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Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

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

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

Question 2

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

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

Question 3

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

A	We cannot directly measure stress, but we can infer stress using strain preserved as deformations in minerals and rocks.
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 measure stress based on detection of earthquakes and their magnitudes with respect to location.
E	None of the answers are correct.

Question 3 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 4

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

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

Question 5

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

Question 6

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

Question 6 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 7

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

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

Question 7 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 8

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

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

Question 8 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 9

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

A	Magnesium
B	Calcium
C	Sodium
D	Potassium
E	Chloride

Question 10

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

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

Question 10 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

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

Question 14

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

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

Question 14 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 15

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

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

Question 15 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 16

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

Question 17

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	Its elevation from the sea level.
D	Sediment load of the river/stream.

Question 18

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

A	Higher the depth of a river, larger the volume of sediment deposition and accumulation on the river bed.
B	Dykes are formed primarily due to preexisting weak planes of the country rock.
C	Higher the friction between a glacier and the ground, faster the migration of the glacier.
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 mountains in collisional or convergent orogen, the deeper the crustal root.

Question 19

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

A	Isostasy
B	Mesopause
C	Orogeny
D	Accretion
E	Induced equilibrium

Question 20

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

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

Question 20 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 21

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

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

Question 22

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

A	Oxbow lakes are formed as a result of downcutting of the river into soft sediments hence they are unusually deep areas of a river.
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	Melting of glaciers due to friction between the ground and itself forms oxbow lakes at the base of the glacier.

Question 23

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

A	strain
B	stress
C	deformation
D	shear

Question 24

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

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

Question 25

What is permineralization? (ID-GLF-67)

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

Question 26

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

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

Question 26 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 27

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	Jurassic
C	Ordovician
D	Triassic
E	Devonian

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

Question 28 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 29

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

A	carbon dioxide
B	ammonia
C	water
D	nitrogen
E	methane

Question 30

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

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

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

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

Question 33

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 only occur in softer materials such as sediments and faults occur in hard 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 33 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 34

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	The groundwater must be flowing at a faster rate during wet spring and summer than during winter causing subsurface erosion.
D	Pore pressures that holds the grains apart fluctuates causing subsidence during warm summers and uplift during wet winters and springs.

Question 34 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 35

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

Question 35 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 36

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

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

Question 36 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 37

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 37 Explanation:

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

Question 38

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

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

Question 39

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

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

Question 40

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

Question 40 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 41

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

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

Question 41 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 42

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

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

Question 43

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

Question 43 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 44

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	Pennsylvanian
B	Carboniferous
C	Permian
D	Devonian
E	Cretaceous
F	Jurassic

Question 45

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

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

Question 46

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

Question 47

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

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

Question 48

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	stratosphere
B	mesosphere
C	troposphere
D	exosphere
E	thermosphere
F	ionosphere

Question 49

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	Cenozoic
C	Phanerozoic
D	Proterozoic
E	Mesozoic

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

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	exosphere
B	thermosphere
C	stratosphere
D	mesosphere
E	troposphere

Question 52

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

Question 53

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

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

Question 54

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 where geoscientists predicted to have an earthquake in near future.
D	An area that is damaged by a recent earthquake.
E	An area that has been known to have earthquakes in high frequency in the past.

Question 55

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

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

Question 56

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

A	Weekly
B	Daily
C	Monthly
D	Yearly

Question 56 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 57

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

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

Question 57 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 58

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	Cenozoic
C	Pennsylvanian
D	Mesozoic
E	Proterozoic

Question 59

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

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

Question 60

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	Induced stability
C	Orogeny
D	Isostasy

Question 60 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 61

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

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

Question 62

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

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

Question 62 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 63

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

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

Question 64

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 65

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

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

Question 66

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

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

Question 66 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 67

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

Question 68

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

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

Question 68 Explanation:

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

Question 69

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	A group of fossil species found in a specific sequence of sedimentary rock.
D	None of the answers are correct.
E	A set of fossils belongs to the same family of organisms.

Question 70

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

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

Question 70 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 71

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

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

Question 72

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	Gasoline
D	Heating oil
E	Tar
F	Bottled gas

Question 72 Explanation:

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

Question 73

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

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

Question 74

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

Question 75

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

A	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.
B	A continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
C	None of the answers are correct.
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 76

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	Seismic-moment magnitude scale
C	Richter scale
D	Wadati-Benioff scale

Question 77

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

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

Question 77 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 78

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	Principle of Uniformitarianism
D	Theory of Rock Cycle
E	Principle of Original Horizontality
F	Theory of Geologic Evolution

Question 79

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	125 Ma
C	250 Ma
D	375 Ma
E	100 Ma

Question 79 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 80

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

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

Question 81

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	Jurassic
B	Permian
C	Cenozoic
D	Cretaceous
E	Eocene
F	Devonian

Question 82

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 regional scale.
C	lowering of the groundwater table at the global scale.
D	raising of the groundwater table at the global scale.
E	lowering of the groundwater table at the regional scale.

Question 82 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 83

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

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

Question 84

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

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

Question 84 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 85

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	Troposphere
C	Stratosphere
D	Thermosphere
E	Ionosphere
F	Exosphere

Question 86

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 86 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 87

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

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

Question 88

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

Question 89

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

Question 90

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 91

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	Sandstone
D	Mudstone

Question 92

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

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

Question 93

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

A	slip point
B	focus
C	trigger point
D	epicenter

Question 94

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

Question 95

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

A	strombolian
B	surtseyan
C	vulcanian
D	plinean
E	phreatic

Question 96

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 30 to 40 km
C	About 50 to 70 km
D	About 0 to 5 km
E	About 10 to 15 km

Question 97

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

A	It measures the rate at which the transport system deposit its load.
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 volume of sediments transported by a stream/river system.
E	It measure the flow rate of sediments at a fixed given location.

Question 97 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 98

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	High sediment carrying capacity
D	Narrow flood plains

Question 98 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 99

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

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

Question 100

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	Devonian
B	Cambrian
C	Silurian
D	Cretaceous
E	Paleogene

Question 101

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

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

Question 101 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 102

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

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

Question 102 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 103

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 104

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

A	It measures the speed at which the river flows.
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 change in capacity of sediment load over a distance.
E	It measures the largest clast/sediment size a stream/river can transport.

Question 104 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 105

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

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

Question 106

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

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

Question 107

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

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

Question 108

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

Question 108 Explanation:

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

Question 109

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

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

Question 109 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 110

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 110 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 111

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	Basin and Range
C	Hawaiian Islands
D	Himalayas

Question 112

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

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

Question 113

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

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

Question 114

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

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

Question 115

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

Question 116

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

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

Question 117

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 117 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 118

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

Question 118 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 119

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

A	Bacteria
B	Plantae
C	Animalia
D	Protista
E	Fungi

Question 120

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

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

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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

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Standing on the shoulders of giants