Notice

If you get a question wrong, you can still click on the other answers. This will open up hints and explanations (if available), which will provide additional information.

Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, no guarantees for the currency or accuracy of information are made. It takes several proof readings and rewrites to bring the quiz to an exceptional level. If you find an error, please contact me as soon as possible. Please indicate the question ID-Number or description because server may randomize the questions and answers.

Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

Please wait while the activity loads.
If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Also, this page requires javascript. Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled.

If loading fails, click here to try again

Some questions have hints and explanations. Click Start to begin.

Start

Congratulations - you have completed Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam.

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. With incorrect multiple attempts your score is %%PERCENTAGE%%

Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

The two most abundant rocks within oceanic crust are... (ID-GLF-11)

A	shale and limestone
B	basalt and gabbro
C	basalt and shale
D	shale and gabbro

Question 2

When does sediment liquefaction occur? (ID-GLF-55)

A	It occurs as the heat from magma melts the wall rock (country rock) resulting melting of the surrounding.
B	It occurs when ground shake due to P-wave vibrates sediments hard enough resulting solids behaving like liquids.
C	It occurs when sediments from deep underground which are formed under high pressure were exhumed in a short period of time.
D	It occur when the pore water pressure increased enough to push sediment grains apart from each other.
E	It occurs due to nuclear radiation caused by decomposition of radioactive elements within sediments and minerals.

Question 3

When the ocean formed at the early stage of the Earth, the atmosphere because rich in what type of gas? (ID-GLF-32)

A	carbon dioxide
B	oxygen
C	ammonia
D	nitrogen
E	water vapor

Question 4

The ___ is defined by the average environmental conditions while ___ is defined by the local and short term environmental conditions. (ID-GLF-42)

A	climate , weather
B	temperature . heat
C	high pressure systems , low pressure systems
D	precipitation . rain
E	weather seasons , plate tectonics

Question 5

Which of the following describes the earthquake waves that travel through the interior of the Earth? (ID-GLF-08)

A	Rayleigh waves
B	Body waves
C	Love waves
D	Interior waves

Question 6

Aquifers are __I__ and aquitards are __I__. (ID-GLF-86)

A	I. geologic materials that transmit water II. geologic materials that act as a barrier to flow
B	I. also known as vadose zones II. also known as zones of saturation
C	I. geologic materials that act as a barrier to flow II. geologic materials that act as a barrier to flow
D	I. subsurface regions where water accumulates II. subsurface structures that allow free flow of water
E	I. sediment or rock structures that has very low permeability II. sediment or rock structures that has very high permeability
F	I. subsurface structures that allow free flow of water II. subsurface regions where water accumulates

Question 6 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 7

At what range of depth does the brittle-plastic transition occurs in continental crust? (ID-GLF-57)

A	About 50 to 70 km
B	About 30 to 40 km
C	About 10 to 15 km
D	About 0 to 5 km
E	About 90 to 100 km

Question 8

Majority of volcanic gas is composed of what type of compound? (ID-GLF-31)

A	ammonia
B	methane
C	nitrogen
D	carbon dioxide
E	water

Question 9

Which of the following is most likely a trace fossil? (ID-GLF-68)

A	Skeletons
B	Shell fragments
C	Petrified wood
D	Amber embedded fossils
E	Burrows

Question 10

The following diagram depict a map view of a fault plane displacing a geologic units. Based on the displacement, what kind of fault is it? (ID-GLF-77)

A	Right-lateral strike slip fault
B	Left-lateral strike slip fault
C	Thrust fault
D	Normal fault
E	Reverse fault

Question 10 Explanation:

The key term "map view" should taken in to account. If you do not pay attention to that two words, you may pick the normal fault.

Question 11

Diversity of genera/organisms peaked during what time? (ID-GLF-21)

A	Late Cenozoic
B	Early Proterozoic
C	Late Mesozoic
D	Early Cenozoic
E	Early Cambrian

Question 12

Which of the following statement is true about seismic waves? (ID-GLF-115)

A	Surface seismic waves are the fastest in terms of travel time.
B	Seismic waves are able to sustain their energy in softer mediums for a longer period of time.
C	Seismic waves that enters a faster medium from a slower medium will undergo refraction towards the normal.
D	Seismic waves travel faster in high density mediums.
E	Seismic waves were first discovered by Andrija Mohorovicic.

Question 13

What is 3H on the following diagram? (ID-GLF-30)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Cretaceous
B	Pennsylvanian
C	Carboniferous
D	Devonian
E	Jurassic
F	Permian

Question 14

What is a seismic zone? (ID-GLF-73)

A	The epicenter of an earthquake.
B	An area that is damaged by a recent earthquake.
C	An area that has been known to have earthquakes in high frequency in the past.
D	None of the listed answers are correct.
E	An area where geoscientists predicted to have an earthquake in near future.

Question 15

In ___ volcanic eruption, groundwater interacts with the magma and the eruption blasts stream, ash and coarser blocks skyward, but little if any lava appears at the surface. (ID-GLF-72)

A	strombolian
B	surtseyan
C	vulcanian
D	phreatic
E	plinean

Question 16

Oil forming temperature range is known as the... (ID-GLF-51)

A	critical window.
B	oil window.
C	ideal window.
D	critical temperature.
E	decomposition temperature.
F	ideal temperature.

Question 17

What is the exaggeration factor for a cross section with horizontal scale of 1:20,000 and vertical scale of 1:10,000? (ID-GLF-79)

A	Factor of 10,000
B	Factor of 1
C	Factor of 3
D	Factor of 20,000
E	Factor of 2

Question 18

What is competence of a sediment transport system? (ID-GLF-93)

A	It measures the largest clast/sediment size a stream/river can transport.
B	It measures the volume of sediments transported by a stream/river system.
C	It measure the flow rate of sediments at a fixed given location.
D	It measures the rate of sediment supply to a stream/river system.
E	It measures the rate at which the transport system deposit its load.

Question 18 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 19

What is the difference between a joint and a fault? (ID-GLF-106)

A	Joints are fractures that have no offsets, while faults are fractures with offsets.
B	Joints are much smaller in scale than faults.
C	Joints are usually associated with igneous processes and faults are usually associated with orogenic processes.
D	Joints only occur in softer materials such as sediments and faults occur in hard rocks.
E	Joints are planar metamorphic fabrics while faults are planer surfaces of physical separations within rocks.

Question 19 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 20

A geologic fold structure that is shaped like an arch where the limbs of the fold have the same dip angle in opposite directions is called a(an)... (ID-GLF-04)

A	symmetrical anticline
B	asymmetrical syncline
C	symmetrical syncline
D	asymmetrical anticline

Question 21

Cone of dispersion will result in... (ID-GLF-89)

A	lowering of the groundwater table at the global scale.
B	increased availability of groundwater in shallow wells.
C	raising of the groundwater table at the regional scale.
D	lowering of the groundwater table at the regional scale.
E	raising of the groundwater table at the global scale.

Question 21 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 22

Radiometic age dating techniques using the Ab – Xy system (not areal system) in the mineral quarky (not a real mineral) in the diorite dyke found that the mineral started off with 160 parent isotopes, and today only 20 parent isotopes remain. The half life for the Ab – Xy system is 125 million years. What is the age of the diorite dyke? (ID-GLF-81)

A	375 Ma
B	100 Ma
C	125 Ma
D	300 Ma
E	250 Ma

Question 22 Explanation:

A = A* (1/2)^(t/h) where A=final amount, A*=initial amount, t= time and h=half-life. You would have to isolate t for the above answer.

Question 23

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

A	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.
B	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
C	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
D	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.
E	None of the answers are correct.

Question 24

Which isotopic system has the longest half-life period? (ID-GLF-22)

A	Sm/Nd
B	U/Pb
C	Rb/Sr
D	K/Ar

Question 24 Explanation:

While you do not have to know all the isotopic system, the U/Pb system is so important that at least you should know that.

Question 25

____ is the condition that exists when the buoyancy force pushing lithosphere up equals the gravitational force pulling lithosphere down. (ID-GLF-48)

A	Accretion
B	Mesopause
C	Orogeny
D	Isostasy
E	Induced equilibrium

Question 26

Seismic waves traveling through a faster medium (eg. peridotite) enter a slower medium (eg. sandstone). The waves will ______ as they enter the slower medium. (ID-GLF-74)

A	bent away from the normal
B	be refracted
C	disintegrate
D	bent towards the normal
E	split into several rays

Question 27

The ____ is the layer of air that lies between the surface of the Earth and an elevation of 5 km to 18 km. It is the first (lowest) layer of the Earth's atmosphere. (ID-GLF-35)

A	exosphere
B	troposphere
C	ionosphere
D	stratosphere
E	thermosphere
F	mesosphere

Question 28

Sediments accumulates on fairly flat surfaces. This concept is found in which of the following? (ID-GLF-16)

A	Principle of Uniformitarianism
B	Principle of Original Horizontality
C	Theory of Geologic Evolution
D	Theory of Plate Tectonics
E	Principle of Superposition

Question 29

Which of the following substance is most common in ocean salts? (ID-GLF-64)

A	Sodium
B	Magnesium
C	Calcium
D	Potassium
E	Chloride

Question 30

What is permineralization? (ID-GLF-67)

A	Formation of new minerals when preexisting minerals change into new minerals as a result of an increase in pressure and temperature.
B	The fossilization process in which plant material becomes transformed into rock by the precipitation of silica from groundwater.
C	The process by which a magma becomes progressively more silicic as it cools, because early formed crystals settle out.
D	The clumping together of clay suspended in river water into bunches that are large enough to settle out.
E	The process by which atoms dissolved in a solution come together and form minerals.

Question 31

An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 is _______ than an earthquake of magnitude 4.0. (ID-GLF-118)

A	10 times less
B	100 times less
C	10 times more
D	1 times less
E	1 times more
F	100 times more

Question 31 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 32

What is the magnitude difference between a M5.0 and a M5.5 earthquakes? (ID-GLF-117)

A	5.5%
B	5%
C	31.6%
D	0.5%

Question 32 Explanation:

Log base-10: (10^5) / (10^5.5) x 100 =31.6%

Question 33

Upstream erosion of a river is known as... (ID-GLF-92)

A	surface erosion.
B	headward erosion.
C	dendritic network.
D	drainage erosion.
E	fracture network.

Question 33 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 34

Geothermal energy relies on heat from what source? (ID-GLF-76)

A	Earth's mantle
B	Radioactive decay within the Earth's core
C	Earth's crust
D	Friction heat produced at plate margins
E	Heat absorbed by surface rocks

Question 35

Geologists use this term to describe the condition where the buoyancy force pushing lithosphere up equals to the gravitational force pulling lithosphere down. (ID-GLF-104)

A	Isostasy
B	Orogeny
C	Induced stability
D	Equilibrium

Question 35 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 36

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

A	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
B	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.
C	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
D	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.
E	None of the answers are correct.

Question 37

Which of the following is a characteristic of compressional waves? (ID-GLF-114)

A	Causes ground to ripple up and down like water waves in a lake.
B	Material moves back and forth parallel to the wave direction.
C	They are S-waves that intersects the land surface.
D	They are P-waves that intersects the land surface.
E	Slower than S-waves but faster than Love waves.

Question 37 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 38

Mountain building along convergent boundaries would result in formation of fold thrust belts _____ and the subduction related volcanoes _____. (ID-GLF-101)

A	on overriding plate , landwards
B	seawards , on the extinct arc
C	None of the answers are correct.
D	landwards , on overriding pate

Question 38 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 39

Where is the ocean floor deepest? (ID-GLF-10)

A	in rift valleys
B	on the continental shelf
C	in oceanic trenches
D	on the abyssal plain

Question 40

This type of faults occurred in subsurface and are invisible. (ID-GLF-111)

A	Active faults
B	Inactive faults
C	Blind faults
D	Marginal faults
E	Crustal faults

Question 40 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 41

Alluvial fans deposits are characterized by which of the following features? (ID-GLF-95)

A	Muddy deposits closer to the mouth and sandy deposits distally at the edge.
B	Very thick sandy deposits distally on the edge of the fan.
C	High clastic sediment deposits on the edge of the fan.
D	Gradual decrease in grain size from corasest to finest as moving from the mouth to the distal edge.

Question 41 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 42

Which of the following statement regrading Appalachian orogeny is true? (ID-GLF-103)

A	Appalachian orogeny is occurred as a result of four separate continental collisions. Hint: Three separate continental collisions.
B	Appalachian orogeny occurred after the Grenville orogeny.
C	Appalachian orogeny occurred at the same time as the Grenville orogeny.
D	Allegheny Mountains formed before the both of the Appalachian and Grenville orogenies.

Question 42 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 43

What is the primary contributing factor/force for sick-slip behavior of faults? (ID-GLF-54)

A	Non-uniform boundary conditions between two moving sections.
B	Ductile nature of the two moving sections.
C	Compression pressure along the contact boundary between two moving sections.
D	Friction between two moving sections.
E	Mineral alignment along the contact points between two moving sections.

Question 44

Which of the following statement is most likely correct about wetlands? (ID-GLF-88)

A	The water table must be relatively high in the wetland regions.
B	The vadose zone must be extremely large (deep) in the wetland regions.
C	The hydraulic head must be very high in the wetland regions.
D	The permeability must be very low in the wetland regions.

Question 44 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 45

Stream piracy occurs when.... (ID-GLF-61)

A	water levels are not high enough to maintain the flow resulting in change in stream direction.
B	headward erosion by one stream causes the stream to intersect another stream.
C	reversing of the flow direction due to change in the direction of slope due to tectonic of other events.
D	water levels and flow rates are too high for a river bed to maintain its shape result in collapse of valleys or canyons.

Question 46

All hydrocarbons contain which of the following elements? (ID-GLF-50)

A	Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
B	Carbon and oxygen
C	Carbon and nitrogen
D	Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen
E	Carbon and hydrogen

Question 47

Mountain building involves all of the following except... (ID-GLF-105)
-Deformation
-Faulting
-Folding
-Partial melting
-Foliation
-Metamorphism
-Glaciation
-Erosion
-Sedimentation

A	All of the above can be observed in mountain building processes.
B	Partial melting and Sedimentation
C	Partial melting, Sedimentation and Glaciation
D	Partial melting
E	Glaciation and Sedimentation

Question 47 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 48

Paleozoic era is divided in to several periods. Which is the oldest Paleozoic era? (ID-GLF-19)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Cambrian
B	Cretaceous
C	Paleogene
D	Silurian
E	Devonian

Question 49

This process occurs due to air becoming warmer, buoyant and rises. The primary driving force for this process is the temptation variations on the Earth's surface. What is this process? (ID-GLF-41)

A	Divergent lifting
B	Orographic lifting
C	Frontal lifting
D	Convergence lifting
E	Convective lifting

Question 50

Where do majority of fossils found? (ID-GLF-66)

A	Withing igneous rocks
B	Within sedimentary rocks
C	Within fluvial deposits
D	Within underwater mudslides
E	Within metamorphic rocks

Question 50 Explanation:

Note, almost no fossil can survive metamorphism and very few fossils have been found in very good condition in igneous rocks.

Question 51

What is the best description of the fold depicted in the following cross section? (ID-GLF-84)

A	Symmetric syncline
B	Asymmetric syncline
C	Asymmetric anticline
D	Overturned syncline
E	Symmetric anticline

Question 52

Geophysicists recognized that the Earth’s outer core was liquid because... (ID-GLF-05)

A	S-waves disappeared at the mantle-outer core boundary
B	R-waves disappeared at the mantle-outer core boundary
C	L-waves disappeared at the mantle-outer core boundary
D	P-waves disappeared at the mantle-outer core boundary

Question 53

Abandoned deltas are characterized by which of the following? (ID-GLF-97)

A	Downcutting
B	Subsidence
C	Headward erosion
D	Uplift
E	Smaller lobes

Question 53 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 54

The boundary between the crust and the mantle is know as the... (ID-GLF-07)

A	Mercalli discontinuity
B	Wadati-Benioff discontinuity
C	Wegener discontinuity
D	Mohorovic discontinuity

Question 55

What is a fossil assemblage? (ID-GLF-17)

A	A group of fossils native to a specific region.
B	A group of fossil species found in a specific sequence of sedimentary rock.
C	A set of fossils that can be arranged in chronological order.
D	None of the answers are correct.
E	A set of fossils belongs to the same family of organisms.

Question 56

Which of the following is not a type of primary porosity? (ID-GLF-85)

A	Inter granular porosity
B	Reef framework
C	Vesicles and voids within matrix
D	Dissolution

Question 56 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 57

Ductile behavior occurs below ____ in the crust. (ID-GLF-113)

A	15 - 20 km
B	500 - 1000 m
C	1000 - 1500 m
D	5 - 7km
E	40 - 50 km

Question 57 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 58

What is 3L on the following diagram? (ID-GLF-20)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Triassic
B	Devonian
C	Jurassic
D	Ordovician
E	Pennsylvanian

Question 59

Which of the following statement is correct about oxbow lakes? (ID-GLF-60)

A	All meandering rivers always from oxbow lakes.
B	A meander that has been cut off yet remains filled with water forms an oxbow lake.
C	Oxbow lakes are formed as a result of downcutting of the river into soft sediments hence they are unusually deep areas of a river.
D	Melting of glaciers at the surface (top) due to the heat from sun result in formation of oxbow lakes on top of the glacier itself.
E	Melting of glaciers due to friction between the ground and itself forms oxbow lakes at the base of the glacier.

Question 60

Force per unit area applied to a rock is known as.... (ID-GLF-03)

A	deformation
B	stress
C	strain
D	shear

Question 61

The ____ has a relatively stable and stratified column of air that also contains most of the ozone layer in our atmosphere. (ID-GLF-36)

A	thermosphere
B	stratosphere
C	mesosphere
D	exosphere
E	troposphere

Question 62

What is 1A on the following diagram? (ID-GLF-24)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Pennsylvanian
B	Phanerozoic
C	Proterozoic
D	Cenozoic
E	Mesozoic

Question 63

Following animation demonstrates ___ type of fault. (ID-GLF-45)
Note: Do not worry about the vector arrows. This animation was created for 300/500-level structure classes.
NONE

A	Right lateral strike-slip fault
B	Reverse fault
C	Left lateral strike-slip fault
D	Not enough information is provided in the question.
E	Normal fault

Question 64

Precambrian is divided into two Eons as shown on the following diagram as 1C and 1D. What are they? (ID-GLF-62)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Paleozoic and Mesozoic
B	Paleozoic and Phanerozoic
C	Cenozoic and Mesozoic
D	Phanerozoic and Proterozoic
E	Proterozoic and Archean

Question 65

Why earthquakes are rare below 660 km? (ID-GLF-119)

A	Increase in frictional forces
B	Lower temperatures
C	Lack of water
D	Increase in pressure
E	Mantle is ductile

Question 65 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 66

Which of the following statement is true on biological extinction? (ID-GLF-71)

A	It occurs when the last member of a given family dies without producing any offspring.
B	It occurs when the last member of a given genus dies without producing any offspring.
C	It occurs when the last member of a given species dies without producing any offspring.
D	It occurs when the last member of a given class dies without producing any offspring.
E	It occurs when the last member of a given kingdom dies without producing any offspring.

Question 67

The principle of inclusions state... (ID-GLF-18)

A	inclusions only occur in magma chambers.
B	inclusions are younger than the rock which contains them.
C	inclusions are always older than the rock which contains them.
D	inclusions never appear on the surface of rocks.
E	younger rocks are always will be on top of the older rocks.

Question 68

What process result in pelagic sediment depositions? (ID-GLF-63)

A	Sudden decrease in energy of a river system result in accumulation of the bedloard.
B	Accumulation of microscopic shells and file flakes of clay at the ocean floor.
C	Deposition of organic matter on terrestrial sediments due to decay of plants and organisms.
D	Erosion of high standing sedimentary structures and subsequent deposition of the materials downstream.
E	Deposits of rock fragments and sediments left behind after a glacier has migrated through a region.

Question 69

Arrange the geologic events on the following cross section from the oldest event (first one) to the youngest event (last one). (ID-GLF-83)

I. Deposition and folding of units 1 to 7
II. Intrusion of the granite pluton
III. Deposition of units A to C
IV. Formation of the unconformity
V. Faulting
VI. Intrusion of the gabbro dyke

A	V (oldest) , III , VI , IV , II , I (youngest)
B	V (oldest) , II , VI , IV , III , I (youngest)
C	VI (oldest) , I , III , V , II , IV (youngest)
D	I (oldest) , II , VI , IV , III , V (youngest)
E	I (oldest) , III , VI , IV , II , V (youngest)
F	VI (oldest) , II , III , IV , I , V (youngest)

Question 70

Which of the following energy product has the highest number of carbons in their hydrocarbon molecule? (ID-GLF-49)

A	Kerosene
B	Tar
C	Gasoline
D	Heating oil
E	Natural gas
F	Bottled gas

Question 70 Explanation:

Note tar is also the most most viscous material listed above.

Question 71

Which of the following characteristic of seismic belts is true? (ID-GLF-52)

A	They usually coincide with plate boundaries.
B	They are defined by the magnetic forces of the Earth.
C	They only occur in ductile regions.
D	They are usually stationary and has been that for since the beginning of the Earth.
E	They runs parallel to the equator of the Earth.

Question 72

The transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase without passing through the intermediate liquid phase is known as... (ID-GLF-98)

A	sublimation.
B	precipitation.
C	infiltration.
D	transpiration.
E	evaporation.

Question 72 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 73

Mushrooms and yeast belong to this Eukarya domain. (ID-GLF-69)

A	Fungi
B	Animalia
C	Plantae
D	Bacteria
E	Protista

Question 74

The physical processes exists today also operated in the past roughly at the same rates and these processes were responsible for the formation of geologic features. This statement is best known as the... (ID-GLF-15)

A	Principle of Uniformitarianism
B	Principle of Original Horizontality
C	Principle of Superposition
D	Theory of Rock Cycle
E	Theory of Plate Tectonics
F	Theory of Geologic Evolution

Question 75

In this section of our atmosphere the short-wavelength solar energy strips nitrogen molecules and oxygen molecules if their electrons and transforms them into positive ions. (ID-GLF-38)

A	Exosphere
B	Troposphere
C	Ionosphere
D	Stratosphere
E	Mesosphere
F	Thermosphere

Question 76

What is the difference between a focus and an epicenter of an earthquake? (ID-GLF-53)

A	The term focus is used when the earthquake occur under water/in oceans while the term epicenter is used when it occurs on land.
B	The focus is the geographic location of the seismometer and the epicenter is the physical position of the earthquake.
C	The focus is the location where a fault slips during an earthquake while epicenter is the point on the surface of the Earth directly above the focus of an earthquake.
D	The epicenter is the location where a fault slips during an earthquake while focus is the point on the surface of the Earth directly above the focus of an earthquake.
E	They are interchangeable terms used geoscientists to describe earthquakes.

Question 77

Which of the following statement is true? (ID-GLF-65)

A	Higher the mountains in collisional or convergent orogen, the deeper the crustal root.
B	Dykes are formed primarily due to preexisting weak planes of the country rock.
C	Plate tectonic movement is mostly driven by the energy obtained through the rotation of the Earth. Hint: This is what some scientists thought long time ago. This has been proven to be incorrect.
D	Higher the depth of a river, larger the volume of sediment deposition and accumulation on the river bed.
E	Higher the friction between a glacier and the ground, faster the migration of the glacier.

Question 78

What is the most fundamental factor that determine the shape of a canyon or valley? (ID-GLF-59)

A	Its elevation from the sea level.
B	Resistance of its walls to erosion slumping.
C	Sediment load of the river/stream.
D	Flow rate of the water (velocity) and the volume of water.

Question 79

Structural geologists measure deformation on outcrops as... (ID-GLF-44)

A	strain.
B	stress.
C	pressures.
D	foliations. Hint: This is true, but this is an observation and not a measurement.
E	lineation. Hint: This is true, but this is an observation and not a measurement.

Question 80

What is the most common cause of earthquakes? (ID-GLF-110)

A	Volcanic eruptions
B	Crustal fault slips
C	Sudden changes in mineral structures
D	Human interference such as construction and nuclear detonations
E	Magma migration

Question 80 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 81

Folding usually occur under what condition? Choose the best answer. (ID-GLF-46)

A	At extensional settings
B	Brittle deformation
C	Ductile deformation
D	Low pressure and high temperature
E	High pressure and low temperature

Question 82

Which of the following sedimentary rocks would it be easiest to determine the type of rocks from which the sediment was derived? (ID-GLF-78)

A	Conglomerate
B	Mudstone
C	Sandstone
D	Siltstone

Question 83

The following image of a large outcrop can be best described as... (ID-GLF-107)
Please pay attention to the circled (green) area of the image.

A	deformation caused by extensional tectonics.
B	deformation that resulted in folding.
C	deformation that resulted in faulting.
D	structural feature originated primarily due to an igneous event.

Question 84

How do we measure stress experienced by geologic materials in nature? (ID-GLF-112)

A	We measure stress using specialized equipment that keep track of movement of geologic masses.
B	We measure stress using changes in pressure and temperature observed within geologic materials over a period.
C	We cannot directly measure stress, but we can infer stress using strain preserved as deformations in minerals and rocks.
D	None of the answers are correct.
E	We measure stress based on detection of earthquakes and their magnitudes with respect to location.

Question 84 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.
Note: Most than one answer is correct. But on multiple choice exams, you should choose the MOST suitable answer. Consider this question as a good example for your future university exams.

Question 85

What is the average frequency of earthquakes? (ID-GLF-109)

A	Monthly
B	Daily
C	Weekly
D	Yearly

Question 85 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 86

What is closure temperature? (ID-GLF-23)

A	The temperature below which magma no longer have the ability to erupt out of the volcano.
B	The temperature above which crystals are first formed.
C	The temperature below which crystals are first formed.
D	The temperature above which the water is neither a gas nor a liquid.
E	The temperature below which isotopes are no longer free to move.

Question 87

What is an isobar? (ID-GLF-40)

A	It is a line on a map used to separate different air pressures.
B	It is an imaginary line that separates the four major layers of atmosphere.
C	It is a graphical representation of change in temperature with depth in the lithosphere.
D	It is a representation of pressure - temperature boundaries which specific minerals may form out of a magma.
E	It is a bar where ice cold drinks are served only for cool geoscientists.

Question 88

What is 3G on the following diagram? (ID-GLF-39)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Devonian
B	Eocene
C	Cretaceous
D	Cenozoic
E	Jurassic
F	Permian

Question 89

According to P-wave and S-wave arrival time equations, the difference between P-wave arrival and S-wave arrival time increases with the... (ID-GLF-116)

A	increase in travel distance.
B	increase in density.
C	decrease in density of the medium.
D	increase in density of the medium.

Question 89 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.
Note: Any changes in density of the medium affect both P and S waves.

Question 90

You are standing on this feature if the topographic contours on either side of you are decreasing. (ID-GLF-80)

A	Reverse fault line
B	Ridge or hill top
C	Valley or topographic depression
D	Normal fault line

Question 91

Which of the following is the main force in driving plate tectonics? (ID-GLF-13)

A	ridge push
B	suction force
C	trench roll back
D	slab pull

Question 92

In Geology, the term orogenesis refers to which of the following? (ID-GLF-99)

A	Study of the origin of Earth and its evolution.
B	Process of mountain building.
C	Study of the origins of rocks and minerals.
D	Process of magma generation and solidification.
E	Process of biological and geological evolution of life and Earth.

Question 92 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 93

A rock that has undergone deformation may...(choose all the correct answers) (ID-GLF-06)

A	retains the primary igneous structures.
B	most likely maintain the original mineral composition
C	change its location
D	change its shape by shortening
E	change its orientation

Question 94

About 99% of the air in our atmosphere lies below this altitude. (ID-GLF-33)

A	About 30 km
B	About 10 km
C	About 5 km
D	About 100 km
E	About 1 km

Question 94 Explanation:

The answers are intentionally spread apart in altitude value. This is because you do not have to know the exact altitude, but you should have a rough idea.

Question 95

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

A	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
B	The creatonic platform that forms the modern day Canada, USA and Mexico.
C	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.
D	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
E	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.

Question 96

Deep focus earthquakes are most commonly associated with ____. (ID-GLF-02)

A	mid-ocean ridges
B	subduction zones
C	hot spots
D	transform zones

Question 97

You have been hired as a Geotechnical Specialist, a Geologist or a Geological Engineer by the City of Calgary. You have been assigned to find out why a road surface crumbles as a result of "popping-up" during wet Winter/Spring and subsiding during warm hot summers. What is the most likely fundamental conclusion you would submit to the City of Calgary? Note: This is a real world problem happening here in Dhalhouise, Calgary right now. (ID-GLF-91)

A	The groundwater must be flowing at a faster rate during wet spring and summer than during winter causing subsurface erosion.
B	There must be a very large cone of depression directly under the road surface in question causing surface to subside during warm and dry seasons.
C	Pore pressures that holds the grains apart fluctuates causing subsidence during warm summers and uplift during wet winters and springs.
D	Weight of the materials used to construct the road surface is effecting the groundwater pressures in the subsurface.

Question 97 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 98

Which of the following statement is true? (ID-GLF-75)

A	Permeability refers to the fraction of open space within rocks.
B	Oil window is smaller that that of natural gas window.
C	Highly permeable rocks make very good petroleum seals/traps. Hint: Seal or trap rock/layers must be non-permeable to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping.
D	Increasing depth often increase in hydrocarbon production. Hint: Yes, when you are within an oil/gas windows. But just because you increase in depth, doesn't mean it will favor formation of oil/gas.
E	Kerogen forms at the Earth's surface.

Question 99

Generally, which of the following seismic wave arrive at the seismic station first? Choose the best answer. (ID-GLF-56)

A	Body wave
B	Surface wave
C	P-wave
D	S-wave
E	Shock wave

Question 100

Which earthquake intensity scale takes into account the amount of slip that has occurred along the fault plane? (ID-GLF-01)

A	Richter scale
B	Seismic-moment magnitude scale
C	Wadati-Benioff scale
D	Mercalli scale

Question 101

Where does the mesopause boundary located? (ID-GLF-37)

A	Between Mesosphere and Stratosphere.
B	Between Mesosphere and Troposphere.
C	Between Mesosphere and Thermosphere.
D	Around the 10 km altitude.
E	Around the 45 km altitude.

Question 102

Radiometic age dating techniques using the Ab – Xy system (not areal system) in the mineral quarky (not a real mineral) in the diorite dyke found that the mineral started off with some amount of parent isotopes, and today only 40 parent isotopes remain. The half life for the Ab – Xy system is 125 million years and the age of the diorite dyke is 250 million years. What is the initial parent isotopes count in the mineral? (ID-GLF-82)

A	160 parent isotopes
B	250 parent isotopes
C	125 parent isotopes
D	40 parent isotopes
E	100 parent isotopes

Question 102 Explanation:

A = A* (1/2)^(t/h) where A=final amount, A*=initial amount, t= time and h=half-life. You would have to isolate A* for the above answer.

Question 103

Normal faults are more more abundant in which of the following Geologic setting? (ID-GLF-102)

A	Extensional rifting environments
B	Mid-oceanic ridge environments
C	Strike-slip environments
D	Collisional orogenesis environments

Question 103 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 104

Folds with limbs dipping away from the hinge is known as __I__ and folds with dips dipping towards the hinge is known as __II__. (ID-GLF-47)

A	I. arcs II. basins
B	I. synclines II. anticlines
C	I. anticlines II. synclines
D	I basins II. arcs

Question 105

What is the best estimate of the age of Earth according to current scientific observations and evidence? (ID-GLF-25)

A	3.87 Ga
B	3.92 Ga
C	4.03 Ga
D	4.54 Ga
E	3.55 Ga

Question 106

Groundwater extraction result in formation of cones of depression. Which of the following scenario would create the largest (deepest and most laterally extensive) depression cones? (ID-GLF-90)

A	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a long period of time.
B	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a small period of time.
C	Injection/addition of water into the ground due to heavy rainfall.
D	Higher rate of leaking groundwater into rivers and lakes due to higher formation pressures.

Question 106 Explanation:

Groundwater extraction at a higher rate/volume will reduce the window needed to "bounce back" of cone of depression by infilling the pore space.
Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 107

Which of the following is used for representing relationships between organisms and their ancestors? (ID-GLF-70)

A	ancestral diagram
B	phylogenetic tree
C	historical tree
D	taxonomy diagram
E	hierarchical diagram

Question 108

The point within the Earth where an earthquake originates is called the... (ID-GLF-09)

A	focus
B	slip point
C	trigger point
D	epicenter

Question 109

Which of the following will not result in favorable environment for meandering streams? (ID-GLF-96)

A	Soft substrate with high degree of erosion
B	Very low stream gradient
C	High sediment carrying capacity
D	Narrow flood plains

Question 109 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 110

Which of the following type of aquifer has the highest possibility for contamination and contaminant transport? (ID-GLF-87)

A	Aquifers with very low porosity and permeability.
B	Unconfined aquifers with very high permeability.
C	Confined aquifers with very high permeability.
D	Aquifers with very high porosity, but very low permeability.

Question 110 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 111

Typically orogenesis would create which of the following rock type? (ID-GLF-100)

A	Sedimentary rocks due to regional subduction.
B	Sedimentary rocks due to regional heating.
C	Igneous rocks due to uplift.
D	Metamorphic rocks due to contact metamorphism.

Question 111 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 112

What is adiabatic cooling or adiabatic heating? (ID-GLF-34)

A	Cooling or heating of air or matter through compression solidification or decompression melting.
B	Cooling or heating of air or matter without the addition or subtraction of atoms or molecules.
C	Cooling or heating of air or matter without increasing or decreasing of pressure.
D	Cooling or heating of air or matter without the addition or subtraction of thermal energy.
E	Cooling or heating of air or matter without decreasing or increasing of temperature.
F	Cooling or heating of air or matter through geologic uplift.

Question 113

What is 2A on the following diagram? (ID-GLF-24)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

A	Pennsylvanian
B	Mesozoic
C	Cenozoic
D	Phanerozoic
E	Proterozoic

Question 114

Which of the following is an example of a orogenic mountain belt that has formed from the collision of two large continents? (ID-GLF-12)

A	Himalayas
B	Hawaiian Islands
C	Canadian Rockies
D	Basin and Range

Question 115

Continental rifts are mostly associated with which of the following? (ID-GLF-120)

A	Thrust faults
B	Reverse faults
C	Normal faults
D	Strike-slip faults
E	Abnormal faults

Question 115 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 116

Deformation of rocks exclusively through distortion (and distortion only) will most likely result in which of the following features? (ID-GLF-108)

A	Upside down beds (oldest on top)
B	Faults
C	Folds
D	Fractures

Question 116 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 117

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

A	Change in pressure and temperature in magma underground which eventually leads to fractional crystallization.
B	Movement of tectonic plates that result in formation of new crust due to upwelling of magma.
C	Change in stress fields during metamorphism creating a differential stress which result in lineation of minerals.
D	Forces and events leading to a large structural deformation of the Earth's lithosphere resulting mountain building.
E	Collision of two or more air masses which result in formation of clouds, wind and rain.

Question 118

What is a river gradient? (ID-GLF-94)

A	It measures the speed at which the river flows.
B	It measures the elevation change over the distance of flow.
C	It measures the change in capacity of sediment load over a distance.
D	It measures the rate at which the transport system deposit its load over a distance.
E	It measures the largest clast/sediment size a stream/river can transport.

Question 118 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 119

The process whereby which early formed minerals in magma physically separate from the magma is called... (ID-GLF-14)

A	partial crystallization
B	fractional crystallization
C	fractional melting
D	decompression crystallization

Question 120

The sorted sediments deposited by a stream is known as/form... (ID-GLF-58)

A	braided plane.
B	alluvium.
C	alluvium fan.
D	graded deposits.
E	stream terraces.

Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect. Get Results

There are 120 questions to complete.

←

List

→

Return

Shaded items are complete.

1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30
31	32	33	34	35
36	37	38	39	40
41	42	43	44	45
46	47	48	49	50
51	52	53	54	55
56	57	58	59	60
61	62	63	64	65
66	67	68	69	70
71	72	73	74	75
76	77	78	79	80
81	82	83	84	85
86	87	88	89	90
91	92	93	94	95
96	97	98	99	100
101	102	103	104	105
106	107	108	109	110
111	112	113	114	115
116	117	118	119	120
End

Return

Credits: Based on the excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Gerald Osborn during Fall 2010 and textbook ISBN-978-0-393-93750-3. This version has been updated on between September and December 2015 using excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Glenn Dolphin, Alex Dutchak and Dr. Brandon Karchewski during Fall 2015.
FAQ | Report an Error

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

Important!

↑ Some of these are already in the exam type questions in the quiz(above) ↑
Answers to these will NOT be posted. These are based on 2010 lecture notes!

-Know the definitions and features of Composite Volcanos (CV) and Shield volcanos (SV).
-Types of crystallization processes
-Geologic zones; subduction, mid ocean, etc and their features
-Difference between nonconformity and disconformity.
-Difference between stress and strain.
-Differences between tensile stress, compressional stress and shear stress
-Understanding geologic events based on relative deposition.
-Earthquakes and their nature of intensity.
-Types of waves; S-,P-,L- and R- waves.
-Earth’s components and their variation in composition.
-Be able to interpret features on a given map or cross-section.
-Mohorovic discontinuity and it’s importance to geologic studies.
-Know, asymmetrical syncline/anticline, symmetrical syncline/anticline.
-General history of geology as a study subject.
-Concept; slab pull, ridge push and hypothesis on why these occur.
-You should memorize this time scale. Yes, this will most likely appear on the final, but also very useful for the future of your geologic carrier. Most geologists and geophysicsts remember the Geologic Time Scale with respect to important events took place in the history.

Sanuja Senanayake

Geology 201 Final Exam-University of Calgary

Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

Print/Share:

Standing on the shoulders of giants