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Geology > TEST 1 > Flashcards

TEST 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Why is human population growth often considered the foremost environmental problem?

A

Increasing population strains resources and creates additional wastes.

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2
Q

What is uniformitarianism?

A

a concept that states that present processes operated in the past, at similar rates

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3
Q

What is sustainability?

A

development that ensures that future generations will have equal access to the resources that our planet offers

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4
Q

How are the impacts of natural hazards linked to population growth?

A

Population growth concentrates people and resources, such that the impacts of an individual natural hazard can be greater.

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5
Q

What is a scientific theory?

A

a hypothesis that has withstood extensive testing

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6
Q

A group of individuals capable of interbreeding is called a(n)

A

species

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7
Q

What is the Gaia hypothesis?

A

a set of hypotheses that likens the Earth to a superorganism with interrelated, mutually adjusting systems

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8
Q

What percent of Earth’s history had elapsed before the first organisms appeared?

A

24%

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9
Q

As an ecosystem evolves following disturbance, it follows the path of

A

succession

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10
Q

One result of wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park is

A

regrowth of streamside vegetation

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11
Q 
Which of the following does NOT describe a mineral?
Naturally occurring,
Inorganic,
A specific chemical composition, or
Always comprised of one element
A

Always comprised of one element

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12
Q

What is limestone made of?

A

Calcite

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13
Q

Which of the following minerals is a common clay mineral used for making pottery?
Feldspar

A

Kaolinite

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14
Q

The mineral property “cleavage” refers to the

A

the tendency for a mineral to split along planar surfaces as a result of its atomic structure

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15
Q 
Which is the hardest of the following minerals?
Calcite
Gypsum
Talc
Quartz
A

Quartz

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16
Q 
For mineral identification purposes which of the following is the least reliable physical property?
Streak
Cleavage
Color
Hardness
A

Color

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17
Q

The concept that identifies that the three basic groups of rocks are all related is called the

A

rock cycle

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18
Q

Rocks that form from the solidification of magma are called

A

Intrusive igneous rocks

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19
Q

How many cleavage planes does muscovite and biotite have?

A

One

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20
Q

The chemical formula (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 describes what mineral

A

Olivine

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21
Q

Isotopes are

A

atoms of the same element with different atomic masses

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22
Q 
Which of the following is not a mineral?
volcanic glass
ice
quartz
plagioclase feldspar
A

Volcanic Glass

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23
Q

Why are silicate minerals the most common minerals in the crust?

A

because oxygen and silicon are the most common elements in the crust

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24
Q

Why are ferromagnesian minerals easily weathered?

A

they are prone to oxidation

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25
Q

Intrusive igneous rocks differ from extrusive igneous rocks primarily in their

A

crystal sizes

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26
Q

Detrital sedimentary rocks differ from chemical sedimentary rocks in that

A

detrital sedimentary rocks are composed of visible pieces of preexisting rocks

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27
Q

Some metamorphic rocks are potential environmental hazards because

A

foliation can represent a plane of weakness in the rock

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28
Q

Plastic deformation results in

A

permanent change in shape of the rocks

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29
Q

Unconformities represent

A

a gap in the geologic record

30
Q

T of F: Porphyritic textures in igneous rocks result from two phases of crystallization.

A

True

31
Q

Which of the following concepts was developed earliest?
continental drift,
plate tectonics,
seafloor spreading, or
All three concepts were developed at approximately the same time.

A

Continental Drift

32
Q

How old are the fossils of the reptile Mesosaurus found in Africa and South America that suggest the two continents were once together?

A

300 Million Years Old

33
Q

When was the theory of plate tectonics developed?

A

1960’s

34
Q

New lithosphere is created where?

A

at mid-ocean ridges.

35
Q

Which of the following is NOT associated with convergent plate boundaries?

A

spreading centers

36
Q

How old are the oldest rocks on the ocean floor?

A

approximately 200 million years old

37
Q

What drives plate tectonics?

A

mantle convection

38
Q

What type of plate boundary are the Hawaiian volcanoes located on?

A

They are not located on a plate boundary

39
Q

The width of seafloor isochrons is directly related to

A

spreading rate.

40
Q

An island arc forms when there is __________ convergence.

A

ocean-ocean

41
Q

How does earthquake magnitude differ from intensity?

A

Magnitude reflects energy release, while intensity reflects the amount of shaking.

42
Q

On what basis are Mercalli intensity values assigned to locations?

A

qualitative perceptions of and structural response to the shaking

43
Q

The 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes were different from most California earthquakes because

A

the New Madrid earthquakes were centered in a plate interior

44
Q

How can injection of liquid wastes cause earthquakes?

A

it increases fluid pressure and reduces friction

45
Q

Tsunamis are generated by

A

vertical displacement of ocean water

46
Q

The major goal of the U.S. earthquake hazard reduction program is to
develop an earthquake warning system for southern California

A

reduce earthquake hazards through understanding of risks and prediction of hazards

47
Q

The tsunami warning system in the region of the 2004 tsunami

A

did not exist

48
Q

The first step in producing a timely warning of a tsunami is

A

detection of a possible tsunami-producing earthquake

49
Q

Tsunamis can be detected on the open ocean through

A

measurement of changes in pressure exerted on the sea bottom by the water column

50
Q

In what region did a major tsunami strike in late 2004?

A

Indian Ocean

51
Q

What is the principal difference between the inner core and outer core?

A

The inner core is solid while the outer core is liquid.

52
Q

The Mohorovicic discontinuity represents

A

the boundary between mantle and crust

53
Q

How does the lithosphere differ from the asthenosphere?

A

The lithosphere is stronger than the asthenosphere.

54
Q

Why was Alfred Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift not taken seriously by most geologists?

A

his mechanism for movement of the continents was faulty

55
Q

How did seafloor spreading revive Alfred Wegener’s ideas about continental drift?

A

Sea floor spreading presented a viable mechanism for moving the continents.

56
Q

At convergent plate boundaries

A

the plate of higher density subducts into the mantle

57
Q

Transform plate boundaries are marked by

A

two plates sliding relative to one another

58
Q

How do magnetic stripes on the ocean floor serve as evidence for seafloor spreading?

A

Their symmetry on either side of the mid-ocean ridge shows that new crust is created, then split.

59
Q

Hot spots are recorded by

A

a sequence of volcanic centers younging toward the hot spot

60
Q

The process of isostasy is responsible for

A

causing rock uplift in mountain ranges in response to erosion

61
Q

Examining the materials composing Earth and seeks to understand the many processes that operate beneath and upon its surface refers to..

A

Physical Geology

62
Q

What Seeks an understanding of the origin of Earth and its development through time?

A

Historical Geology

63
Q

How is old is Earth?

A

About 4.6 billion years old

64
Q

How long ago did we see multicellular life?

A

500 million years ago

65
Q

The sudden appearance of animals with shells and skeletons refers to…

A

The Cambrian Radiation

66
Q

How long ago were dinosaurs walking the Earth?

A

about 65 million

67
Q

The Cenozoic Era refers to..

A

“Recent Life” or 65 million year until today

68
Q

A Chemical composition & crystalline structure are the two most important properties of a…

A

Mineral

69
Q

What scale is used to measure hardness in minerals?

A

Mohs Hardness Scale

70
Q

This mineral is the worlds main source of aluminum

A

Bauxite

Geology (3 decks)

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