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

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

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

Question 2

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

A	Sodium
B	Magnesium
C	Potassium
D	Chloride
E	Calcium

Question 3

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

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

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

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

A	It occurs when ground shake due to P-wave vibrates sediments hard enough resulting solids behaving like liquids.
B	It occurs due to nuclear radiation caused by decomposition of radioactive elements within sediments and minerals.
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 as the heat from magma melts the wall rock (country rock) resulting melting of the surrounding.

Question 7

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

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

Question 7 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 8

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	Siltstone
C	Mudstone
D	Sandstone

Question 9

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	Proterozoic
B	Phanerozoic
C	Cenozoic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Mesozoic

Question 10

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

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

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

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

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

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

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

Question 14 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 15

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

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

Question 15 Explanation:

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

Question 16

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	Canadian Rockies
B	Hawaiian Islands
C	Himalayas
D	Basin and Range

Question 17

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

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

Question 18

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

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

Question 18 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 19

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

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

Question 19 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 20

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

A	water
B	methane
C	carbon dioxide
D	nitrogen
E	ammonia

Question 21

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

A	It occurs when the last member of a given kingdom 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 family dies without producing any offspring.

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

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

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

Question 25

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

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

Question 26

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	Jurassic
B	Triassic
C	Devonian
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Ordovician

Question 27

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 0 to 5 km
C	About 30 to 40 km
D	About 90 to 100 km
E	About 10 to 15 km

Question 28

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

Question 28 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 29

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

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

Question 29 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 30

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

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

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

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

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

Question 32 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 33

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

Question 34

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

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

Question 35

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

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

Question 36

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

Question 36 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 37

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

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

Question 38

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

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

Question 38 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 39

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

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

Question 39 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 40

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

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

Question 41

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

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

Question 41 Explanation:

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

Question 42

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	Flow rate of the water (velocity) and the volume of water.
D	Sediment load of the river/stream.

Question 43

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

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

Question 44

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

Question 45

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

Question 45 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 46

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

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

Question 46 Explanation:

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

Question 47

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

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

Question 47 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 48

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

A	The vadose zone must be extremely large (deep) in the wetland regions.
B	The water table must be relatively high 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 48 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 49

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	asymmetrical syncline
B	asymmetrical anticline
C	symmetrical anticline
D	symmetrical syncline

Question 50

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

A	Daily
B	Yearly
C	Weekly
D	Monthly

Question 50 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

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

Question 52 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 53

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

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

Question 54

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

Question 55

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	Carboniferous
B	Permian
C	Jurassic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Cretaceous
F	Devonian

Question 56

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

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

Question 57

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	Induced stability
B	Orogeny
C	Equilibrium
D	Isostasy

Question 57 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 58

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

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

Question 59

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

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

Question 59 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 60

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

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

Question 60 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 61

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

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

Question 61 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 62

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

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

Question 63

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

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

Question 64

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

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

Question 65

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

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

Question 65 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 66

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

Question 67

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

Question 67 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 68

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

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

Question 69

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

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

Question 70

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

A	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
B	The creatonic platform that forms the modern day Canada, USA and Mexico.
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	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.

Question 71

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

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

Question 72

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

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

Question 72 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 73

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	Normal fault line
D	Valley or topographic depression

Question 74

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

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

Question 75

What is permineralization? (ID-GLF-67)

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

Question 76

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

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

Question 77

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	Proterozoic
C	Phanerozoic
D	Cenozoic
E	Mesozoic

Question 78

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

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

Question 79

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 80

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

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

Question 80 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 81

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

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

Question 82

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

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

Question 83

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

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

Question 84

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	troposphere
B	thermosphere
C	mesosphere
D	stratosphere
E	exosphere
F	ionosphere

Question 85

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

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

Question 85 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 86

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

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

Question 87

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

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

Question 88

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	vulcanian
B	surtseyan
C	plinean
D	phreatic
E	strombolian

Question 89

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

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

Question 89 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 90

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

Question 90 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 91

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

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

Question 91 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 92

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

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

Question 92 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 93

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

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

Question 93 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 94

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

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

Question 94 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 95

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

A	epicenter
B	trigger point
C	focus
D	slip point

Question 96

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	Higher the friction between a glacier and the ground, faster the migration of the glacier.
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	Dykes are formed primarily due to preexisting weak planes of the country rock.

Question 97

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	Silurian
B	Cretaceous
C	Cambrian
D	Paleogene
E	Devonian

Question 98

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	split into several rays
C	disintegrate
D	be refracted
E	bent towards the normal

Question 99

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

Question 99 Explanation:

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

Question 100

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

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

Question 101

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

A	deformation
B	stress
C	shear
D	strain

Question 102

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

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

Question 102 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 103

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

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

Question 103 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 104

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 104 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 105

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

Question 106

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	Ionosphere
C	Thermosphere
D	Mesosphere
E	Stratosphere
F	Troposphere

Question 107

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 107 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 108

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

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

Question 109

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

Question 110

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

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

Question 110 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 111

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 the water is neither a gas nor a liquid.
C	The temperature above which crystals are first formed.
D	The temperature below which isotopes are no longer free to move.
E	The temperature below which crystals are first formed.

Question 112

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

A	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.
B	The focus is the geographic location of the seismometer and the epicenter is the physical position of the earthquake.
C	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.
D	The term focus is used when the earthquake occur under water/in oceans while the term epicenter is used when it occurs on land.
E	They are interchangeable terms used geoscientists to describe earthquakes.

Question 113

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

A	Fungi
B	Animalia
C	Protista
D	Plantae
E	Bacteria

Question 114

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

Question 114 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 115

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

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

Question 115 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 116

____ 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	Induced equilibrium
D	Orogeny
E	Isostasy

Question 117

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

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

Question 118

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	Cretaceous
B	Jurassic
C	Permian
D	Devonian
E	Cenozoic
F	Eocene

Question 119

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 20,000
C	Factor of 1
D	Factor of 2
E	Factor of 3

Question 120

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

A	Oil window is smaller that that of natural gas window.
B	Highly permeable rocks make very good petroleum seals/traps. Hint: Seal or trap rock/layers must be non-permeable to prevent hydrocarbons from escaping.
C	Permeability refers to the fraction of open space within rocks.
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.

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