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Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

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

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

Question 1 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 2

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

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

Question 2 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 3

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

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

Question 3 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 4

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

A	raising of the groundwater table at the global scale.
B	increased availability of groundwater in shallow wells.
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 4 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 5

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

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

Question 5 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 6

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	Permian
B	Cretaceous
C	Cenozoic
D	Devonian
E	Eocene
F	Jurassic

Question 7

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 7 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 8

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

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

Question 8 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 9

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

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

Question 10

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

Question 11

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	infiltration.
C	sublimation.
D	transpiration.
E	precipitation.

Question 11 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 12

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	Process of biological and geological evolution of life and Earth.
E	Study of the origin of Earth and its evolution.

Question 12 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 13

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	Ionosphere
B	Thermosphere
C	Exosphere
D	Mesosphere
E	Troposphere
F	Stratosphere

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

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

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

Question 16

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

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

Question 16 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 17

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

A	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
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 continent in the early Paleozoic Era composed of today’s North America and Greenland.
E	The creatonic platform that forms the modern day Canada, USA and Mexico.

Question 18

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

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

Question 19

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

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

Question 19 Explanation:

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

Question 20

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 syncline
D	Symmetric syncline
E	Asymmetric anticline

Question 21

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

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

Question 22

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

A	shear
B	stress
C	strain
D	deformation

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

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

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

Question 24 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 25

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

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

Question 26

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

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

Question 26 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 27

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

Question 27 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 28

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

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

Question 29

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

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

Question 30

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	headward erosion by one stream causes the stream to intersect another stream.
D	water levels and flow rates are too high for a river bed to maintain its shape result in collapse of valleys or canyons.

Question 31

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

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

Question 32

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

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

Question 33

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

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

Question 34

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

Question 34 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 35

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	surtseyan
B	strombolian
C	vulcanian
D	phreatic
E	plinean

Question 36

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

A	Joints only occur in softer materials such as sediments and faults occur in hard rocks.
B	Joints are fractures that have no offsets, while faults are fractures with offsets.
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 36 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 37

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

Question 38

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

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

Question 39

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

A	slip point
B	epicenter
C	trigger point
D	focus

Question 40

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

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

Question 40 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 41

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	Shock wave
D	S-wave
E	Surface wave

Question 42

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

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

Question 43

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

Question 44

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

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

Question 45

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 46

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

Question 46 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 47

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	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	Very thick sandy deposits distally on the edge of the fan.

Question 47 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 48

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

A	Bacteria
B	Plantae
C	Protista
D	Fungi
E	Animalia

Question 49

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	Cambrian
D	Cretaceous
E	Devonian

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

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

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

Question 51 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 52

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

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

Question 52 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 53

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	Melting of glaciers due to friction between the ground and itself forms oxbow lakes at the base of the glacier.
E	All meandering rivers always from oxbow lakes.

Question 54

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

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

Question 55

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

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

Question 55 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 56

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

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

Question 56 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 57

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	Phanerozoic
B	Mesozoic
C	Pennsylvanian
D	Cenozoic
E	Proterozoic

Question 58

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

A	It occurs when sediments from deep underground which are formed under high pressure were exhumed in a short period of time.
B	It occurs due to nuclear radiation caused by decomposition of radioactive elements within sediments and minerals.
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 occur when the pore water pressure increased enough to push sediment grains apart from each other.

Question 59

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

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

Question 60

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

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

Question 61

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

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

Question 62

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

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

Question 63

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 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.
C	The focus is the geographic location of the seismometer and the epicenter is the physical position of the earthquake.
D	They are interchangeable terms used geoscientists to describe earthquakes.
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 64

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

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

Question 65

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

Question 66

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

Question 67

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	Devonian
B	Triassic
C	Jurassic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Ordovician

Question 68

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 anticline
B	symmetrical anticline
C	asymmetrical syncline
D	symmetrical syncline

Question 69

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

A	Pennsylvanian
B	Cenozoic
C	Proterozoic
D	Mesozoic
E	Phanerozoic

Question 70

____ 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	Induced equilibrium
D	Accretion
E	Isostasy

Question 71

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

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

Question 72

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	troposphere
C	thermosphere
D	stratosphere
E	exosphere

Question 73

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

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

Question 73 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 74

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

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

Question 75

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

A	A supercontinent that consisted of today’s South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia.
B	A proposed Precambrian supercontinent that existed around 1 billion years ago.
C	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	None of the answers are correct.

Question 76

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	Injection/addition of water into the ground due to heavy rainfall.
C	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a small period of time.
D	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a long period of time.

Question 76 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 77

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	Hawaiian Islands
C	Himalayas
D	Canadian Rockies

Question 78

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

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

Question 79

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 set of fossils belongs to the same family of organisms.
E	A group of fossil species found in a specific sequence of sedimentary rock.

Question 80

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

Question 81

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

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

Question 82

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	Its elevation from the sea level.
C	Sediment load of the river/stream.
D	Flow rate of the water (velocity) and the volume of water.

Question 83

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

Question 84

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

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

Question 84 Explanation:

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

Question 85

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	Frontal lifting
C	Convergence lifting
D	Orographic lifting
E	Convective lifting

Question 86

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

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

Question 86 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 87

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

A	Sodium
B	Magnesium
C	Calcium
D	Potassium
E	Chloride

Question 88

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

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

Question 88 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 89

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

A	Conglomerate
B	Siltstone
C	Mudstone
D	Sandstone

Question 90

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

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

Question 91

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

A	Isostasy
B	Orogeny
C	Induced stability
D	Equilibrium

Question 91 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 92

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

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

Question 93

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

A	nitrogen
B	water
C	methane
D	carbon dioxide
E	ammonia

Question 94

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

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

Question 94 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 95

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 95 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 96

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

Question 97

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

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

Question 97 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 98

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 99

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

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

Question 99 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 100

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

Question 101

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

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

Question 102

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

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

Question 102 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 103

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

A	Monthly
B	Yearly
C	Weekly
D	Daily

Question 103 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 104

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

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

Question 105

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

Question 105 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 106

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

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

Question 106 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 107

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

A	inclusions only occur in magma chambers.
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 never appear on the surface of rocks.
E	inclusions are younger than the rock which contains them.

Question 108

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

Question 109

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

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

Question 110

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

A	Seismic waves were first discovered by Andrija Mohorovicic.
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 travel faster in high density mediums.
E	Seismic waves are able to sustain their energy in softer mediums for a longer period of time.

Question 111

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

Question 112

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

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

Question 112 Explanation:

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

Question 113

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	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 113 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 114

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

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

Question 115

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

Question 116

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

Question 116 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 117

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

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

Question 118

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

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

Question 119

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

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

Question 119 Explanation:

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

Question 120

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

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

Concepts and Additional Questions for Fall 2010 Final

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Standing on the shoulders of giants