Principles of Geology Flashcards by Christine Joyce Mutoc

The study of the Earth’s material composition, appearance, structure, and processes.

a. Physical Geology
b. Historical Geology
c. Geology

a. Physical Geology

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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

b. Historical Geology

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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

c. continental crust

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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. oceanic crust

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Surrounds or covers the core; constitutes the great bulk of Earth.

a. Lithosphere
b. Mesophere
c. Mantle
d. Core

c. Mantle

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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

d. Core

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A strong rigid outer layer consisting of the crust and a portion of the upper mantle.

a. mesophere
b. asthenosphere
c. guttenberg
d. lithosphere

d. lithosphere

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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

b. asthenosphere

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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

c. oceanic basin

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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. shield

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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

b. stable platform
c. craton

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Uplifted mountain ranges that are sites of tectonic convergence.

a. shield
b. stable platform
c. craton
d. folded mountain belts

d. folded mountain belts

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The rocks are ________ in a geologic time frame; most are less than 150 million years old.

a. new
b. young
c. old

b. young

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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

e. oceanic ridge

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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

c. abyssal plain

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Isolated peaks of submarine volcanoes.

a. continental margins
b. seamounts
c. abyssal plain
d. trenches
e. oceanic ridge

b. seamounts

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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

d. trenches

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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. continental margins

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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

b. Tectonics

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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

d. Plate

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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

c. Plate tectonics

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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. Plate boundary

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Definition of a mineral.

N-aturally occurring
I-norganic
H-omogeneous solid
D-efinite chemical composition
O-rdered atomic arrangement

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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. Law of Constancy of Interfacial Angles

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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

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Natural crystal faces assuming a specific geometric form.

a. crystal form
b. cleavage
c. hardness
d. specific gravity

a. crystal form

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The measure of a mineral’s resistance to abrasion.

a. crystal form
b. cleavage
c. hardness
d. specific gravity

c. hardness

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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

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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

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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

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It is the color of a mineral in powder form

a. streak
b. specific gravity
c. hardness
d. color

a. streak

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Magmas stored within the crust

a. intrusive
b. extrusive

a. intrusive

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Magma erupted on the surface either as lava or as pyroclastic material.

a. intrusive
b. extrusive

b. extrusive

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Concordant plutons; they are flat, tabular bodies intruded parallel to the layering.

a. laccoliths
b. dikes
c. sills
d. volcanic neck

c. sills

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An intrusive structure apparently formed within the throat of a volcano.

a. laccoliths
b. dikes
c. sills
d. volcanic neck

d. volcanic neck

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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

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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

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Enormous, complex rock bodies that cover at least 100 km2.

a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. laccoliths
d. stocks

a. batholiths

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Plutons similar to batholiths but smaller in size (<100 km2)

a. batholiths
b. dikes
c. laccoliths
d. stocks

d. stocks

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Surface accumulation of sand, clay and decayed plant material (called humus)

a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock

a. Soil

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The solid rock underlying all parts of the land surface.

a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock

d. Bedrock

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Soil and loose fragments that may cover the bedrock.

a. Soil
b. Regolith
c. Weathering
d. Bedrock

b. Regolith

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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

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The unweathered rock beneath the soil; also termed as parent rock.

a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil

c. bedrock

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Stony part of the soil, lacking organic matter.

a. soil horizons
b. soil
c. bedrock
d. subsoil

d. subsoil

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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

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Loose fragments may cover the bedrock.

a. loam
b. topsoil
c. regolith
d. subsoil

c. regolith

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The upper fertile portion of soil.

a. loam
b. topsoil
c. regolith
d. subsoil

b. topsoil

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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

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Finest sediment, at least 1/256 mm in size.

a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt

a. clay

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Grains from 1/16-2 mm

a. clay
b. gravel
c. sand
d. silt

c. sand

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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

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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

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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

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Precipitated directly or indirectly by the activities of organisms.

a. chemical
b. biochemical
c. detrital

b. biochemical

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Particles precipitated directly from water.

a. chemical
b. biochemical
c. detrital

a. chemical

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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

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The grinding away of sharp edges and corners of rock fragments during transport.

a. preservation
b. sorting
c. rounding
d. deposition

c. rounding

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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

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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

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The formation of new crystalline mineral grains in a rock.

a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization

d. recrystallization

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The conversion of sediment into rock trough such processes as compaction.

a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization

c. lithification

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The location in which deposition occurs.

a. environmental deposition
b. preservation
c. lithification
d. recrystallization

a. environmental deposition

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The condition is shown by sedimentary rocks being disposed of in horizontal layers of beds.

a. lamina
b. stratification
c. bed

b. stratification

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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

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The thinnest or smallest recognizable unit layer of original deposition in a sediment.

a. lamina
b. stratification
c. bed

a. lamina

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Minerals separate into distinct light and dark layers or lenses.

a. facies
b. gneissic
c. slaty
d. schistose

b. gneissic

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The amount of deformation caused by stress.

a. Strain
b. Relief
c. Structural geology
d. Stress

a. Strain

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

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

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

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

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

A trough-shaped fold.

a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline

d. Syncline

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

A fold in which the axial plane has been overturned.

a. Recumbent fold
b. Overturned fold
c. Isoclinal fold
d. Syncline

a. Recumbent fold

It is the bending or warping of rock strata caused by compressive stress.

a. Monocline
b. Folding
c. Syncline
d. Anticline

b. Folding

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

An arch-shaped fold.

a. Monocline
b. Folding
c. Syncline
d. Anticline

d. Anticline

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

The direction of an imaginary line connecting the points of maximum flexure of the fold.

a. axial plane
b. limbs
c. axis

c. axis

The two sides or legs of the fold.

a. axial plane
b. limbs
c. axis

b. limbs

Circular or elliptical structural or topographic highs in which beds dip away to all directions.

a. basin
b. domes
c. plunge

b. domes

The axes of most folds are inclined. The angle of dip of its axis is the __________.

a. basin
b. domes
c. plunge

c. plunge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The block at the top of a dipping fault or structure.

a. hanging wall
b. footwall
c. graben
d. horst

a. hanging wall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Formed when the underlying eroded rocks are crystalline, either igneous or metamorphic.

a. angular unconformity
b. unconformity
c. disconformity
d. nonconformity

d. nonconformity

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

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

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

Due to volcanic activity (eruption or rising magma under a volcano)

a. earthquake
b. volcanic
c. tectonic

b. volcanic

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

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

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

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

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

Finding out how much damage the quake has caused.

a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter

a. intensity

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

The point on the earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter.

a. intensity
b. magnitude
c. epicenter
d. focus or hypocenter

c. epicenter

The paper record of earth vibration.

a. seismograph
b. seismogram
c. seismometer

b. seismogram

A seismometer with a recording device that produces a permanent record of earth motion.

a. seismograph
b. seismogram
c. seismometer

a. seismograph

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

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

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

The temperature increase with depth into the earth.

a. m-discontinuity
b. geothermal gradient
c. isostasy
d. heat flow

b. geothermal gradient

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Occurs when material moves downslope as a viscous fluid.

a. flow
b. slide
c. fall

a. flow

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

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

Free fall of rocks from steep cliffs.

a. rock fall
b. rock slide
c. slump
d. debris slide

a. rock fall

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

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

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

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

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

Downward movement of earth material lying at or near the surface

a. subsidence
b. talus
c. subaqueous mass movement
d. earthflow

a. subsidence

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

Water- saturated sediments flowing or sliding downslope of the seafloor.

a. subsidence
b. talus
c. subaqueous mass movement
d. earthflow

c. subaqueous mass movement

Refers to the downslope movement of debris under saturated conditions.

a. earthflow
b. subsidence
c. solifluction
d. creep

c. solifluction

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

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

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

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

The upper surface of the zone of saturation; mimic the surface topography.

a. porosity
b. permeability
c. groundwater
d. water table

d. water table

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.