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Physical Geology > Physical Geology > Flashcards

Physical Geology Flashcards

Final review

1
Q

Divergent

A

A geological boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

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2
Q

Convergent

A

A geological boundary where two tectonic plates move toward each other, leading to the collision and subsequent subduction or uplift of crustal material.

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3
Q

Transform

A

A geological boundary where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

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4
Q

Tension

A

Stress that occurs when forces act to stretch an object, typically associated with divergent boundaries.

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5
Q

Compression

A

Stress that occurs when forces act to squeeze or shorten an object, typically associated with convergent boundaries.

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6
Q

Stress

A

The force per unit area applied to a material, which may cause deformation or strain.

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7
Q

Strain

A

The response of a material to stress, resulting in deformation such as stretching, bending, or folding.

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8
Q

Mineral

A

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure.

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9
Q

Hardness

A

A measure of a mineral’s resistance to scratching or abrasion, typically measured on the Mohs scale.

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10
Q

Igneous Texture

A

The appearance and arrangement of minerals in igneous rocks, determined by the rate of cooling during their formation.

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11
Q

Felsic

A

Term used to describe igneous rocks with high silica content and light-colored minerals, such as granite.

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12
Q

Mafic

A

Term used to describe igneous rocks with low silica content and dark-colored minerals, such as basalt.

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13
Q

Shield Volcano

A

A broad, gently sloping volcano built from fluid lava flows, characteristic of hot spot or divergent boundary volcanism.

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14
Q

Weathering

A

The physical or chemical breakdown of rocks and minerals at or near the Earth’s surface due to exposure to atmospheric or environmental factors.

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15
Q

Erosion

A

The process by which weathered material is transported and deposited by natural agents such as water, wind, or ice.

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16
Q

Well Sorted

A

Sediment or rock composed of particles that are uniform in size, indicating similar transport conditions and energy levels during deposition.

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17
Q

Ripple Marks

A

Small scale sedimentary structures formed by the movement of water or wind, characterized by ridges and troughs on the surface of a sediment layer.

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18
Q

Fossil

A

The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, providing evidence of past life and environmental conditions.

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19
Q

Liquefaction

A

The process by which water-saturated sediment temporarily loses its strength and behaves like a liquid during the shaking of an earthquake.

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20
Q

Metamorphic

A

Rocks formed from the alteration of pre-existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids, without melting.

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21
Q

Sedimentary

A

Rocks formed from the accumulation and lithification of sediment, often through processes such as compaction and cementation.

22
Q

Igneous

A

Rocks formed from the solidification of magma or lava.

23
Q

Index Mineral

A

A mineral used to estimate the temperature and pressure conditions under which a metamorphic rock formed.

24
Q

Alluvial Fan

A

A fan-shaped deposit of sediment formed where a fast-flowing stream or river loses energy and deposits its load as it flows onto a flat plain.

25
Q

Permeability

A

The ability of a material to allow fluids to pass through it, often influenced by the size of pores.

26
Q

Porosity

A

The percentage of a material’s volume that is occupied by void spaces, such as pores or fractures, which may contain fluids or gases.

27
Q

Felsic properties

A

-light colored
-granite
-rhyolite
-continental crust
-silica rich
-viscous
-explosive magma
-composite volcanos
-volcanic domes
-convergent zones

28
Q

Mafic properties

A

-dark
-gabbro
-basalt
-oceanic crust
-iron & magnesium rich
-flows easily
-flowing lava
-shield volcanoes
-cinder cones
-divergent zones

29
Q

There is a convergent plate boundary down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

A

false

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

30
Q

An example of an oceanic-oceanic convergent plate boundary is the Andes.

A

false

The Andes mountain range is actually the result of a continental-oceanic convergent plate boundary

31
Q

Continental crust is always thicker than oceanic crust.

A

true

Continental crust tends to be thicker and less dense than oceanic crust. Continental crust tends to accumulate over time through processes like mountain building. Oceanic crust is continually formed and recycled at mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones.

32
Q

Clay minerals have a platy crystal form because they have a chain-like
structure of silica tetrahedra.

A

false

Clay minerals have a platy crystal form not because they have a chain-like structure of silica tetrahedra, but because of their sheet-like structure.

33
Q

Any individual volcano tends to erupt magmas of similar composition.

A

false

Variations can occur due to factors like changes in magma source, melting processes within the mantle, and interactions with surrounding rocks.

34
Q

An eruption of a viscous, felsic magma will sometimes form a lahar.

A

true

An eruption of viscous, felsic magma can lead to the formation of lahars. Lahars are fast-moving mudflows consisting of a mixture of volcanic material, water, and rock fragments.

35
Q

The eruption of Mount St. Helens was one of the largest and deadliest in the
world in historic times.

A

false

It was not one of the largest or deadliest eruptions in historic times worldwide.

36
Q

Which of the following would make a slope less stable?
a) supporting the slope
b) increasing infiltration
c) decreasing the slope
d) increasing runoff

A

d) increasing runoff

37
Q

During a glacial period, sea level would be expected to be ___.
a) higher than average, because more ice is in the water
b) unaffected by changes in sea water and ice
c) lower than average, because sea water has been used to make ice

A

c) lower than average, because sea water has been used to make ice

38
Q

Geologic history can only be recognized if there were humans around to
record the events.

A

false

39
Q

The most damage from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake was caused by:
a) cracks opening up
b) a tsunami
c) ground shaking
d) fire
e) landslides

A

d) fire

40
Q

Which choice best explains where most earthquakes occur?
a) in mountainous areas
b) along plate boundaries
c) far from the edges of plates
d) along coasts

A

b) along plate boundaries

41
Q

The analyses of the alignment of the planets and moon are a scientifically
accepted method used to predict earthquakes.

A

false

42
Q

Metamorphic rocks are some of the oldest known rocks.

A
43
Q

Metamorphic rocks indicate that a older parent rock once existed in that
place.

A

true

44
Q

The Appalachian Mountains are the result of a oceanic-oceanic plate collision.

A

false

The Appalachian Mountains were formed as a result of the collision and convergence of tectonic plates.

45
Q

Most folding of rocks occurs very deep in the Earth.

A

true

This process is known as ductile deformation.

46
Q

When the velocity of a river decreases, what happens?
a) erosion
b) deposition
c) an increase in saltation
d) an increase in dissolved load

A

b) deposition

47
Q

Which of the following statements about floods is true?
a) Floods occur when a river’s discharge increases
b) Flood damage can be reduced by good engineering
c) Floods are both natural and common
d) All of the above

A

d) All of the above.

48
Q

Which of the following is most permeable?
a) sand
b) soil
c) gravel
d) clay

A

c) gravel

49
Q

The average rate of groundwater flow is:
a) a few kilometers per day
b) a few meters per day
c) a few centimeters per day

A
50
Q

An example of a rock type that could be a good aquifer is:

A

Physical Geology (3 decks)

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