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Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

A	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
B	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.
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	None of the answers are correct.

Question 2

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

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

Question 3

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

Question 3 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 4

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	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	Melting of glaciers due to friction between the ground and itself forms oxbow lakes at the base of the glacier.
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 5

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	Paleogene
C	Devonian
D	Cambrian
E	Cretaceous

Question 6

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

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

Question 6 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 7

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

A	Magnesium
B	Calcium
C	Potassium
D	Chloride
E	Sodium

Question 8

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

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

Question 8 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 9

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

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

Question 9 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 10

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	375 Ma
C	100 Ma
D	125 Ma
E	250 Ma

Question 10 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 11

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	Cenozoic
B	Devonian
C	Cretaceous
D	Permian
E	Jurassic
F	Eocene

Question 12

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

A	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.
B	The creatonic platform that forms the modern day Canada, USA and Mexico.
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	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

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

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

Question 15 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 16

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

Question 17

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

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

Question 18

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	Collision of two or more air masses which result in formation of clouds, wind and rain.
E	Forces and events leading to a large structural deformation of the Earth's lithosphere resulting mountain building.

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

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

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

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

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

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

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	Mesopause
B	Orogeny
C	Isostasy
D	Accretion
E	Induced equilibrium

Question 26

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

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

Question 27

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 a bar where ice cold drinks are served only for cool geoscientists.
D	It is an imaginary line that separates the four major layers of atmosphere.
E	It is a graphical representation of change in temperature with depth in the lithosphere.

Question 28

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	symmetrical anticline
C	symmetrical syncline
D	asymmetrical anticline

Question 29

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

A	focus
B	trigger point
C	epicenter
D	slip point

Question 30

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

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

Question 31

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	precipitation . rain
C	weather seasons , plate tectonics
D	climate , weather
E	temperature . heat

Question 32

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	Basin and Range
B	Himalayas
C	Canadian Rockies
D	Hawaiian Islands

Question 33

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

A	L-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	R-waves disappeared at the mantle-outer core boundary

Question 34

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

A	Monthly
B	Daily
C	Yearly
D	Weekly

Question 34 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 35

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	Proterozoic
B	Pennsylvanian
C	Mesozoic
D	Cenozoic
E	Phanerozoic

Question 36

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	be refracted
E	bent towards the normal

Question 37

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

Question 37 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 38

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

Question 39

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

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

Question 40

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

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

Question 40 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 41

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

Question 41 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 42

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

A	Animalia
B	Fungi
C	Bacteria
D	Plantae
E	Protista

Question 43

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

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

Question 44

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	infiltration.
D	evaporation.
E	sublimation.

Question 44 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 45

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

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

Question 45 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 46

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

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

Question 46 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 47

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

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

Question 48

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 48 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 49

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 50

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

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

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 53

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

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

Question 53 Explanation:

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

Question 54

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

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

Question 54 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 55

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

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

Question 56

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

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

Question 56 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 57

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

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

Question 58

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

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

Question 59

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

Question 59 Explanation:

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

Question 60

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 depth of a river, larger the volume of sediment deposition and accumulation on the river bed.
C	Dykes are formed primarily due to preexisting weak planes of the country rock.
D	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.
E	Higher the friction between a glacier and the ground, faster the migration of the glacier.

Question 61

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

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

Question 61 Explanation:

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

Question 62

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

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

Question 62 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 63

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

A	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.
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	Kerogen forms at the Earth's surface.
E	Oil window is smaller that that of natural gas window.

Question 64

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	vulcanian
C	plinean
D	surtseyan
E	strombolian

Question 65

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 65 Explanation:

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

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

Question 67

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

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

Question 67 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 68

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

Question 69

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 P-waves that intersects the land surface.
C	Causes ground to ripple up and down like water waves in a lake.
D	They are S-waves that intersects the land surface.
E	Slower than S-waves but faster than Love waves.

Question 69 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 70

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	Ordovician
B	Pennsylvanian
C	Devonian
D	Triassic
E	Jurassic

Question 71

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

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

Question 72

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

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

Question 73

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

Question 74

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 travel faster in high density mediums.
D	Seismic waves that enters a faster medium from a slower medium will undergo refraction towards the normal.
E	Seismic waves were first discovered by Andrija Mohorovicic.

Question 75

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

Question 75 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 76

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

Question 77

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

Question 77 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 78

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

Question 78 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 79

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	Thermosphere
B	Stratosphere
C	Troposphere
D	Ionosphere
E	Exosphere
F	Mesosphere

Question 80

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

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

Question 80 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 81

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	thermosphere
C	stratosphere
D	troposphere
E	exosphere

Question 82

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

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

Question 83

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 30 km
E	About 5 km

Question 83 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 84

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

A	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
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	None of the answers are correct.
E	The ocean that was once covered the Alberta region, which helped the formation of oil/gas deposits.

Question 85

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

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

Question 85 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 86

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 2
D	Factor of 3
E	Factor of 1

Question 87

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

Question 88

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

Question 88 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 89

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 90

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

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

Question 90 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 91

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

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

Question 92

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

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

Question 92 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 93

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

Question 94

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

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

Question 95

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 96

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

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

Question 97

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

A	nitrogen
B	ammonia
C	carbon dioxide
D	methane
E	water

Question 98

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	Jurassic
B	Permian
C	Pennsylvanian
D	Cretaceous
E	Devonian
F	Carboniferous

Question 99

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

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

Question 99 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 100

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

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

Question 101

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	exosphere
C	thermosphere
D	stratosphere
E	troposphere
F	ionosphere

Question 102

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

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

Question 102 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 103

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

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

Question 104

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	Valley or topographic depression
C	Normal fault line
D	Reverse fault line

Question 105

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

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

Question 105 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 106

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	Friction heat produced at plate margins
D	Earth's crust
E	Earth's mantle

Question 107

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

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

Question 108

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	Cenozoic
B	Mesozoic
C	Phanerozoic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Proterozoic

Question 109

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

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

Question 110

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

A	deformation
B	stress
C	strain
D	shear

Question 111

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

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

Question 111 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 112

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	Equilibrium
B	Isostasy
C	Orogeny
D	Induced stability

Question 112 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 113

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

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

Question 114

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

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

Question 115

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

Question 115 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 116

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

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

Question 116 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 117

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

Question 118

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	Sandstone
B	Conglomerate
C	Mudstone
D	Siltstone

Question 119

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

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

Question 119 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 120

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

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

Question 120 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

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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