Principles of Geology Flashcards
(220 cards)
1
Q
The study of the Earth’s material composition, appearance, structure, and processes.
a. Physical Geology
b. Historical Geology
c. Geology
A
a. Physical Geology
2
Q
Deals with the history of the Earth. This includes the Earth’s origin, and relative and absolute timing of events that have shaped the Earth.
a. Physical Geology
b. Historical Geology
c. Geology
A
b. Historical Geology
3
Q
Relatively light “granitic” rock that includes the oldest rock of the crust; generally richer in Na and K.
a. oceanic crust
b. asthenosphere
c. continental crust
d. lithosphere
A
c. continental crust
4
Q
Composed of dark, dense volcanic rocks (basalt) with densities much greater than that of granite.
a. oceanic crust
b. asthenosphere
c. continental crust
d. lithosphere
A
a. oceanic crust
5
Q
Surrounds or covers the core; constitutes the great bulk of Earth.
a. Lithosphere
b. Mesophere
c. Mantle
d. Core
A
c. Mantle
6
Q
The central mass about 7000 km in diameter; density increases with depth but averages about 10.78 g/cm3.
a. Lithosphere
b. Mesophere
c. Mantle
d. Core
A
d. Core
7
Q
A strong rigid outer layer consisting of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle.
a. mesophere
b. asthenosphere
c. guttenberg
d. lithosphere
A
d. lithosphere
8
Q
A major zone within the upper mantle where temperature and pressure are at just the right balance so that part of the material melts.
a. mesophere
b. asthenosphere
c. guttenberg
d. lithosphere
A
b. asthenosphere
9
Q
Occupy about two-thirds of Earth’s surface; characterized by a spectacular topography.
a. continental crust
b. oceanic crust
c. oceanic basin
d. continental basin
A
c. oceanic basin
10
Q
It is a major feature of a continent with large areas of highly deformed igneous and metamorphic rock (basement complex).
a. shield
b. stable platform
c. craton
d. folded mountain belts
A
a. shield
11
Q
Extensive flat, stable regions of the continents in which complex crystalline rocks are exposed or buried beneath a relatively thin sedimentary cover.
a. shield
b. stable platform
c. craton
d. folded mountain belts
A
b. stable platform
c. craton
12
Q
Uplifted mountain ranges that are sites of tectonic convergence.
a. shield
b. stable platform
c. craton
d. folded mountain belts
A
d. folded mountain belts
13
Q
The rocks are ________ in a geologic time frame; most are less than 150 million years old.
a. new
b. young
c. old
A
b. young
14
Q
Most striking and important feature on the ocean floor; a huge, crack-like valley, called the rift valley.
a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge
A
e. oceanic ridge
15
Q
Vast areas of broad, relatively smooth, deep-ocean basins on both sides of the ridge.
a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge
A
c. abyssal plain
16
Q
Isolated peaks of submarine volcanoes.
a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge
A
b. seamounts
17
Q
The lowest areas on Earth’s surface; adjacent to island arcs or coastal mountain ranges.
a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge
A
d. trenches
18
Q
Zone of transition between a continental mass and an ocean basin consisting of continental shelf and continental slope.
a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge
A
a. continental margins
19
Q
Study of the origin and arrangement of the broad structural features of the earth’s surface.
a. Plate boundary
b. Tectonics
c. Plate tectonics
d. Plate
A
b. Tectonics
20
Q
A large, mobile slab of rock that is part of the earth’s surface. It may be made up entirely of sea floor or continental.
a. Plate boundary
b. Tectonics
c. Plate tectonics
d. Plate
A
d. Plate
21
Q
The principle that the earth’s surface is divided into large, thick plates that move slowly and change size relative to one another.
a. Plate boundary
b. Tectonics
c. Plate tectonics
d. Plate
A
c. Plate tectonics
22
Q
Narrow areas of intense geologic activity where plates move away from one another, past one another, or toward another.
a. Plate boundary
b. Tectonics
c. Plate tectonics
d. Plate
A
a. Plate boundary
23
Q
Definition of a mineral.
A
N-aturally occurring
I-norganic
H-omogeneous solid
D-efinite chemical composition
O-rdered atomic arrangement
24
Q
Each mineral has a characteristic crystal form. Although the size and shape of a mineral crystal form may vary, similar pairs of crystal face always meet at the same angle.
a. Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles
b. Polymorphism
A
a. Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles
25
Ability of a specific chemical substance to crystallize with more than one type of structure.
a. Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles
b. Polymorphism
b. Polymorphism
26
Natural crystal faces assuming a specific geometric form.
a. crystal form
b. cleavage
c. hardness
d. specific gravity
a. crystal form
27
The measure of a mineral’s resistance to abrasion.
a. crystal form
b. cleavage
c. hardness
d. specific gravity
c. hardness
28
The tendency of a crystalline substance to split or break along smooth planes parallel to zones of weak bonding in the crystal structure.
a. crystal form
b. cleavage
c. hardness
d. specific gravity
b. cleavage
29
The ratio of the weight of a given volume of a substance to the weight of an equal volume of water.
a. streak
b. specific gravity
c. hardness
d. color
b. specific gravity
30
The external identity of a mineral that can occur as one or as many colors due to impurities.
a. streak
b. specific gravity
c. hardness
d. color
d. color
31
It is the color of a mineral in powder form
a. streak
b. specific gravity
c. hardness
d. color
a. streak
32
Magmas stored within the crust
a. intrusive
b. extrusive
a. intrusive
33
Magma erupted on the surface either as lava or as pyroclastic material.
a. intrusive
b. extrusive
b. extrusive
34
Concordant plutons; they are flat, tabular bodies intruded parallel to the layering.
a. laccoliths
b. dikes
c. sills
d. volcanic neck
c. sills
35
An intrusive structure apparently formed within the throat of a volcano.
a. laccoliths
b. dikes
c. sills
d. volcanic neck
d. volcanic neck
36
Discordant plutons that cut across the layering of the host rock. When no layering in the host rock is evident, the pluton is called a dike.
a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. sills
d. stocks
b. dikes
37
Mushroom-shaped bodies that rise near the surface and dome the overlying layers while it spreads laterally.
a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. laccoliths
d. stocks
c. laccoliths
38
Enormous, complex rock bodies that cover at least 100 km2.
a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. laccoliths
d. stocks
a. batholiths
39
Plutons similar to batholiths but smaller in size (<100 km2)
a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. laccoliths
d. stocks
d. stocks
40
Coarse grained; the mineral components are visible to the naked eye; characteristic of deep intrusive rocks that slowly cooled.
a. porphyritic
b. aphanitic
c. phaneritic
d. glassy
c. phaneritic
41
Fine-grained; the mineral components are not visible to the naked eye; formed by relatively fast cooling of some volcanic rocks.
a. porphyritic
b. aphanitic
c. phaneritic
d. glassy
b. aphanitic
42
Texture of igneous rock with a high glass content; formed by very rapid cooling, such that minerals had no time to form crystals.
a. porphyritic
b. aphanitic
c. phaneritic
d. glassy
d. glassy
43
Igneous texture in which crystals visible to the naked eye are embedded in a matrix of aphanitic texture; it represents a solidifying magma that has suddenly erupted to the surface.
a. porphyritic
b. aphanitic
c. phaneritic
d. glassy
a. porphyritic
44
Magma stored within the earth’s crust, if allowed to remain liquid, will undergo _______. Attained when minerals crystallize and separate from the mother magma, altering the magma composition in the process
a. Partial melting
b. Source rock
c. Differentiation
d. Assimilation
c. Differentiation
45
The composition of the resultant magma is, in general, more felsic than the parent magma.
a. Partial melting
b. Source rock
c. Differentiation
d. Assimilation
b. Source rock
46
The first minerals to melt are those in the later portion in the Bowen reaction sequence.
a. Partial melting
b. Source rock
c. Assimilation
d. Magma mixing
a. Partial melting
47
A very hot magma may melt the country rock and assimilate the newly molten material into the magma.
a. Partial melting
b. Source rock
c. Assimilation
d. Magma mixing
c. Assimilation
48
If two magmas meet and merge in the crust, the combined magma will be compositionally intermediate.
a. Partial melting
b. Source rock
c. Assimilation
d. Magma mixing
d. Magma mixing
49
Changes that take place in minerals and rocks at or near the surface of the earth in response to the atmosphere, water and plant and animal life.
a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock
c. Weathering
50
Surface accumulation of sand, clay and decayed plant material (called humus)
a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock
a. Soil
51
The solid rock underlying all parts of the land surface.
a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock
d. Bedrock
52
Soil and loose fragments that may cover the bedrock.
a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock
b. Regolith
53
The soil layers that can be distinguished from one another by appearance and chemical composition. Their boundaries are transitional.
a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil
a. soil horizons
54
The unweathered rock beneath the soil; also termed as parent rock.
a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil
c. bedrock
55
Stony part of the soil, lacking organic matter.
a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil
d. subsoil
56
The residue of weathering. It is the layer of weathered unconsolidated material above bedrock.
a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil
b. soil
57
Loose fragments may cover the bedrock.
a. loam
b. topsoil
c. regolith
d. subsoil
c. regolith
58
The upper fertile portion of soil.
a. loam
b. topsoil
c. regolith
d. subsoil
b. topsoil
59
Soil of approximately equal amounts of sand, silt and clay; they are well drained and often fertile.
a. loam
b. topsoil
c. regolith
d. subsoil
a. loam
60
Finest sediment, at least 1/256 mm in size.
a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt
a. clay
61
Grains from 1/16-2 mm
a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt
c. sand
62
Grains from 1/256—1/16 mm; too small to see without a magnifying glass.
a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt
d. silt
63
Particles coarser than 2 mm in diameter (boulder > 256 mm, cobble 256-64 mm and pebble 64-2 mm)
a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt
b. gravel
64
Fragments derived from the weathering of rocks, transported by water, wind or ice and deposited in loose layers on the Earth’s surface.
a. chemical
b. biochemical
c. detrital
c. detrital
65
Precipitated directly or indirectly by the activities of organisms.
a. chemical
b. biochemical
c. detrital
b. biochemical
66
Particles precipitated directly from water.
a. chemical
b. biochemical
c. detrital
a. chemical
67
When transported material settles or comes to rest as the medium of transport loses energy and can no longer transport its load.
a. preservation
b. sorting
c. rounding
d. deposition
d. deposition
68
The grinding away of sharp edges and corners of rock fragments during transport.
a. preservation
b. sorting
c. rounding
d. deposition
c. rounding
69
Sediments are preserved when they are protected from further erosion, usually by being buried by later sediments.
a. preservation
b. sorting
c. rounding
d. deposition
a. preservation
70
Process in which sediment grains are selected and separated according to grain size or grain shape and specific gravity.
a. preservation
b. sorting
c. rounding
d. deposition
b. sorting
71
The formation of new crystalline mineral grains in a rock.
a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization
d. recrystallization
72
The conversion of sediment into rock trough such processes as compaction.
a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization
c. lithification
73
The location in which deposition occurs.
a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization
a. environmental deposition
74
The condition is shown by sedimentary rocks being disposed of in horizontal layers of beds.
a. lamina
b. stratification
c. bed
b. stratification
75
The smallest division of stratified sedimentary rock, consisting of a single distinct sheet-like layer of sedimentary material.
a. lamina
b. stratification
c. bed
c. bed
76
The thinnest or smallest recognizable unit layer of original deposition in a sediment.
a. lamina
b. stratification
c. bed
a. lamina
77
Minerals separate into distinct light and dark layers or lenses.
a. facies
b. gneissic
c. slaty
d. schistose
b. gneissic
78
Rock splits easily along nearly flat and parallel planes indicating microscopic platy minerals pushed into alignment.
a. facies
b. gneissic
c. slaty
d. schistose
c. slaty
79
Visible platy or needle-shaped minerals have grown essentially parallel to a plane due to differential stress.
a. facies
b. gneissic
c. slaty
d. schistose
d. schistose
80
Assemblage of mineral, rock (or fossil) features reflecting environment in which rock was formed; such features are used to differentiate one rock facies from other neighboring units.
a. facies
b. gneissic
c. slaty
d. schistose
a. facies
81
Metamorphism of an extensive area of the crust; generally associated with intensive compression and mountain building; induced during subduction and collision that produce fold mountain ranges.
a. shock metamorphism
b. shear metamorphism
c. regional metamorphism
d. contact metamorphism
c. regional metamorphism
82
The transformation of rocks within the shear zone associated with active fault movement; mainly involves grinding, pulverizing and recrystallization of the rocks. Shear faulting produces a rock type called mylonite.
a. shock metamorphism
b. shear metamorphism
c. regional metamorphism
d. contact metamorphism
b. shear metamorphism
83
The transformation of rocks caused by heat escaping from an igneous intrusion. It may be accompanied by metasomatism, which is a replacement process whereby the elements of a rock are exchanged with those of a magmatic fluid.
a. shock metamorphism
b. shear metamorphism
c. regional metamorphism
d. contact metamorphism
d. contact metamorphism
84
Results in response to the pressure exerted by the weight of the overlying rock; occurs deep into thick sedimentary basins
a. burial metamorphism
b. contact metamorphism
c. shock metamorphism
d. shear metamorphism
a. burial metamorphism
85
Changes in rock and minerals caused by shock waves from high- velocity impacts, mainly from meteorites.
a. burial metamorphism
b. contact metamorphism
c. shock metamorphism
d. shear metamorphism
c. shock metamorphism
86
The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a specified area.
a. Strain
b. Relief
c. Structural geology
d. Stress
b. Relief
87
A force applied to a material that tends to change that material’s dimensions.
a. Strain
b. Relief
c. Structural geology
d. Stress
d. Stress
88
Deals with deformed masses of rock, their shapes and stress that caused the deformation.
a. Strain
b. Relief
c. Structural geology
d. Stress
c. Structural geology
89
The amount of deformation caused by stress.
a. Strain
b. Relief
c. Structural geology
d. Stress
a. Strain
90
The direction in which a rock layer is inclined downward from a horizontal plane.
a. Direction of dip
b. Strike
c. Angle of dip
d. Structural relief
a. Direction of dip
91
The difference in elevation of parts of a deformed bed; it is used as a measure of deformation.
a. Direction of dip
b. Strike
c. Angle of dip
d. Structural relief
d. Structural relief
92
The course of bearing of the inclined rock layer or structure, measured along the line of intersection that the inclined layer or structure makes with a horizontal plane.
a. Direction of dip
b. Strike
c. Angle of dip
d. Structural relief
b. Strike
93
The acute angle that a rock layer or linear structure forms with the horizontal.
a. Direction of dip
b. Strike
c. Angle of dip
d. Structural relief
c. Angle of dip
94
Fold in which the beds on both limbs are nearly parallel, whether upright, overturned or recumbent.
a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline
c. Isoclinal fold
95
A trough-shaped fold.
a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline
d. Syncline
96
An asymmetrical fold in which one limb has been tilted beyond the vertical.
a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline
b. Overturned fold
97
A fold in which the axial plane has been overturned.
a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline
a. Recumbent fold
98
It is the bending or warping of rock strata caused by compressive stress.
a. Monocline
b. Folding
c. Syncline
d. Anticline
b. Folding
99
A double flexure connecting strata at one level with the same strata at another level.
a. Monocline
b. Folding
c. Syncline
d. Anticline
a. Monocline
100
An arch-shaped fold.
a. Monocline
b. Folding
c. Syncline
d. Anticline
d. Anticline
101
An imaginary plane containing all the fold axes within a deformed layer of rock layers.
a. axial plane
b. limbs
c. axis
a. axial plane
102
The direction of an imaginary line connecting the points of maximum flexure of the fold.
a. axial plane
b. limbs
c. axis
c. axis
103
The two sides or legs of the fold.
a. axial plane
b. limbs
c. axis
b. limbs
104
Circular or elliptical structural or topographic highs in which beds dip away to all directions.
a. basin
b. domes
c. plunge
b. domes
105
The axes of most folds are inclined. The angle of dip of its axis is the __________.
a. basin
b. domes
c. plunge
c. plunge
106
Circular or elliptical structural or topographic lows or down warps in which beds dip towards the center.
a. basin
b. domes
c. plunge
a. basin
107
Fractures or cracks developed on the rock, along which no significant movement of blocks has occurred.
a. joints
b. sheeting
c. columnar joints
a. joints
108
Joints resulting from the cooling of dikes, volcanic flows and volcanic necks (similar to mud cracking).
a. joints
b. sheeting
c. columnar joints
c. columnar joints
109
A pattern of essentially horizontal joints. This is especially common in the shallow portions of granites and may be related to pressure release upon exhumation.
a. joints
b. sheeting
c. columnar joints
b. sheeting
110
A dip-slip fault in which the hanging wall appeared to have moved down with respect to the footwall.
a. fault
b. normal fault
c. dip-slip fault
d. thrust fault
b. normal fault
111
Is deformation by rupture in which the blocks of rock on each side of the break move relative to each other
a. fault
b. normal fault
c. dip-slip fault
d. thrust fault
a. fault
112
Usually, faults are inclined. When the displacement occurs is along the direction of the dip.
a. fault
b. normal fault
c. dip-slip fault
d. thrust fault
c. dip-slip fault
113
Dip-slip fault in which the hanging wall appears to have moved up relative to the footwall.
a. fault
b. normal fault
c. dip-slip fault
d. thrust fault
d. thrust fault
114
Corresponding block below a dipping fault or structure. Extension or stretching of the crust may cause a series of related normal faults
a. hanging wall
b. footwall
c. graben
d. horst
b. footwall
115
The block at the top of a dipping fault or structure.
a. hanging wall
b. footwall
c. graben
d. horst
a. hanging wall
116
A structure in which a central block was upraised in relation to two adjacent block.
a. hanging wall
b. footwall
c. graben
d. horst
d. horst
117
A structure in which a central block dropped down in relation to two adjacent blocks; they form topographic basins marked by relatively straight parallel walls.
a. hanging wall
b. footwall
c. graben
d. horst
c. graben
118
A strike-slip fault in which the block on the right appears to have moved towards the observer; also known as dextral fault.
a. left lateral fault
b. strike-slip fault
c. right lateral fault
c. right lateral fault
119
A fault along which the movement is essentially horizontal, i.e., parallel to the strike; also called transcurrent fault.
a. left lateral fault
b. strike-slip fault
c. right lateral fault
b. strike-slip fault
120
A strike-slip fault in which the block on the left appears to have moved toward the observer; is also known as a sinistral fault.
a. left lateral fault
b. strike-slip fault
c. right lateral fault
a. left lateral fault
121
Develops when the eroded rocks are parallel to the overlying younger rocks. The top portions of the buried rocks are typically irregular because of erosion.
a. angular unconformity
b. unconformity
c. disconformity
d. nonconformity
c. disconformity
122
A structural feature representing the relationship between a buried erosional surface and younger overlying sediments.
a. angular unconformity
b. unconformity
c. disconformity
d. nonconformity
b. unconformity
123
Formed when the underlying eroded rocks are crystalline, either igneous or metamorphic.
a. angular unconformity
b. unconformity
c. disconformity
d. nonconformity
d. nonconformity
124
Formed when the older strata dip at an angle from that of the younger strata.
a. angular unconformity
b. unconformity
c. disconformity
d. nonconformity
a. angular unconformity
125
Movement of rocks past one another along faults; when a rock breaks, waves of energy are sent out or produced, known as seismic waves.
a. earthquake
b. volcanic
c. tectonic
c. tectonic
126
Trembling or shaking of the ground caused by the sudden release of energy stored in the rocks beneath the earth’s surface
a. earthquake
b. volcanic
c. tectonic
a. earthquake
127
Due to volcanic activity (eruption or rising magma under a volcano)
a. earthquake
b. volcanic
c. tectonic
b. volcanic
128
Travel on the earth’s surface away from the epicenter (like ripples on water); slowest wave, can cause more property damage.
a. surface waves
b. body waves
c. s wave
d. p wave
a. surface waves
129
Slow, at 2-5 km/sec; Can pass through solid
but not fluid.
a. surface waves
b. body waves
c. s wave
d. p wave
c. s wave
130
Travel through the earth’s interior, spreading outward from the hypocenter in all directions.
a. surface waves
b. body waves
c. s wave
d. p wave
b. body waves
131
Very fast at speeds of 4 to 7 km/sec; Can pass through solid and fluid (gas or liquid).
a. surface waves
b. body waves
c. s wave
d. p wave
d. p wave
132
The point within the earth where seismic waves originate is the point of initial movement of a fault.
a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter
d. focus or hypocenter
133
Finding out how much damage the quake has caused.
a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter
a. intensity
134
The amount of energy released by the quake is calculated and assigned a number.
a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter
b. magnitude
135
The point on the earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter.
a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter
c. epicenter
136
The paper record of earth vibration.
a. seismograph
b. seismogram
c. seismometer
b. seismogram
137
A seismometer with a recording device that produces a permanent record of earth motion.
a. seismograph
b. seismogram
c. seismometer
a. seismograph
138
Balance or equilibrium between adjacent blocks of brittle crust “floating” on the upper mantle.
a. m-discontinuity
b. geothermal gradient
c. isostasy
d. heat flow
c. isostasy
139
A small but measurable amount of heat from the earth’s interior that is being lost gradually through the earth’s surface.
a. m-discontinuity
b. geothermal gradient
c. isostasy
d. heat flow
d. heat flow
140
A distinct compositional boundary that separates an outer layer (the crust) from a deeper layer (the mantle.
a. m-discontinuity
b. geothermal gradient
c. isostasy
d. heat flow
a. m-discontinuity
141
The temperature increase with depth into the earth.
a. m-discontinuity
b. geothermal gradient
c. isostasy
d. heat flow
b. geothermal gradient
142
Proposed a theory of sea-floor spreading which suggested a possible mechanism for continental drift.
a. A. Wegener
b. A. du Toit
c. H. Hess
c. H. Hess
143
A German meteorologist, was the first to make an exhaustive investigation of the idea of continental drift.
a. A. Wegener
b. A. du Toit
c. H. Hess
a. A. Wegener
144
Divided Pangea into two parts which initially separated them to Laurasia and Gondwanaland.
a. A. Wegener
b. A. du Toit
c. H. Hess
b. A. du Toit
145
States that a fragment of a rock incorporated or included in another is older than the host rock.
a. principle of crosscutting relations
b. principle of inclusion
c. principle of faunal succession
d. principle of superposition
b. principle of inclusion
146
States that in a sequence of undeformed sedimentary rock, the oldest beds are on the bottom and the higher layers are successively younger.
a. principle of crosscutting relations
b. principle of inclusion
c. principle of faunal succession
d. principle of superposition
d. principle of superposition
147
States that groups of fossil animals and plants occur in the geologic record in a definite and determinable order and that a period of geologic time can be recognized by its characteristic fossils.
a. principle of crosscutting relations
b. principle of inclusion
c. principle of faunal succession
d. principle of superposition
c. principle of faunal succession
148
States that igneous intrusions and faults are younger than the rocks they cut.
a. principle of crosscutting relations
b. principle of inclusion
c. principle of faunal succession
d. principle of superposition
a. principle of crosscutting relations
149
The movement in a mass-wasting event involves the free fall of detached individual pieces of any size.
a. flow
b. slide
c. fall
c. fall
150
The term refers to mass movements in which there is a distinct zone of weakness separating the slide material from the more stable underlying material
a. flow
b. slide
c. fall
b. slide
151
Occurs when material moves downslope as a viscous fluid.
a. flow
b. slide
c. fall
a. flow
152
Also called slope failure; the downward and outward movement of rock or unconsolidated material traveling as a unit along a curved plane.
a. rock fall
b. rock slide
c. slump
d. debris slide
c. slump
153
A small, rapid movement of largely unconsolidated material that slides or rolls downward and produces a surface of low hummocks.
a. rock fall
b. rock slide
c. slump
d. debris slide
d. debris slide
154
Free fall of rocks from steep cliffs.
a. rock fall
b. rock slide
c. slump
d. debris slide
a. rock fall
155
The most catastrophic of all mass movements; sudden, rapid slides of bedrock along planes of weakness.
a. rock fall
b. rock slide
c. slump
d. debris slide
b. rock slide
156
A large percentage of silt and clay particles, usually result from sudden heavy rain or thaw. Their water content may be as much as 30%.
a. earthflow
b. lahar
c. debris flow
d. mudflow
d. mudflow
157
Consisting of abundant loose pyroclastic material that has accumulated at the foot of a recently erupted volcano, and which has been remobilized by heavy rain or thaw.
a. earthflow
b. lahar
c. debris flow
d. mudflow
b. lahar
158
The plastic movement of unconsolidated material lying in solid bedrock, usually helped along by excessive moisture.
a. earthflow
b. lahar
c. debris flow
d. mudflow
a. earthflow
159
Consists of mixtures of rock fragments, mud and water that flows downslope as a viscous fluid.
a. earthflow
b. lahar
c. debris flow
d. mudflow
c. debris flow
160
Downward movement of earth material lying at or near the surface
a. subsidence
b. talus
c. subaqueous mass movement
d. earthflow
a. subsidence
161
A slope built up by the accumulation of rock fragments at the foot of a cliff or ridge.
a. subsidence
b. talus
c. subaqueous mass movement
d. earthflow
b. talus
162
Water- saturated sediments flowing or sliding downslope of the seafloor.
a. subsidence
b. talus
c. subaqueous mass movement
d. earthflow
c. subaqueous mass movement
163
Refers to the downslope movement of debris under saturated conditions.
a. earthflow
b. subsidence
c. solifluction
d. creep
c. solifluction
164
The slow downward movement of surface material operates even on gentle slopes with a protective cover of grass and trees.
a. earthflow
b. subsidence
c. solifluction
d. creep
d. creep
165
Water contained within the openings (pores, fractures, etc.) of the rocks beneath the Earth’s surface.
a. porosity
b. permeability
c. groundwater
d. water table
c. groundwater
166
The percentage of the openings within a given volume of rock; it determines how much water a rock mass can hold.
a. porosity
b. permeability
c. groundwater
d. water table
a. porosity
167
The capacity of a rock to transmit a fluid; it varies with the fluid’s viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, the size of the openings, and the degree of interconnection between the openings.
a. porosity
b. permeability
c. groundwater
d. water table
b. permeability
168
The upper surface of the zone of saturation; mimic the surface topography.
a. porosity
b. permeability
c. groundwater
d. water table
d. water table
169
Confined in an aquifer between impermeable beds. It is under pressure, like water in a pipe; where a well or fracture intersects it, the aquifer water.
a. cone of depression
b. zone of saturation
c. perched water table
d. zone of aeration
e. artesian water
e. artesian water
170
The zone above the water table which is partly filled with air and partly filled with water
a. cone of depression
b. zone of saturation
c. perched water table
d. zone of aeration
e. artesian water
d. zone of aeration
171
Produced when an impermeable layer (e.g., shale) occurs within the zone of aeration.
a. cone of depression
b. zone of saturation
c. perched water table
d. zone of aeration
e. artesian water
c. perched water table
172
The cone-shaped line of the water table as it is depressed due to pumping of fluid from a well.
a. cone of depression
b. zone of saturation
c. perched water table
d. zone of aeration
e. artesian water
a. cone of depression
173
Below the zone of aeration, where all the pores are filled with water.
a. cone of depression
b. zone of saturation
c. perched water table
d. zone of aeration
e. artesian water
b. zone of saturation
174
Energy useful to human beings that can be extracted from steam and hot water found within the Earth’s crust.
a. geyser
b. geothermal energy
c. thermal spring
b. geothermal energy
175
Groundwater migrating through areas of recent igneous activity or “hot rocks” becomes heated and, when discharged to the surface.
a. geyser
b. geothermal energy
c. thermal spring
c. thermal spring
176
A thermal spring that intermittently erupts steam and boiling water.
a. geyser
b. geothermal energy
c. thermal spring
a. geyser
177
A distinctive type of terrain resulting largely from erosion by groundwater, characterized by sinkholes, solution valleys, rounded hills and knobs.
a. karst topography
b. tower karst
c. caves
d. sinkhole
a. karst topography
178
Produced when caves grow larger until the roof collapses and a crater-like depression result.
a. karst topography
b. tower karst
c. caves
d. sinkhole
d. sinkhole
179
A naturally formed subterranean open area, chamber, or series of chambers, commonly produced in limestone by solution activity.
a. karst topography
b. tower karst
c. caves
d. sinkhole
c. caves
180
A particular type of karst topography developed in tropical areas where dissolution is at a maximum. It is characterized by steep, cone-like hills.
a. karst topography
b. tower karst
c. caves
d. sinkhole
b. tower karst
181
A thin sheet of dripstone hanging from the ceiling or wall of a cave; it may follow the trace of a fracture on the ceiling or wall.
a. dripstone
b. drip curtain
c. stalactite
d. stalagmite
b. drip curtain
182
An icicle-shaped deposit of dripstone hanging from the roof of a cave.
a. dripstone
b. drip curtain
c. stalactite
d. stalagmite
c. stalactite
183
Collective term for groundwater deposits formed from by precipitation from slow percolating and dripping groundwater rich in mineral matter.
a. dripstone
b. drip curtain
c. stalactite
d. stalagmite
a. dripstone
184
A conical deposit of dripstone built up from a cavefloor.
a. dripstone
b. drip curtain
c. stalactite
d. stalagmite
d. stalagmite
184
A conical deposit of dripstone built up from a cavefloor.
185
The process by which groundwater dissolves and transports soluble components of rock or soil.
a. travertine terraces
b. hot spring deposit
c. leaching
d. leachate
c. leaching
186
The solution produced by leaching. Material that is leached from waste disposal sites.
a. travertine terraces
b. hot spring deposit
c. leaching
d. leachate
d. leachate
187
Calcium carbonate deposition, usually of travertine, from hot springs in geothermal areas.
a. travertine terraces
b. hot spring deposit
c. leaching
d. leachate
b. hot spring deposit
188
Terraced deposits of calcium carbonate deposited by flowing pools of water on the cave floor.
a. travertine terraces
b. hot spring deposit
c. leaching
d. leachate
a. travertine terraces
189
too much pumping in places near seawater may cause incursion of saltwater into the water table
a. subsidence
b. changes in the position of the water table
c. saltwater encroachment
c. saltwater encroachment
190
Raising of the water table by too much irrigation can produce springs where there were no springs before.
a. subsidence
b. changes in the position of the water table
c. saltwater encroachment
b. changes in the position of the water table
191
the sinking or settling of a part of the Earth’s crust with respect to the surrounding parts.
a. subsidence
b. changes in the position of the water table
c. saltwater encroachment
a. subsidence
192
a network of connecting channels through which water, precipitated on the surface, is collected and funneled back to the ocean
a. river system
b. drainage system
c. divide
d. tributaries
a. river system
193
acts as a funneling mechanism for removing surface runoff (water that flows over the land surface) and weathered rock debris.
a. river system
b. drainage system
c. divide
d. tributaries
b. drainage system
194
a stream flowing into or joining a larger stream
a. river system
b. drainage system
c. divide
d. tributaries
d. tributaries
195
It is bounded by a ridge beyond which water is drained by another system.
a. river system
b. drainage system
c. divide
d. tributaries
c. divide
196
consists of a network of distributaries (stream branches into which a river divides where it reaches its delta) at the mouth of a river, where sediment and water are dispersed into an ocean, a lake or a dry basin. The major process is deposition.
a. collecting system
b. transporting system
c. dispersing system
c. dispersing system
197
the main trunk stream, which functions as a channel way through which water and sediment move from the collecting area toward the ocean
a. collecting system
b. transporting system
c. dispersing system
b. transporting system
198
consists of a network of tributaries in the headwater (the higher portions of the river), which collects and funnels water and sediment to the main stream.
a. collecting system
b. transporting system
c. dispersing system
a. collecting system
199
Vertical distance between the crest and the trough, it is a key factor in determining wave energy
a. wavelength
b. crest
c. trough
d. period
e. height
e. height
200
Highest portion of the wave
with respect to the horizontal
a. wavelength
b. crest
c. trough
d. period
e. height
b. crest
201
Distance between identical
parts of the wave
a. wavelength
b. crest
c. trough
d. period
e. height
a. wavelength
202
Time it takes identical parts of successive waves to pass a fixed reference point
a. wavelength
b. crest
c. trough
d. period
e. height
d. period
203
Lowest portion of the wave with respect to the horizontal
a. wavelength
b. crest
c. trough
d. period
e. height
c. trough
204
vertical distance between crest and trough
a. ocean waves
b. wave motion
c. wavelength
d. wave height
d. wave height
205
receive their energy from winds that blow across the water surface.
a. ocean waves
b. wave motion
c. wavelength
d. wave height
a. ocean waves
206
horizontal distance between two wave crests
a. ocean waves
b. wave motion
c. wavelength
d. wave height
c. wavelength
207
involves a transfer of energy from moving air to a water surface.
a. ocean waves
b. wave motion
c. wavelength
d. wave height
b. wave motion
208
often one end of wave reaches shallow water first. This end of the wave “feels bottom” and slows down while the rest of the wave continues at its deep-water speed
a. wave base
b. breaking waves
c. wave refraction
d. surf
c. wave refraction
209
water in the surf zone loses its orbital motion and moves back and forth as a turbulent, often foamy, mass.
a. wave base
b. breaking waves
c. wave refraction
d. surf
d. surf
210
a depth of half the wavelength is the lower limit tot effective wave motion
a. wave base
b. breaking waves
c. wave refraction
d. surf
a. wave base
211
as a wave nears the shore, its base encounters frictional resistance by the seafloor. This causes the height of the wave to increase and the wavelength to decrease
a. wave base
b. breaking waves
c. wave refraction
d. surf
b. breaking waves
212
the zigzag movement of water on the shoreline carries sand and pebbles first up, then down the beach slope
a. longshore currents
b. beach drift
c. offshore transport and sorting
d. beach
b. beach drift
213
a strip of sediment (usually sand or gravel) that extends from the low-water line inland to a cliff or zone of permanent vegetation
a. longshore currents
b. beach drift
c. offshore transport and sorting
d. beach
d. beach
214
seaward of the surf zone, bottom sediments are moved by currents and by unusually large waves during storm
a. longshore currents
b. beach drift
c. offshore transport and sorting
d. beach
c. offshore transport and sorting
215
waves that arrive at an angle to the shore pushes more water parallel to the shoreline than waves that arrive normal to the shore.
a. longshore currents
b. beach drift
c. offshore transport and sorting
d. beach
a. longshore currents
216
submerged coasts occur where sea level has been rising or tectonics has lowered the land surface
a. drowned coasts
b. back shore
c. berm
d. foreshore
a. drowned coasts
217
the distance extending from the lowest tide to the average hightide level
a. drowned coasts
b. back shore
c. berm
d. foreshore
d. foreshore
218
a wave-deposited sediment platform that is flat or slopes slightly landward
a. drowned coasts
b. back shore
c. berm
d. foreshore
c. berm
219
a zone extending inland from the berm to the farthest point reached by the surf
a. drowned coasts
b. back shore
c. berm
d. foreshore
b. back shore
