GLGY 202 – Applications of Geoscience
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Geology (GLGY 202-UCAL) Midterm Exam
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Question 1 |
A | Sediment deposition due to increased in the flow velocity close to the outside of the bend. |
B | Seasonal floods that resulting overprinting of existing low elevation regions of floodplains. |
C | Erosion of the floodplain due to increased in flow velocity close to the outside of the bend. |
D | Sediment deposition due to decreased in the flow velocity close to the outside of the bend. |
E | Erosion of the floodplain due to increased in flow velocity on both sides of the bend. |
Question 2 |
A | Expansion of rocks and fractures with influx of water in the region just before an earthquake allow radon gas to migrate. |
B | Energy released just before the earthquakes result in expedite decay of uranium. |
C | Some earthquake zones produce radon gas as a byproduct of fiction between rocks. |
D | Change in density of gases in the subsurface due to multiple forces acting in the fault region result in radon flowing to low density zones. |
E | Build up of pressure causes the radon gas to move from the fault surface to other regions. |
Question 3 |
A | Area with good subsurface porosity and permeability. |
B | Area with mixture of sand and shale layers with water table cutting across it. |
C | Area with large sand subsurface with water table below the sand layer. |
D | Area with large shale subsurface with water table below the shale layer. |
Question 4 |
A | ductile. |
B | brittle. |
C | elastic. |
D | plastic. |
Question 5 |
A | Earth materials that has been altered by physical processes. |
B | A material that can support growth of plants through allowing roots to penetrate. |
C | Earth materials that has been altered by biological processes. |
D | Specific assemblage of minerals and rock fragments. |
E | Solid earth materials that can be removed without blasting. |
Question 6 |
A | Static-dynamic pressure |
B | Hydrostatic pressure |
C | Pore pressure |
D | Atmospheric pressure |
E | Overburden load pressure |
Question 7 |
A | Increased in sediment stability in the upstream. |
B | Increased in river avulsion both upstream and downstream. |
C | Increased in biodiversity in the upstream environments due to higher availability of water. |
D | Upstream deposition of sediments while significant downstream erosion. |
Question 8 |
A | Increased in sea level |
B | Increased in tidal current frequency |
C | Interruption of longshore drift result in increased erosion
|
D | Subsidence |
Question 9 |
A | Older sedimentary rocks |
B | Alluvium |
C | Older igneous rocks |
D | Younger silt and mud |
E | Older compacted silt and mud |
Question 10 |
A | small flood plain. |
B | wider river channel. |
C | large flood plain. |
D | high rate of discharge. |
E | low gradient. |
Question 11 |
A | Natural streams are better at controlling flash floods than channelized streams. |
B | Both natural streams and channelized streams tends to produce meanders. |
C | Typically natural streams have much higher flow velocities than channelized streams. |
D | Natural streams have different sediment depositional sequences (different deposits) than channelized streams. |
E | None of the answers listed here are correct. |
Question 12 |
A | Accumulation of rock fragments from a landslide. |
B | A zone of contaminant accumulation from a leaching site. |
C | A region with highly soluble minerals which could result in landslides and sinkholes. |
D | Debris left behind by movement of glaciers. |
E | Exposed surface left behind after a landslide. |
Question 13 |
A | Reduction of pressure caused by extraction of fluids from pores. |
B | Physical breakdown of subsurface rocks. |
C | Physical breakdown of compacted sediments. |
D | Shrinking of salt deposits due to high overburden pressure. |
E | Chemical weathering of soluble rocks. |
Question 14 |
A | mud flow |
B | pyroclastic flow |
C | lava flow |
D | magma flow |
E | hyaloclastic flow |
Question 15 |
A | Sudden vertical movement of ocean waters caused by an underwater seismic event. |
B | Only occurred during the last 10,000 years. |
C | Generate only P type seismic waves. |
D | A natural hazard that is only found in the Asian regions such as Japan and Indonesia. |
E | Occurs when two earthquakes occurs under water at the same (or close to each other) time. |
Question 16 |
A | It was originated as a result of UN conference held in India. |
B | It failed to detect and send out proper warning signals on 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. |
C | It heavily relies on data obtained through live satellite imagery of tectonic plates. |
D | It comes in to service in 2006. |
Question 17 |
A | SF is equal to 0. |
B | SF is greater than 100. |
C | SF is greater than 1. |
D | SF is equal 100. |
E | SF is equal to 1. |
Question 18 |
A | How far above a standard failure envelope, a rock can withstand without failure. |
B | The ability for a rock to hold a certain weight of materials. |
C | The maximum stress a rock can experience before failure. |
D | The minimum stress required to increase the pressure within the rock above 1000 N. |
E | The ability for a rock to withstand shear forces. |
Question 19 |
A | Unweathered or unaltered materials. |
B | Iron-bearing components. |
C | None of the answers are correct. |
D | Highly concentrated organic matter such as decomposing or decomposed leaves. |
E | Extensive organic root networks. |
Question 20 |
A | typically result in negative pore pressure in deeper parts of subsurface. |
B | is the pressure that is a controlled by the contact surface area between grains within sediments. |
C | typically higher in subduction zones. |
D | typically increases with depth. |
E | is the pressure exerted by liquids such as lakes and rivers on the subsurface. |
Question 21 |
Driving force = 4.2 x 1010 Nm
Resisting force = 12.6 x 1010 Nm
Shear strength = 2.0 x 106 Nm
A | SF = 0.33 |
B | SF = 6 |
C | SF = 6 |
D | SF = 2 |
E | SF = 3 |
SF = (12.6 x 1010 Nm)/(4.2 x 1010 Nm) =3
Question 22 |

A | A , E and O |
B | B , E and O |
C | A , B and R |
D | B , C and R |
E | B , R and C |
Question 23 |
A | If a fault has moved at last 10 cm during the last 10 years. |
B | If the fault has produced significant earthquakes during the last few years. |
C | The definition is depend on the geological regulations in a given region. |
D | The the fault has produced some seismic activities during the last 5 years. |
E | If the fault has moved at least 10 cm during the last 5 years. |
Question 24 |
A | High temperatures and pressures |
B | Boulder size sediments |
C | Low temperatures and pressures |
D | High slope angle or relief |
E | Water runoff |
Question 25 |
A | A type of movement observed in ocean currents during a tsunami. |
B | None of the listed answers are correct. |
C | A situation where odd or uncommon minerals are found within rocks. |
D | A branch of science that involved in study of Earth's tectonic plates movement. |
E | The process in which the magnetic reversal occurs. |
Question 26 |

Original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deformation_%28engineering%29
A | Proportional elastic limit or yield strength |
B | Ultimate strength |
C | Rupture point |
D | Rupture or fracture strength |
Question 27 |
A | Decrease in soil shear strength |
B | Decrease in grain friction. |
C | Increase in pore pressure |
D | Increase in internal friction angle. |
E | Decrease in effective stress |
Question 28 |

Original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deformation_%28engineering%29
A | Ultimate strength |
B | Proportional elastic limit or yield strength |
C | Rupture point |
D | Rupture or fracture strength |
Question 29 |
A | It can be used to generate groundwater table. |
B | It can be used to evaluate geologic stability and conditions in the past and predict future conditions. |
C | There is no economic reasons for soil chronosequence, but it is used in research by scientists. |
D | It can be used to determine the porosity and permeability of older layers, which can be used to interpret groundwater drainage patterns. |
E | It can be used to determine the current fertility of soils. |
Question 30 |
A | Strike-slip faulting |
B | Reverse faulting |
C | Spreading of Mid Ocean Ridges |
D | Normal faulting |
Question 31 |
A | Rayleigh waves |
B | Body waves |
C | P waves |
D | S waves |
E | Love waves |
Question 32 |
A | Liquefaction caused by earthquakes and other naturally occurring vibrations. |
B | Chemical weathering of subsurface limestone. |
C | Subsurface natural drainage systems. |
D | Increased in overburden pressure due to urbanization and building developments. |
E | Intrusion of igneous magmas across metamorphic rocks in the subsurface. |
Question 33 |
A | Pressure is the primary cause of all earthquakes. |
B | Earthquake zones are always accompanied by volcanic activities. |
C | Earthquakes are caused as a result of significant movement of tectonic plates. |
D | At first stage of earthquake development, the elastic strain increases in rocks. |
E | Earthquakes and other tectonic activities are the major driving forces for global warming. |
Question 34 |
A | Political donations. |
B | Sudden unexpected failures in environmental mitigation programs. |
C | Natural animal activities such as bears in populated neighborhoods. |
D | Natural environmental problems such as floods |
E | Wealth and power. |
Question 35 |
A | Pore pressure within the dry zone is most likely at zero or close to zero. |
B | Area is not suitable for agricultural development. |
C | Water table must be above the dry zone. |
D | Dry zone must be located within a unsaturated zone. |
E | Subsurface geology must be composed of 100% or close to 100% impermeable layers. |
Question 36 |
A | Epicenter |
B | Foreshock |
C | Scarp |
D | Hypocenter |
E | Focus |
Question 37 |
A | It is an event that occurs in all earthquakes where the epicenter is directly on top of the focus. |
B | It occurs when amplitude attenuates over a very short period of time. |
C | It occurs when two shear waves compliments each other leading to higher frequencies. |
D | It occurs when the amplitude of shear waves exceeds the velocity of primary wave. |
E | It occurs when rupture along the fault surface occurs at speeds in excess of the seismic shear wave. |
Question 38 |
A | They have the ability to increase in volume with change water content. |
B | They have the ability to decrease in volume with change water content. |
C | They are mostly made up of silicate minerals such as quartz and pyroxenes. |
D | They have larger soil particles than other types of soils. |
E | They have the ability to either increase or decrease in volume with change water content. |
Question 39 |
A | The environment which the movie scene took place cannot be producing calcite. |
B | It could be quartz. |
C | It could be calcite. |
D | Physical appearance of the rock sample is not that of calcite. |
E | This class is so hip and crazy. |
Question 40 |
A | increased overburden pressures directly on top of the salt mines. |
B | lack of understanding of subsurface salt deposits by the mining company. |
C | reduced drainage of subsurface fluids such as water and oil. |
D | drainage of the Lake Peigneur into the Jefferson Island through naturally existing fractures. |
E | poor planing of drilling by the oil company. |
Question 41 |
A | Magnitude 3 |
B | Magnitude 6 |
C | Magnitude 5 |
D | Magnitude 7 |
E | Magnitude 4 |
Question 42 |
A | Composite volcanoes |
B | Cinder cone volcanoes |
C | Dome volcanoes |
D | None of the listed answers are correct. |
E | Shield volcanoes |
Question 43 |
A | Increasing the volume of water in rivers. |
B | Increasing the penetration of water in the subsurface. |
C | Increasing the discharge rate of rivers. |
D | Reducing the storm drainage discharge rate. |
E | Holding water from a flood indefinitely. |
Question 44 |
A | Iron and metal oxides bearing rocks |
B | Gold bearing rocks |
C | Calcium bearing rocks |
D | Uranium bearing rocks |
E | Cesium bearing rocks |
Question 45 |
A | methane |
B | ammonia |
C | carbon dioxide |
D | nitrogen |
E | water |
Question 46 |
A | tectonic activities near the San Andreas Fault. |
B | natural seepage of fluids from the subsurface. |
C | human activities such as building large structures hence increasing the pressure in subsurface and increasing subsidence. |
D | human extraction of fluids from the subsurface. |
Question 47 |
A | Radon |
B | Iodine |
C | Fluorine |
D | Manganese |
E | Arsenic |
Question 48 |
A | Stress is force per unit area while strain is the deformation resulted from stress. |
B | Stress can be directly calculated using deformation of rocks. |
C | Strain only occurs in solid mediums while stress occurs in both solids, liquids and gases. |
D | Strain is force per unit area while stress is the force that result in deformation. |
E | Stress can be directly calculated using alignment of mineral grains and position of fractures. |
Question 49 |
A | Uniform Comprehensive Force test. |
B | Common Load test. |
C | Unconfined Comprehensive Strength test. |
D | Extensional Strength test. |
E | Unified Conditional Strength test. |
Question 50 |
A | Soil creeps |
B | Mud flows |
C | High angle rockfalls |
D | Earth flows |
E | Debris avalanches |
Question 51 |
A | Depth and overburden pressures that resulted in fractures. |
B | Frequency and orientation of fractures. |
C | None of the answers are correct. |
D | Temperature and pressure that causes the fracture network. |
E | Length and width of fractures. |
Question 52 |
A | Composite volcanoes |
B | Cinder cone volcanoes |
C | Shield volcanoes |
D | Dome volcanoes |
Question 53 |
A | Seismic amplitude arrival times become shorter (faster) as you move away from the epicenter. |
B | Majority of the shaking of large tall buildings at a significant distance to epicenter is caused by high frequency seismic waves. |
C | Magnitude of an earthquake at the focus is directly measured by seismic monitoring centers. |
D | Seismic frequency attenuation effect is large with the loner distance from the epicenter. |
E | P wave travel at a much slower velocity than the S saves. |
Question 54 |
A | Areas closer to heat sources such as volcanoes. |
B | Areas with large volume of unconsolidated soils. |
C | Areas with subsurface characterized by alternating strong and weak layers of rocks (eg. schist foliation planes of weakness). |
D | Areas with large volume of igneous and metamorphic rocks. |
E | Areas with high seismic activities such as plate boundary regions (eg, Japan). |
Question 55 |
A | 1 in 30 |
B | 1 in 5 |
C | 1 in 100 |
D | 1 in 60 |
E | 1 in 10 |
Question 56 |
A | Plastics |
B | Paper |
C | Metals |
D | Wood |
E | Glass |
Question 57 |

Original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deformation_%28engineering%29
A | Ultimate strength |
B | Proportional elastic limit or yield strength |
C | Rupture point |
D | Rupture or fracture strength |
Question 58 |
A | Manganese |
B | Fluorine |
C | Iodine |
D | Radon |
E | Arsenic |
Question 59 |
A | Detailed evaluation of several selected sites. |
B | Finding methods to minimize environmental damage. |
C | Identification of important environmental issues. |
D | Creation of a plan for land-use for the project. |
Question 60 |
A | Flooding |
B | Ground cracks |
C | Change in the direction of river flows. |
D | Uplift Hint: Common misconception! |
E | All of these can be caused by subsidence. |
Question 61 |
A | narrow , gently |
B | narrow , steeply |
C | broad , steeply |
D | broad , gently |
Question 62 |
A | Increasing the pore pressure within the subsurface hence increasing the friction between potential failure planes and the subsurface. |
B | Completely diverting all possible water drainage into the hazardous zones. Hint: It is impossible to completely divert all sources. |
C | Reducing the possibility of subsurface springs within the hazardous zones hence reducing the water accumulation in the region. |
D | Reducing the water flow within the subsurface hence decreasing the pore pressure within subsurface that could encourage landslides. |
Question 63 |
A | Rayleigh wave |
B | P-wave |
C | None of the answers are correct. |
D | S-wave |
E | Love wave |
Question 64 |
A | high intensity tsunami , low intensity tsunami |
B | Japanese tsunami , Chinese tsunami |
C | low intensity tsunami , high intensity tsunami |
D | coastal tsunami , distal tsunami |
E | local tsunami , distant tsunami |
Question 65 |
A | distance between the peak and trough of a wavelet. |
B | vibrations per period. |
C | length of signal wavelets. |
D | wavelets per minute. |
E | cycles per second. |
Question 66 |
A | low pressure zone. |
B | leaching zone. |
C | vadose zone. |
D | accumulation zone. |
E | void zone. |
Question 67 |
A | Shield volcanoes |
B | Cinder cone volcanoes |
C | Dome volcanoes |
D | Composite volcanoes |
E | All of the listed types of volcanoes can have such characteristics. |
Question 68 |
A | Time duration intervals between each arrival of seismic wavelets to the monitoring center. |
B | Difference in arrival times between the P wave and S wave at the monitoring center. |
C | Distance between the first geophone and the epicenter of an earthquake. |
D | It describes our lack of understanding of seismic events due to complexity of plate tectonics and fault propagation mechanisms. |
E | Time duration between major earthquakes near an active zone. |
Question 69 |
A | If the pore space is completely saturated with gas(s). |
B | If the pore space is completely filled with fluid(s). |
C | If the sample has no pore space due to tight compaction. |
D | If the sample shows no evidence of flow or fluid migration. |
E | If the sample has no porosity due to tight compaction. |
Question 70 |
A | ductility increases. |
B | brittleness increases. |
C | None of the answers are correct. |
D | possibility of faulting decreases. |
E | density increases. |
Question 71 |
A | They are becoming more uncommon occurrence due to global warming. |
B | There has been no record of flash floods in arid regions such as Las Vegas, Nevada. |
C | They are typically associated with upper parts of the drainage basin. |
D | They exclusively occur in meandering river floodplains. |
E | They are mostly governed by global climatic changes not local weather events. |
Question 72 |
A | high pressure , positive |
B | saturated , negative |
C | saturated , positive |
D | unsaturated , negative |
E | unsaturated , positive |
F | high pressure , negative |
Question 73 |
"No horizon development; many are recent alluvium; synthetic soils are included; are often young soils."
A | Entisols |
B | Vertisols |
C | Histosols |
D | Aridisols |
E | Ulfisols |
Question 74 |
A | Magma solidify at much higher temperatures than lava. |
B | Molten rock and minerals in subsurface is known as magma while it is on the surface known as lava. |
C | Lava is produced when the molten solution has at least 40% of water or hydrous minerals. |
D | Magma has a higher viscosity and low flow rate than lava. |
E | Magma is produced at plate boundaries without volcanic activity while lava is produced at volcanic zones. |
Question 75 |
A | C |
B | O , A and E |
C | A and C |
D | B |
E | B and C |
Question 76 |
A | Radon gas |
B | Airline crashes |
C | Drunk driving |
D | Drowning |
E | Natural and man made fires |
Question 77 |
A | A type , E type |
B | B type , C type |
C | C type , E type |
D | A type , B type |
E | B type , E type |
Question 78 |
A | Political corruption within the Canadian Provincial and Federal Governments. |
B | Pressure from the Indian Government to keep the Canadian mine open. |
C | McGill University study proved that asbestos is safe for consumers. |
D | Strong independent activist who advocated for cheap building materials for India. |
E | There are no other cheaper alternative to asbestos in India or elsewhere. |
Question 79 |
A | Love waves |
B | None of the above answers are correct. |
C | Rayleigh waves |
D | Tsunami |
E | S waves |
Question 80 |
A | subsoils , mineral assemblage |
B | peds , mineral assemblage |
C | molds , shape |
D | peds , shape |
E | molds , mineral assemblage |
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Credits: Based on the excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Gerald Osborn and Dr. Glenn Dolphin during Winter 2016 and textbook ISBN-978-0-393-93750-3.
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