Geology Trivia Quiz: Introduction To Earth! Test
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With the academic year coming to a close, it is essential to ensure that we have refreshed our memory on all things covered in the geology class. The quiz below is set up from chapter 8, 2, 7, 12, & 13 composed of online and in-class quizzes and in-class assignments. Give it a try and be sure to come back for the quizzes on the other topics.
- 1.Which of the following features only forms underwater?
- A.
Aa
- B.
Pyroclasts
- C.
Pahoehoe
- D.
Pillow basalt
- E.
Volcanic breccia
- 2.Ductile rocks deform by faulting
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 3.What types of plate boundaries can be found along the western coast of the US
- A.
O-O divergent
- B.
C-C divergent
- C.
O-O convergent
- D.
O-C convergent
- E.
C-C convergent
- F.
O-O transform
- G.
C-C transform
- 4.Where would you expect to find earthquakes and volcanism occurring together?
- A.
O-O divergent
- B.
C-C divergent
- C.
O-O convergent
- D.
O-C convergent
- E.
C-C convergent
- F.
O-O transform
- G.
C-C transform
- 5.Where would you expect to find only earthquakes?
- A.
O-O divergent
- B.
C-C divergent
- C.
O-O convergent
- D.
O-C convergent
- E.
C-C convergent
- F.
O-O transform
- G.
C-C transform
- 6.What type of volcano has alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic materials
- A.
Shield volcano
- B.
Cinder cone
- C.
Stratovolcano
- D.
Volcanic dome
- 7.A (an) ____ eruption is characterized by lava flows through long, nearly vertical cracks in Earth's surface.
- A.
Fissure
- B.
Pyroclastic
- C.
Rhyolitic
- D.
Andesitic basaltic
- 8.Calderas are larger features than craters
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 9.Phenocrysts are solidified fragments of volcanic material that are ejected into the air
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 10.Fumaroles are hot water fountains that spout intermittently
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 11.Which of the following settings is LEAST likely to erupt basaltic lavas
- A.
Oceanic plate subducting underneath oceanic plate
- B.
Oceanic plate diverging from oceanic plate
- C.
Hot spot volcanism
- D.
Oceanic plate subducting underneath continental plate
- 12.A (an) ___ is a torrential flow of wet volcanic debris
- A.
Flank collapse
- B.
Eruption cloud
- C.
Caldera collapse
- D.
Earthquake
- E.
Lahar
- 13.Which of the following items causes the most volcanic related fatalities
- A.
Tsunamis
- B.
Lahars
- C.
Pyroclastic flows
- D.
Ash
- E.
Floods
- 14.Volcanically active areas can be good sources of heat energy for geothermal power
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 15.If all the rocks in a mountain are basalt where would this mountain be
- A.
An ash flow deposit area
- B.
An area with a recent pyroclastic eruption
- C.
An area next to a caldera
- D.
An area near an active geyser field
- E.
A large igneous province area
- 16.A granite formed with 1000 atoms of uranium-238 (a radioactive isotope). The rock now contains 500 atoms of uranium-237. How many half lives of uranium-238 have passed since the rock formed
- A.
0
- B.
1
- C.
2
- D.
3
- E.
4
- 17.The relative age of the granite can be calculated knowing the half life of uranium-238 is 4.5 billion years
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 18.In which eon did humans evolve
- A.
Archean
- B.
Hadean
- C.
Phanerozoic
- D.
Proterozoic
- 19.All eons encompass different amounts of geologic time
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 20.You have identified an erosional surface located between gneiss (below the surface) and limestone (above the surface). What name BEST describes the erosional surface?
- A.
Unconformity
- B.
Disconformity
- C.
Angular unconformity
- D.
Nonconformity
- 21.You have identified a basaltic dike in horizontal layers of a regionally extensive sandstone. what statement best describes the relationship between the dike and the sandstone?
- A.
The dike is younger than the sandstone
- B.
The sandstone is younger than the dike
- C.
The sandstone and the dike are the same age
- 22.What statement best describes the principle of superposition
- A.
Sediments are deposited as essentially horizontal layers
- B.
Inclusions are older than the rocks they are contained in
- C.
Sediments spread out in all directions when they are deposited
- D.
Undisturbed sedimentary layers get younger from bottom to top
- 23.Which of the following represents the smallest division of geologic time
- A.
Eon
- B.
Epoch
- C.
Era
- D.
Period
- 24.A mass extinction is a short period in time in which a small percentage of species dies
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 25.Which of the following can change the rate of radioactive decay
- A.
Changes in temperature
- B.
Chemical reactions
- C.
Changes in pressure
- D.
Nothing changes decay rates
- 26.Hanging wall goes up while the foot wall goes down at a 20 degree angle, what kind of fault is this
- A.
Normal dip slip fault
- B.
Reverse dip slip fault
- C.
Oblique slip fault
- D.
Thrust fault
- 27.A basin is a synclinal structure with strata that dip toward a central point
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 28.In what large scale tectonic setting do fold and thrust belts form
- A.
C-C transform
- B.
C-C divergence
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C convergence
- 29.Strike describes the angle at which rocks dive into the ground
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 30.What type of deformation texture best describes a myloniite?
- A.
Breccia
- B.
Joint
- C.
Fault
- D.
Fold
- E.
Cataclastic
- 31.Which of the following structures has the youngest rocks at its edges
- A.
Basin
- B.
Syncline
- C.
Dome
- D.
Rift valley
- E.
Fault plane
- 32.Which of the following is not evidence for continental drift
- A.
Fossil distribution
- B.
Rock assemblage distribution
- C.
Jig saw puzzle fit of continents
- D.
Earthquakes at transform plates
- 33.Geologic maps are color maps that represent rock formations exposed at earth's surface
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 34.In which of the following settings would you expect to find volcanism and earthquakes
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
O-O transform
- C.
O-O Divergence
- D.
C-C transform
- 35.Which of the following statements about supercontinents is false
- A.
The supercontinent Columbia formed more recently than the supercontinent Rodinia
- B.
There is typically one giant earth ocean when a supercontinent forms
- C.
Pangea was the last supercontinent to form
- D.
A supercontinent will form in the future
- 36.Plate area decreases at divergent plate boundaries
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 37.Which rocks do scientists look at to study magnetic anomalies
- A.
Limestone that formed from coral reefs
- B.
Shale that formed in ancient lakes
- C.
Basalt found on the seafloor
- D.
Marble that formed during contact metamorphism
- E.
Sandstone that lithified from a sand dune
- 38.All tectonic plates move across earth at the same rate
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 39.What formula is used to calculate seafloor spreading rates
- A.
Speed= distance/time
- B.
Speed= time/distance
- C.
Time= speed/distance
- D.
Time= distance/speed
- E.
Distance = speed/time
- 40.In which setting will a volcanic island arc form
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O convergence
- 41.In which setting will the tallest mountains be created
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O divergence
- 42.In which setting will rift valleys form
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O convergence
- 43.What kind of force(s) is (are) responsible for strike slip faulting
- A.
Tension
- B.
Compression
- C.
Shearing
- D.
Tension and shearing
- 44.The study of layers in sedimentary rock is known as
- A.
Geochronology
- B.
Paleontology
- C.
Stratigraphy
- D.
Sedimentation
- 45.Which of the following is the best statesment of the principle of original horizontality
- A.
Most igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in the earths crust form horizontal layers
- B.
Igenous intrusions form horizontal layers
- C.
Sediments are deposited as horizontal layers
- D.
Metamorphic isograds are horizontal before deformation
- 46.The smallest division of geologic time is the era
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 47.What is an unconformity
- A.
A gap in the geologic record
- B.
A sequence of deformed rocks
- C.
A sedimentary layer of variable thickness
- D.
A period of deposition
- 48.Which of the following is an erosion surface that separates two sets of sedimentary layers with non parallel bedding planes
- A.
Cross bed
- B.
Disconformity
- C.
Nonconformity
- D.
Angular unconformity
- 49.Which of the following statements about radioactivity is false
- A.
A radioactive element decays at a constant rate
- B.
The decay product of a radioactive element is called the daughter product
- C.
Radioactivity is the spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an atom
- D.
Energy is consumed during radioactivedecay
- 50.A rock formed with 1000 atoms of a radioactive parent element, but contains only 250 radioactive parent atoms today. If the half-life for the radioactive element is one million years, how old is the rock?
- A.
2 million years old
- B.
250,000 years old
- C.
4 million years old
- D.
750,000 years old
- 51.Many boundaries of the geologic time scale are marked by mass extinctions.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 52.Human beings (homo sapiens) evolved during which geologic era?
- A.
Precambrian
- B.
Mesozoic
- C.
Paleozoic
- D.
Cenozoic
- 53.Which of the following radioactive isotopes is the most useful for dating very young (<10,000 years old) wood and charcoal?
- A.
Carbon-14
- B.
Potassium-40
- C.
Uranium-238
- D.
Rubidium-87
- 54.I. Convergent plate boundaries II. Divergent plate boundaries III. Transform fault boundaries Where are the world highest mountain ranges created
- A.
I,II, & III
- B.
II & III
- C.
I
- D.
I & II
- 55.Which of the following is a type of convergent plate boundary?
- A.
Continental rift
- B.
Mid ocean ridge
- C.
Spreading center
- D.
Subduction zone
- 56.Continental drift is the large-scale movement of continents.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 57.On a map of the seafloor, the boundaries between normally magnetized oceanic crust and reversely magnetized oceanic crust are called __________.
- A.
Sutures
- B.
Isochrons
- C.
Isograds
- D.
Isotherms
- 58.Mid-ocean ridges are also referred to as _________.
- A.
Hot spots
- B.
Island arcs
- C.
Spreading centers
- D.
Trench zones
- 59.Magnetic anomalies are long, narrow, parallel bands that are almost symmetrical with the mid-ocean ridge.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 60.An island arc forms when there is __________ convergence.
- A.
O-C
- B.
O-O
- C.
C-C
- D.
None of the above
- 61.__________ are the most extensive mountain ranges on Earth today.
- A.
The alps
- B.
Mid ocean ridges
- C.
The Himalayas
- D.
The rockies
- 62.The east coast of North America is __________.
- A.
Divergent plate boundary
- B.
Convergent plate boundary
- C.
Transform plate boundary
- D.
Not a plate boundary
- 63.Which of the following statements best describes the behavior of rocks during deformation?
- A.
Brittle materials deform by folding, whereas ductile materials deform by faulting.
- B.
Both brittle and ductile materials deform by faulting.
- C.
Brittle materials deform by faulting, whereas ductile materials deform by folding.
- D.
Both brittle and ductile materials deform by folding.
- 64.The dip of a unit represents the ___________.
- A.
Direction of intersection of the rock layer and a horizontal surface
- B.
Angle at which the bed inclines from the horizontal
- C.
Part of the unit that has been eroded
- D.
Tilt of the rock unit before deformation
- 65.A geologic cross section is a diagram that shows features that would be visible if once could make a slice through the crust.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 66.Which of the following types of tectonic forces tends to push two sides of a body in opposite directions so that they slide horizontally past one another?
- A.
Shearing forces
- B.
Tensional forces
- C.
Torsional forces
- D.
Compressive forces
- 67.Reverse faults form in response to ______ forces.
- A.
Compressive
- B.
Torsional
- C.
Shearing
- D.
Tensional
- 68.What is a thrust fault
- A.
Low angle oblique fault
- B.
Low angle normal fault
- C.
Low angle reverse fault
- D.
Low angle strike slip fault
- 69.The San Andreas Fault is an example of a left-lateral strike-slip fault.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 70.In an anticline, ________.
- A.
The oldest rocks occur in the center and the limbs dip toward the center
- B.
The youngest rocks occur in the center and the limbs dip away from the center
- C.
The youngest rocks occur in the center and the limbs dip toward the center
- D.
The oldest rocks occur in the center and the limbs dip away from the center
- 71.The surface that divides a fold into two symmetrical halves is called the __________.
- A.
Limb
- B.
Axial plane
- C.
Fold axis
- D.
Fault
- 72.What type of structure is characterized by rock layers that dip radially toward a central point?
- A.
Syncline
- B.
Anticline
- C.
Basin
- D.
Dome
- 73.Which of the following statements about lava is true?
- A.
Basaltic lavas have higher silica content than rhyolitic lavas.
- B.
High temperature lavas are less viscous than low-temperature lavas.
- C.
The viscosity of a lava increases as the silica content decreases.
- D.
The more gas a lava contains, the less violent the eruption.
- 74.A volcano is a hill or mountain that is composed of lava and other erupted materials.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 75.What is the name for a basaltic lava flow that has a ropy, folded surface?
- A.
Aa
- B.
Breccia
- C.
Tuff
- D.
Pahoehoe
- 76.When does volcanism not occur
- A.
Hot spots
- B.
Mid ocean ridges
- C.
Subduction zones
- D.
Continent continent collision zones
- 77.Solidified fragments of volcanic material ejected into the air are called ______.
- A.
Pillow basalts
- B.
Phenocrysts
- C.
Vesicles
- D.
Pyroclasts
- 78.Hydrothermal activity ivolves the circulation of water through hot volcanic rocks and magmas.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 79.Small vents on volcanoes that emit gas fumes and steam are called ________.
- A.
Vesicles
- B.
Lahars
- C.
Fumaroles
- D.
Calderas
- 80.Craters are larger than calderas
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 81.What type of seismic waves are S waves?
- A.
Shear waves
- B.
Tsunamis
- C.
Compressional waves
- D.
Surface waves
- 82.Earthquakes occur when rocks under stress suddenly fail.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 83.What type of seismic wave causes the most building damage?
- A.
S waves
- B.
They all cause building damage
- C.
Surface waves
- D.
P waves
- 84.Earthquakes do NOT cause tsunamis.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 85.How many seismograph stations are needed to locate the epicenter of an earthquake?
- A.
4
- B.
3
- C.
1
- D.
2
- 86.A recurrence interval for earthquakes refers to the time between earthquake ruptures.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 87.What does the elastic rebound theory describe?
- A.
The build-up and release of stress during an earthquake
- B.
The formation of mountain ranges by successive earthquakes
- C.
The uplift of the crust in response to erosion
- D.
The fluctuations in groundwater prior to an earthquake
- 88.Which of the following correctly lists the order in which seismic waves arrive at a seismograph station?
- A.
P waves → surface waves → S waves
- B.
S waves → P waves → surface waves
- C.
Surface waves → P waves → S waves
- D.
P waves → S waves → surface waves
- 89.The focus of an earthquake is located geographically above the epicenter of an earthquake.
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 90.The ground motion during a Richter magnitude 8 earthquake is ______ times greater than the ground motion during a Richter magnitude 6 earthquake.
- A.
1000
- B.
2
- C.
100
- D.
10
- 91.Given that the north american plate is headed westward (and includes basically the entire continent), is the east coast of the United States in danger of serious earthquakes anytime soon?
- A.
Yes, it's not on a plate boundary
- B.
Yes, it's on a plate boundary
- C.
No, it's not on a plate boundary
- D.
No, it's on a plate boundary
- 92.The western coast of the United States all one type of plate boundary
- A.
True
- B.
False
- 93.The indian subcontinent collided with Eurasia during the early Paleogene (~55 million years ago), raising the Himalaya Mountains. What kind of plate interaction occurred?
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
O-O divergence
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O convergence
- 94.In which setting will continental rift be created
- A.
Convergent plate boundaries
- B.
Divergent plate boundaries
- C.
Transform fault boundaries
- 95.Which type of plate boundary is represented by Japan & the Mariana Islands
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O divergence
- F.
O-O convergence
- G.
O-O transform
- 96.Which type of plate boundary is represented by Washington
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O divergence
- F.
O-O convergence
- G.
O-O transform
- 97.Which type of plate boundary is represented by the Andes Mountains
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O divergence
- F.
O-O convergence
- G.
O-O transform
- 98.Which type of plate boundary is represented by the San Andres Fault
- A.
C-C convergence
- B.
C-C transform
- C.
O-C convergence
- D.
C-C divergence
- E.
O-O divergence
- F.
O-O convergence
- G.
O-O transform
- 99.What is the correct order
- A.
Era, eon, period, epoch
- B.
Period, era, epoch, eon
- C.
Eon, era, period, epoch
- D.
Epoch, eon, period, era
- 100.The hanging wall moves down while the foot wall moves up. what type of fault is this?
- A.
Normal dip slip
- B.
Reverse dip slip
- C.
Thrust dip slip
- D.
Strike slip
- E.
Oblique slip
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