorly sorted
Which of the following does not describe the texture of nonclastic chemical sedimentary rocks?
a. Sandy
b. Crystalline
c. Microcrystalline
d. Evaporite
sandy
Which of the following geologic formations is the
oldest?
a. A
b. B
c. L
d. E
E
picture ^
Which of the following geologic events is the
youngest?
a. Deposition of E
b. Erosion at S
c. Intrusion of B
d. Faulting at F
erosion at S
What type of fault (at F) is shown in the cross section?
a. Dip-slip Normal
b. Dip-slip Reverse
c. Strike-slip Normal
d. Strike-slip Reverse
dip-slip normal
The erosional surface at G is an example of what type of unconformity?
a. Angular unconformity
b. Nonconformity
c. Disconformity
d. Inconformity
angular unconformity
Which of the following diagrams shows how foliation could develop in a rock due to compression (the compression is shown with arrows)?
A
Which type of metamorphism will be generated by confining pressure?
a. Contact
b. Hydrothermal
c. Burial
d. Regional
burial
Metamorphism can lead to changes in ______.
a. Mineralogy
b. Texture
c. Chemical Composition
d. All of the above
all of the above
If increasing heat and pressure change bituminous coal into anthracite, the rock has changed from a(n) __________ rock into a(n) _________ rock.
a. black; purple
b. sedimentary; metamorphic
c. igneous, metamorphic
d. sedimentary; igneous
sedimentary; metamorphic
Which conditions favor fossil preservation?
a. The organism is made of only soft parts and was buried slowly
b. The organism has hard parts and was buried slowly
c. The organism has hard parts and was buried quickly
d. The organism is made of only soft parts and was buried quickly
the organism has hard parts and was buried quickly
What are the three types of sedimentary rocks?
a. detrital, organic, porphyritic
b. intrusive, extrusive, felsic
c. detrital, chemical, organic
d. foliated, nonfoliated, contact
detrital, chemical, organic
What is the primary difficulty in assigning NUMERICAL dates to the geologic time scale?
a. Not all rocks can be relatively age dated
b. Not all rocks have fossils
c. Not all rocks can be dated by numerical methods
d. Not all rocks are subject to the rule of superposition
not all rocks can be dated by numerical methods
Geologic Cross Section. Name the feature illustrated below.
a. Monocline
b. Anticline
c. Overturned
d. Syncline
anticline
What contributes to the ductile deformation of a rock?
a. Complete melting and slowly increasing differential pressure on the rock
b. Increasing temperature of the rock and slowly increasing differential pressure on the rock
c. Increasing temperature of the rock only
d. Quickly increasing differential pressure on the rock
increasing temperature of the rock and slowly increasing differential pressure on the rock
What type of structure is shown on the geologic map below?
a. Dome
b. Basin
c. Anticline
d. Syncline
basin
In a ________ fault, the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall because of _______ stress.
a. reverse; compressional
b. normal; compressional
c. reverse; tensional
d. normal; tensional
reverse; compressional
All of the following are characteristic of P-waves, EXCEPT:
a. The fastest of the seismic waves, and typically the first to reach a seismometer after an earthquake
b. Movement of wave is compressional
c. Rocks vibrate back and forth parallel to the direction of wave propagation
d. Can only travel through solids (not liquids)
can only travel through solids (not liquids)
What is the minimum number of seismic stations needed to record the epicenter of an earthquake?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
3
Generally speaking, which seismic waves will have the greatest amplitude on a seismogram and will arrive last to a seismic station?
a. P-waves
b. S-waves
c. Surface waves
d. Surf waves
surface waves
What type of geologic structure is shown in the
geologic map?
a. Plunging Anticline
b. Plunging Syncline
c. Normal Fault
d. Reverse Fault
plunging syncline
If each formation on the map is a different Period,
what is the MOST likely age of the rocks in the
center of the structure (darkest color on the map)?
a. Cambrian
b. Pennsylvanian
c. Mississippian
d. Pennsylvanian
mississippian
Long-range earthquake predictions can be made by seismologists by:
a. Observing long-term changes in groundwater levels
b. Identifying and counting aftershocks
c. Identifying seismic gaps
d. Observing animal behavior
identifying seismic gaps
An earthquake has just occurred in your hometown! As you walk the streets with your new geologic knowledge, you notice that some buildings have tilted or appear to have sunk into the ground, but have not completely collapsed. What process is the most likely cause for your observations?
a. Tsunami
b. Aftershocks
c. Liquefaction
d. Solifluction
liquefaction
The speed of a seismic wave as the wave travels through Earth’s layers depends on ____.
a. The temperature of the material
b. The composition of the material
c. The amount of gas in the material
d. The temperature and composition of
the material
the temperature and composition of the material
true or false
Multiple terrains accreted onto the continental crust of the northwest coast of North America
true
true or false
As mountains continue to rise in elevation, the processes of erosion and mass wasting are reduced.
false
true or false
Chert, petrified wood, and agate are chemical sedimentary rocks composed primarily of quartz
true
true or false
the focus is the spot in earth where rock slippage ends when an earthquake ends.
false
true or false
The D″ layer is known as the “graveyard” of subducted continental lithosphere
true
true or false
Reverse faults are associated with divergent plate boundaries
false
true or false
Horsts and grabens are bounded by sets of normal faults.
true
Over time, mass wasting causes __________
a. Canyons to widen
b. Canyons to incise
c. Terrain to become more steep
d. Canyons to become more narrow
canyons to widen
__________ is not a trigger for mass wasting
a. Oversteepening of a slope
b. Adding water to sediments
c. Water flowing in a stream
d. An earthquake
water flowing in a stream
Which would increase stream flow velocity?
a. Decreasing the gradient
b. Having a narrow, deep channel
c. Having a small drainage basin
d. Having many boulders in the bed of the channel
having a narrow, deep channel
true or false
When a stream enters a large body of water, capacity and competence decrease.
true
For a meandering stream, the majority of deposition occurs __________
a. At waterfalls
b. In the point bar
c. In the cut bank
d. At the outside of a bend
in the point bar
true or false
A natural levee is a ridge of flood deposits far from a river channel.
false
What type of drainage pattern develops on isolated volcanic peaks:
a. Radial
b. Rectangular
c. Dendritic
d. Trellis (Piracy)
radial
Which type of flooding occurs in north flowing rivers in the Northern Hemisphere with the onset of spring?
a. Regional
b. Flash
c. Ice-jam
d. Dam failure
ice jam
What is infiltration:
a. Plants taking in water
b. The transition from liquid to gas from higher temperatures
c. Water soaking into the ground
d. Water running into a channel
water soaking into the ground
In a disconnected losing stream, ____________.
a. Water table is lower than stream surface and is in contact with the stream bed
b. Water table is lower than the stream surface and is separated from the bed
c. Water table is higher than the stream surface and is in contact with the stream bed
d. Water table is higher than the stream surface and is separated from the bed
water table is lower than the stream surface and is separated from the bed
Which of the following has the highest permeability?
a. Basalt
b. Limestone
c. Sandstone
d. Non-fractured granite
limestone
In order for an aquifer to be useful for human consumption, what kind of porosity and permeability should it have?
a. High porosity and low permeability
b. Low porosity and low permeability
c. High porosity and high permeability
d. Low porosity and low permeability
high porosity and high permeability
When would the cone of depression stop enlarging?
a. When the amount of water flowing toward the well is greater than the amount being pumped out
b. The amount of water flowing away from the well is greater than the amount being pumped out
c. When the amount of water flowing toward the well is equal to the amount being pumped out
d. When the amount of water flowing away from the well is equal to the amount being pumped out
when the amount of water flowing toward the well is equal to the amount being pumped out
The water table will fall when _________________.
a. The well is pumped at an unsustainable rate/ drought
b. A well is pumped at a sustainable rate/ drought
c. A well is pumped at an unsustainable rate/ high precipitation
d. A well is pumped at a sustainable rate/ high precipitation
the well is pumped at an unsustainable rate/drought
true or false
marine terraces are indicative of a submergent coastline
false
which of the following statements about a mineral reserve is FALSE?
a. The valuable element in the reverse must have a high enough concentration to be mined profitably
b. Does not change over time
c. Can change with improvements in technology
d. Can change with economic changes
does not change over time
which kind of rock would be an ideal cap rock?
a. shale
b. limestone
c. sandstone
d. conglomerate
shale
Surface feature created by wind erosion
blowout
Outflow of water where an aquitard intersects with the land surface
spring
Wind blown silt sized sediment
loess
Product of a debris flow in an arid environment
alluvial fan
Occurs in regions underlain by permafros
soliflucation
Type of mass wasting that produces a talus slope
fall
Type of mass wasting that involves materials moving as a viscous fluid
flow
Process that causes dissolution of limestone bedrock in a stream
corrosion
Glacial feature associated with waterfalls
hanging valleys
Process by which bed load is transported
saltation
Which of the following is a renewable resource?
a. Aluminum
b. Trees
c. Coal
d. Oil
trees
A rainshadow desert forms ______.
a. near glaciers
b. on the leeward side of a mountain
c. on the windward side of a mountain
d. in a high-pressure zone
on the leeward side of a mountain
Yosemite National Park is prone to ________ because of ________, which is a type of mechanical weathering due to the expansion and fracturing of igneous plutons when they are exposed at the surface.
a. debris slides; dissolution
b. rock falls; oxidation
c. debris slides; sheeting
d. rock falls; sheeting
rock falls; sheeting
What ultimately causes a spit to develop?
a. a rip current
b. The longshore current gains energy.
c. a tidal current
d. The longshore current reduces its energy.
the longshore current reduces its energy
Which of the following methods to counteract beach erosion do coastal scientists consider the best permanent option?
a. Jetties
b. Relocation of at-risk structures
c. Sea walls
d. Beach nourishment
relocation of at-risk structures
_____ is a trigger for mass wasting.
a. Oversteepening a slope
b. Adding water to sediments
c. Removing vegetation
d. All of the above
all of the above
Which renewable energy resource makes up the largest share of Iceland’s energy?
a. Wind energy
b. Hydroelectric power
c. Tidal power
d. Geothermal energy
geothermal energy
For a meandering stream, the majority of erosion occurs _____.
a. In the point bar
b. In the cut bank
c. At the inside of a bend
d. No erosion occurs
in the cut bank
______ is the horizontal distance between successive wave crests.
a. Wave height
b. Wave period
c. Wavelength
d. Tidal height
wavelength
What type of drainage pattern develops on highly jointed bedrock?
a. Radial
b. Dendritic
c. Rectangular
d. Trellis
rectangular
What provides most ocean waves with their energy?
a. volcanic activity on the ocean floor
b. boats passing through
c. earthquakes
d. the wind
the wind
Of the following options, which is the most common type of chemical weathering in a desert?
a. Oxidation
b. Hydrolysis
c. Salt-crystal growth
d. Frost wedging
oxidation
As a river flows from headwaters to the mouth _____.
a. channel slope increases and flow velocity increases
b. channel roughness increases and discharge increases
c. flow velocity increases and channel slope decreases
d. discharge decreases and flow velocity decreases
flow velocity increases and channel slope decreases
What size sediment can be transported by glaciers?
a. Gravel and sediment larger than gravel
b. Only clay
c. Only silt and sand
d. All sediment sizes
all sediment sizes
Which of the following statements about mudflows is false?
a. Flowing mixture of debris and water
b. Generally flows along a channel
c. Dominantly course-grained material
d. Can be associated with volcanic eruptions
dominantly coarse-grained material
In a gaining stream, _____.
a. the stream is always disconnected from the water table by the unsaturated zone
b. groundwater adds to streamflow and the water table is higher than the stream surface
c. groundwater adds to streamflow and the water table is lower than the stream surface
d. streamflow adds to groundwater and the water table is lower than the stream surface
groundwater adds to streamflow and the water table is higher than the stream surface
Which of the following is an erosional feature?
a. Dripstone
b. Stalactite
c. Stalagmite
d. Tower karst
tower karst
The upper boundary of the zone of wastage is ______.
a. the zone of fracture
b. the zone of plastic flow
c. the snowline
d. a region of crevasses
the snowline
Which of the following materials has the highest porosity?
a. Limestone
b. Sandstone
c. Non-fractured granite
d. Clay
clay
What is the name of bowl-shaped depression at the head of a valley glacier?
a. Arête
b. Cirque
c. Horn
d. Tarn
cirque
The subsurface zone in which the pore spaces are completely filled with water is called the:
a. Unsaturated zone
b. Zone of saturation
c. Capillary fringe
d. Zone of soil moisture
zone of saturation
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of an emergent coastline?
a. Tombolo
b. Drowned river mouth
c. Marine terrace
d. Barrier island
marine terrace
Which of the following can be an economically important hydrothermal deposit?
a. Placer deposits
b. Oil sands
c. Black smoker
d. Diamonds
black smoker
An artesian well must tap into ______.
a. crystalline bedrock
b. an aquitard
c. a perched water table
d. a confined aquifer
an aquitard
Using the map above, what is the aquifer’s flow direction?
a. North
b. South
c. East
d. West
east
Well A is 500 feet deep and well B is 200 feet deep. If well A and well B are pumped at the same rate and the rate exceeds aquifer recharge, what will happen?
a. Nothing, both wells can produce water forever
b. Both wells will go dry at the same time
c. Well A will go dry first
d. Well B will go dry first
well B will go dry first
true or false
During the beginning of an interglacial period, sea level will fall.
false
true or false
A nonflowing artesian well is drilled into a confined aquifer.
true
true or false
Slot canyons form in unconsolidated sediment.
false
true or false
isostatic uplift occurred during the last great ice age.
false
true or false
Slump is the slow migration of surface materials resulting from repeated expansion and contraction.
false
true or false
The eye wall of a hurricane is where the most intense rain and wind are located
true
true or false
Levees are never naturally formed.
false
true or false
Drainage in a swamp runs perpendicular to the main river flow direction
false
true or false
Geysers are more common in the western United States because igneous activity has occurred more recently in the area.
true
true or false
Borax and evaporate minerals are mined from playas.
true
Which of the following is a wind deposit?
a. Bajadas
b. Barchan dunes
c. Alluvial fan
d. Yardang
barchan dunes
main source of weathering and erosion in deserts
water
Which renewable energy resource is generated in the Great Planes?
a. Wind energy
b. Hydroelectric power
c. Tidal power
d. Geothermal energy
wind energy
which kind of rock would be an ideal cap rock?
a. shale
b. limestone
c. sandstone
d. conglomerate
shale
