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Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

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

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

Question 2

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 rate at which the transport system deposit its load over a distance.
C	It measures the elevation change over the distance of flow.
D	It measures the speed at which the river flows.
E	It measures the change in capacity of sediment load over a distance.

Question 2 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 3

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

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

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

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	Phanerozoic
B	Mesozoic
C	Proterozoic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Cenozoic

Question 7

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	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a long period of time.
D	Higher rate of leaking groundwater into rivers and lakes due to higher formation pressures.

Question 7 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 8

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 graphical representation of change in temperature with depth in the lithosphere.
E	It is a bar where ice cold drinks are served only for cool geoscientists.

Question 9

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

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

Question 10

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	Accumulation of microscopic shells and file flakes of clay at the ocean floor.
C	Sudden decrease in energy of a river system result in accumulation of the bedloard.
D	Erosion of high standing sedimentary structures and subsequent deposition of the materials downstream.
E	Deposition of organic matter on terrestrial sediments due to decay of plants and organisms.

Question 11

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	Narrow flood plains
C	High sediment carrying capacity
D	Very low stream gradient

Question 11 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 12

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

Question 13

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

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

Question 13 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 14

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

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

Question 15

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	Process of biological and geological evolution of life and Earth.
D	Process of magma generation and solidification.
E	Study of the origins of rocks and minerals.

Question 15 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 16

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

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

Question 16 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 17

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

A	Weekly
B	Daily
C	Yearly
D	Monthly

Question 17 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 18

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

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

Question 18 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 19

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	ammonia
D	nitrogen
E	carbon dioxide

Question 20

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 basins II. arcs
D	I. synclines II. anticlines

Question 21

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

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

Question 22

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	mesosphere
B	stratosphere
C	exosphere
D	troposphere
E	thermosphere

Question 23

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

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

Question 23 Explanation:

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

Question 24

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	Muddy deposits closer to the mouth and sandy deposits distally at the edge.
C	Very thick sandy deposits distally 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 24 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 25

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 syncline
B	asymmetrical anticline
C	asymmetrical syncline
D	symmetrical anticline

Question 26

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

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

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

Question 28 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 29

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

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

Question 29 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 30

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

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

Question 31

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	Hawaiian Islands
B	Basin and Range
C	Canadian Rockies
D	Himalayas

Question 32

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

A	It occur when the pore water pressure increased enough to push sediment grains apart from each other.
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 occurs due to nuclear radiation caused by decomposition of radioactive elements within sediments and minerals.
E	It occurs as the heat from magma melts the wall rock (country rock) resulting melting of the surrounding.

Question 33

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

A	Bacteria
B	Animalia
C	Plantae
D	Fungi
E	Protista

Question 34

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

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

Question 35

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

Question 35 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 36

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

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

Question 36 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 37

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

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

Question 37 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 38

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

Question 38 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 39

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 39 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 40

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

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

Question 41

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

Question 42

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

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

Question 43

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	Devonian
B	Permian
C	Carboniferous
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Cretaceous
F	Jurassic

Question 44

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

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

Question 45

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

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

Question 46

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

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

Question 47

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

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

Question 47 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 48

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

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

Question 48 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 49

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

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

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

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

Question 52

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

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

Question 52 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 53

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

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

Question 54

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

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

Question 55

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

A	A group of fossils native to a specific region.
B	A set of fossils that can be arranged in chronological order.
C	None of the answers are correct.
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 56

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

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

Question 57

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	Siltstone
B	Sandstone
C	Mudstone
D	Conglomerate

Question 58

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

Question 59

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

A	methane
B	nitrogen
C	ammonia
D	water
E	carbon dioxide

Question 60

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

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

Question 60 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 61

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

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

Question 62

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	Pore pressures that holds the grains apart fluctuates causing subsidence during warm summers and uplift during wet winters and springs.
C	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.
D	Weight of the materials used to construct the road surface is effecting the groundwater pressures in the subsurface.

Question 62 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 63

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

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

Question 63 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 64

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

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

Question 65

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	reversing of the flow direction due to change in the direction of slope due to tectonic of other events.
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	headward erosion by one stream causes the stream to intersect another stream.

Question 66

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	Paleogene
B	Devonian
C	Cretaceous
D	Cambrian
E	Silurian

Question 67

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	mesosphere
B	stratosphere
C	thermosphere
D	troposphere
E	exosphere
F	ionosphere

Question 68

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

Question 69

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

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

Question 70

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

Question 70 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 71

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

Question 72

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

Question 73

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

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

Question 74

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

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

Question 74 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 75

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

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

Question 76

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

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

Question 76 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 77

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

Question 78

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

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

Question 79

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

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

Question 79 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 80

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

Question 80 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 81

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	Mesosphere
B	Stratosphere
C	Troposphere
D	Ionosphere
E	Exosphere
F	Thermosphere

Question 82

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

A	Mesopause
B	Isostasy
C	Induced equilibrium
D	Accretion
E	Orogeny

Question 83

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

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

Question 83 Explanation:

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

Question 84

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

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

Question 84 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 85

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	Pennsylvanian
B	Triassic
C	Ordovician
D	Jurassic
E	Devonian

Question 86

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

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

Question 87

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

A	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.
B	Dykes are formed primarily due to preexisting weak planes of the country rock.
C	Higher the mountains in collisional or convergent orogen, the deeper the crustal root.
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 88

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

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

Question 89

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

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

Question 89 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 90

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

A	shear
B	stress
C	deformation
D	strain

Question 91

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

Question 92

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	Cenozoic
C	Eocene
D	Permian
E	Cretaceous
F	Jurassic

Question 93

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

A	Chloride
B	Calcium
C	Sodium
D	Potassium
E	Magnesium

Question 94

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

A	trigger point
B	slip point
C	epicenter
D	focus

Question 95

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

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

Question 96

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 96 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 97

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

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

Question 97 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 98

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

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

Question 99

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

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

Question 100

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	phreatic
B	surtseyan
C	plinean
D	vulcanian
E	strombolian

Question 101

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	Seismic waves that enters a faster medium from a slower medium will undergo refraction towards the normal.
C	Seismic waves were first discovered by Andrija Mohorovicic.
D	Surface seismic waves are the fastest in terms of travel time.
E	Seismic waves travel faster in high density mediums.

Question 102

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

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

Question 103

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

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

Question 104

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

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

Question 104 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 105

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

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

Question 106

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

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

Question 106 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 107

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

Question 107 Explanation:

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

Question 108

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	Convergence lifting
D	Convective lifting
E	Frontal lifting

Question 109

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	Cenozoic
B	Pennsylvanian
C	Phanerozoic
D	Proterozoic
E	Mesozoic

Question 110

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

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

Question 110 Explanation:

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

Question 111

What is permineralization? (ID-GLF-67)

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

Question 112

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 only occur in softer materials such as sediments and faults occur in hard rocks.
C	Joints are much smaller in scale than faults.
D	Joints are usually associated with igneous processes and faults are usually associated with orogenic processes.
E	Joints are planar metamorphic fabrics while faults are planer surfaces of physical separations within rocks.

Question 112 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 113

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

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

Question 114

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

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

Question 115

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

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

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	Folds
C	Faults
D	Fractures

Question 116 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 117

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	Metamorphic rocks due to contact metamorphism.
D	Sedimentary rocks due to regional heating.

Question 117 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 118

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	Orogeny
B	Induced stability
C	Equilibrium
D	Isostasy

Question 118 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 119

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

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

Question 120

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

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

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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.
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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

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Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

Standing on the shoulders of giants

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Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

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Standing on the shoulders of giants