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Go to: Midterm Exam

Geology (GLGY 201-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

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 folding.
C	structural feature originated primarily due to an igneous event.
D	deformation that resulted in faulting.

Question 2

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	Convergence lifting
C	Frontal lifting
D	Divergent lifting
E	Convective lifting

Question 3

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

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

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

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

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

Question 6 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 7

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

A	Extraction of groundwater in large volumes in a 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 7 Explanation:

Groundwater extraction at a higher rate/volume will reduce the window needed to "bounce back" of cone of depression by infilling the pore space.
Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 8

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

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

Question 8 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 9

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

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

Question 10

Precambrian is divided into two Eons as shown on the following diagram as 1C and 1D. What are they? (ID-GLF-62)
Note: DO NOT scroll down to the Geologic Time scale on this page. Answer this question without using any AIDS.

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

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

The physical processes exists today also operated in the past roughly at the same rates and these processes were responsible for the formation of geologic features. This statement is best known as the... (ID-GLF-15)

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

Question 13

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

A	shear
B	deformation
C	strain
D	stress

Question 14

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 fractures that have no offsets, while faults are fractures with offsets.
C	Joints are usually associated with igneous processes and faults are usually associated with orogenic processes.
D	Joints are much smaller in scale than faults.
E	Joints only occur in softer materials such as sediments and faults occur in hard rocks.

Question 14 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 15

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

A	Orogeny
B	Induced equilibrium
C	Accretion
D	Mesopause
E	Isostasy

Question 16

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

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

Question 16 Explanation:

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

Question 17

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	Phanerozoic
C	Cenozoic
D	Mesozoic
E	Pennsylvanian

Question 18

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	Exosphere
D	Thermosphere
E	Stratosphere
F	Ionosphere

Question 19

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

Question 19 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 20

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

Question 20 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 21

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

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

Question 21 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 22

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	infiltration.
C	evaporation.
D	sublimation.
E	precipitation.

Question 22 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 23

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 24

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

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

Question 25

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

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

Question 26

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	Devonian
D	Cenozoic
E	Eocene
F	Jurassic

Question 27

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

Question 28

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

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

Question 28 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 29

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

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

Question 29 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 30

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 30 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 31

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 syncline
C	symmetrical anticline
D	asymmetrical syncline

Question 32

What is orogeny? (ID-GLF-43)

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

Question 33

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	troposphere
C	stratosphere
D	thermosphere
E	ionosphere
F	exosphere

Question 34

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

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

Question 34 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 35

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

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

Question 35 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 36

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

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

Question 37

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

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

Question 38

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 39

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

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

Question 40

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

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

Question 40 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 41

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

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

Question 41 Explanation:

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

Question 42

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 43

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 structures that allow free flow of water II. subsurface regions where water accumulates
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. sediment or rock structures that has very low permeability II. sediment or rock structures that has very high permeability

Question 43 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 44

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

Question 44 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 45

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	Ductile nature of the two moving sections.
D	Compression pressure along the contact boundary between two moving sections.
E	Non-uniform boundary conditions between two moving sections.

Question 46

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

Question 47

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	Jurassic
C	Triassic
D	Ordovician
E	Pennsylvanian

Question 48

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

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

Question 49

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	Cretaceous
B	Pennsylvanian
C	Permian
D	Jurassic
E	Carboniferous
F	Devonian

Question 50

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

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

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

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

Question 52 Explanation:

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

Question 53

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

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

Question 53 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 54

What is Gondwana? (ID-GLF-29)

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

Question 55

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

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

Question 56

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

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

Question 56 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 57

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	100 Ma
C	375 Ma
D	125 Ma
E	300 Ma

Question 57 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 58

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

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

Question 59

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

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

Question 60

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

Question 61

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 P-waves that intersects the land surface.
E	They are S-waves that intersects the land surface.

Question 61 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 62

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

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

Question 62 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 63

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

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

Question 64

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

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

Question 65

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

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

Question 66

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

A	It is a line on a map used to separate different air pressures.
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 graphical representation of change in temperature with depth in the lithosphere.
E	It is a bar where ice cold drinks are served only for cool geoscientists.

Question 67

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

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

Question 68

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

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

Question 69

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

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

Question 69 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 70

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

Question 71

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

A	Kerogen forms at the Earth's surface.
B	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.
C	Permeability refers to the fraction of open space within rocks.
D	Oil window is smaller that that of natural gas window.
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 72

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

Question 72 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 73

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

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

Question 73 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 74

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

Question 75

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

A	Erosion of high standing sedimentary structures and subsequent deposition of the materials downstream.
B	Deposition of organic matter on terrestrial sediments due to decay of plants and organisms.
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 76

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

A	nitrogen
B	methane
C	carbon dioxide
D	water
E	ammonia

Question 77

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

A	Sodium
B	Calcium
C	Magnesium
D	Potassium
E	Chloride

Question 78

What is Laurentia? (ID-GLF-28)

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

Question 79

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

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

Question 80

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

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

Question 80 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 81

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 82

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

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

Question 83

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

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

Question 83 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 84

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	partial crystallization
D	decompression crystallization

Question 85

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

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

Question 85 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 86

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

A	Induced stability
B	Orogeny
C	Equilibrium
D	Isostasy

Question 86 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 87

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	The fossilization process in which plant material becomes transformed into rock by the precipitation of silica from groundwater.
D	Formation of new minerals when preexisting minerals change into new minerals as a result of an increase in pressure and temperature.
E	The process by which atoms dissolved in a solution come together and form minerals.

Question 88

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 88 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 89

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

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

Question 89 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 90

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

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

Question 91

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

A	vulcanian
B	plinean
C	surtseyan
D	strombolian
E	phreatic

Question 92

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

A	Siltstone
B	Sandstone
C	Conglomerate
D	Mudstone

Question 93

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

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

Question 93 Explanation:

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

Question 94

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

A	Protista
B	Plantae
C	Animalia
D	Fungi
E	Bacteria

Question 95

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

Question 95 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 96

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

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

Question 96 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 97

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

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

Question 98

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

Question 99

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 100

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

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

Question 100 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 101

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

A	trigger point
B	slip point
C	focus
D	epicenter

Question 102

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

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

Question 103

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

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

Question 104

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

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

Question 105

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

A	Weekly
B	Yearly
C	Monthly
D	Daily

Question 105 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 106

What is Rodinia? (ID-GLF-27)

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

Question 107

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

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

Question 108

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	exosphere
E	stratosphere

Question 109

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

Question 110

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

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

Question 111

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	3.87 Ga
C	4.03 Ga
D	4.54 Ga
E	3.55 Ga

Question 112

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

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

Question 112 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Brandon Karchewski Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 113

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

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

Question 113 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak Fall 2015 lecture notes.

Question 114

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	Cretaceous
B	Devonian
C	Silurian
D	Cambrian
E	Paleogene

Question 115

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

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

Question 116

Which of the following is an example of a orogenic mountain belt that has formed from the collision of two large continents? (ID-GLF-12)

A	Hawaiian Islands
B	Basin and Range
C	Canadian Rockies
D	Himalayas

Question 117

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	The epicenter of an earthquake.
D	None of the listed answers are correct.
E	An area that has been known to have earthquakes in high frequency in the past.

Question 118

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 travel faster in high density mediums.
D	Seismic waves are able to sustain their energy in softer mediums for a longer period of time.
E	Seismic waves that enters a faster medium from a slower medium will undergo refraction towards the normal.

Question 119

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

A	Proterozoic
B	Cenozoic
C	Phanerozoic
D	Pennsylvanian
E	Mesozoic

Question 120

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

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

Question 120 Explanation:

Ref: Dr. Alexander Dutchak 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