Geology 381 Final Exam-University of Calgary

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Geology (GLGY 381-UCAL) Final Exam

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Question 1

In which area would you expect to find the passive margin (choose from red letters)? (ID-SSF-41)

glgy_381_qz_cot — Foreland Basin Diagram (Credits: Dr. MKG)

A	T
B	H
C	R
D	P
E	N

Question 2

Significant rise in sea level due to Coriolis effect known as... (ID-SSF-05)

A	storm surge.
B	torpedo rise.
C	super elevation. Hint: READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY.
D	super surge.

Question 3

Hyperpycnal flow has which of the following characteristics? (ID-SSF-49)

A	They carry sediments on top of sea waters for a long distances out into the ocean before settling to the bottom.
B	They are typically associated with low density sediment loads.
C	They drive the forces needed for delta formation.
D	They only occurred in the per-Cambrian and no longer observed in modern day environments.
E	They often result in turbidites deposition.

Question 4

In sequence stratigraphy, a relative sea-level rise with landward shoreline migration can be best described with which of the following? (ID-SSF-61)

A	Rate of chemical weathering
B	Transgression
C	Regression
D	Global tectonics
E	Forced regression

Question 5

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force will result in ration in___. (ID-SSF-03)

A	upwards at 90 degrees to the rotational face.
B	downwards at 90 degrees to the rotational face.
C	clockwise direction.
D	counter clockwise direction. (if you take to a bloody British, it will bloody anti-clockwise 🙂

Question 6

What is the most fundamental units of stratigraphy? (ID-SSF-10)

A	beds
B	formations
C	supergroups
D	members
E	groups

Question 7

What type of collision occur at the area marked with F? (ID-SSF-39)

A	Subduction Complex
B	Rifted Margin Prism
C	Interarc Basin
D	Magmatic Arc
E	Trench

Question 8

Marine Flooding Surfaces (MFS) can be described as transgressive surfaces. (ID-SSF-26)

A	False
B	True

Question 8 Explanation:

Transgression is the rise in sea level which result in MFS layers.

Question 9

Fluvial channel point bars are associated with ___I___ successions, alluvial channel point bars are associated with ___II___ successions and prograding marine shelfs are associated with ___III___ successions. (ID-SSF-54)

A	I. fining upwards II. fining upwards III. coarsening upwards
B	I. fining upwards II. coarsening upwards III. fining upwards
C	I. coarsening upwards II. fining upwards III. fining upwards
D	I. fining upwards II. fining upwards III. fining upwards
E	I. fining upwards II. coarsening upwards III. coarsening upwards

Question 10

What does the parasequences represents in a stratigraphic section? (ID-SSF-15)

A	Transgression
B	Regression Hint: Close, but this is not the right term!
C	Progradation
D	Rising sea level
E	Increase in accommodation space

Question 10 Explanation:

Progradation is the term used in stratography that describes the seaward movement of the shoreline (regression/dropping sea level and accommodation space).

Question 11

The super elevation of the water surface is caused by the low atmospheric pressure. (ID-SSF-06)

A	False
B	True

Question 12

Deposition usually occur during the periods of __A__ sea level and erosion occur during the periods of __B__. (ID-SSF-45)

A	A. Oscillating B. Non-oscillating
B	A. low B. high
C	A. high B. low
D	A. Non-oscillating B. Oscillating

Question 13

When a sequence of stratigraphic sections ends by lapping onto a surface can be observed in... (ID-SSF-24)

A	abyssal plains..
B	basins.
C	disconformities.
D	paraconformities.

Question 14

Which of the following statements correctly identify hinterland and basin characteristics of deltas? (ID-SSF-51)

A	Discharge and subsidence are associated with hinterland and accommodation is associated with basin.
B	Discharge and relief are associated with hinterland and accommodation and slope is associated with basin.
C	Discharge and relief are associated with hinterland and accommodation and subsidence are associated with basin.
D	Discharge, subsidence and accommodation are associated with hinterland and subsidence is associated with basin.
E	Discharge, relief and subsidence are associated with hinterland and accommodation is associated with basin.

Question 15

What is the effect of lowstand on accommodation space? (ID-SSF-28)

A	Sediments will be mostly filled in the basin bypassing the deposition process on the continental shelf.
B	Accommodation space will be moved towards the shoreline.
C	Accommodation space always will be deceased significantly.
D	Sediments will be mostly filled in the continental shelf with very little to no sed deposition on the basin.

Question 16

Refer to the diagram below, submarine fans (turbidites) form as a result of flow expansion on this part of the canyon. (ID-SSF-32)

Diagram is copyrighted to pima.edu

A	3
B	5
C	2
D	1
E	4

Question 16 Explanation:

The abyssal plain is the region where the rate flow expansion become extreme causing sudden drop in energy of the flow. This reduce the ability to keep the sediments in suspension causing deposition.

Question 17

In sequence stratigraphy, what do you call the termination of more steeply dipping overlying strata against a surface or underlying strata that have lower apparent dips? (ID-SSF-43)

A	onlap
B	downlap
C	erosional surface
D	toplap

Question 18

Continental shelf compared to Oceanic shelf... (ID-SSF-34)

A	more mafic
B	more denser
C	more basaltic
D	more granitic

Question 19

This part of the Foreland Basin System is hard to identify on sediment records because it often gets eroded away. (ID-SSF-47)

A	forebulge
B	wedgetop
C	suckdeep
D	foredeep
E	backbulge

Question 20

Geologically speaking, (in otherwords not politically) can a basin be formed on land? (ID-SSF-37)

A	Yes
B	No

Question 20 Explanation:

A basin can be formed on both land and ocean if the right conditions for large-scale accumulation of sediments exists.

Question 21

Falling inflection point (FIP) is generally followed by... (ID-SSF-27)

A	rise in sea level
B	sudden decrease in regional sed load.
C	highstand
D	lowstand
E	sudden increase in regional sed load.

Question 22

Transgression cause continental shelf to erode away. (ID-SSF-09)

A	True
B	Flase

Question 22 Explanation:

It is the drop in seal level(regression) that result in shelf erosion.

Question 23

What is the primary Geological concept accosted with Japanese Islands, the Philippines, and the Aleutian Islands chains? (ID-SSF-29)

A	subduction and trenches
B	hot spots
C	continental volcanoes
D	sea-floor spreading and mid-ocean ridges
E	transform faulting

Question 24

How is retrogradation is different from progradation? (ID-SSF-17)

A	They are the same; therefore the question is wrong.
B	The first term describes the seawards movement of the shoreline and the second term describes the landwards movement of the shoreline.
C	The first term describes the landwards movement of the shoreline and the second term describes the seawards movement of the shoreline.
D	The first term is used in depositional descriptions and the second term is used in fluvial descriptions.

Question 25

What kind of sequence pattern would you expect to observe if the sediment supply remains at the constant but relative seal level remain constant? (ID-SSF-62)

A	Transgressional
B	Progradational
C	Aggradational
D	Retogradational

Question 26

All of the following will result in facies shift towards seawards except... (ID-SSF-64)

A	forced regression
B	regression and transgression
C	transgression
D	regression
E	regression and forced regression

Question 27

What letter on the following cartoon represent the toplap-downlap sequence? (yes, it is a two different things, so watch out!) (ID-SSF-44)

A	A
B	A and B
C	B
D	A and C
E	C
F	B and C

Question 27 Explanation:

It is just A because the first part of the A (green lines) is the toplap(up until the horizontal propagation indicate a significant change in dip) and the second part of it clearly indicate a sudden change in dip from almost horizontal to almost vertical. Hence the second part is a representation of downlap. While this may not be a part of GLGY 381, it is often a confusing concepts for upcoming armature field geologists.

Question 28

When in the field, geologic time defined the stratigraphic time scale. (ID-SSF-11)

A	False
B	True

Question 28 Explanation:

Observations comes first! If the data collected on stratigraphic sections does not align with the expected geologic time scale, then it can be explained using contacts descriptors.

Question 29

When do we use the "Supergroup" when analyzing a type section? (ID-SSF-23)

A	When analyzing fossils and chemical composition (carbon) to date formations.
B	When analyzing data collected from a large region.
C	When analyzing data collected in a small region.
D	When dealing with areas that is difficult to access.

Question 30

Which of the following does not impact the type of shape of deltas? (ID-SSF-56)

A	None of the answers are correct.
B	Climate and weather
C	Tectonics such as subsidence and uplift
D	Velocity of rivers
E	Sediment load

Question 30 Explanation:

Note all of the above listed answers contribute to the type and shape of delta formations.

Question 31

If you were to indicate the boundary between the Indian-Asian crust, where would it be (choose from red letters)? (ID-SSF-40)

A	D
B	L
C	B
D	A
E	F

Question 32

According to the oscillatory flow regime, the characteristic of ripples changes from 3D to 2D as velocity _A_ and grain size __B__. (ID-SSF-01)

A	A. decreases B. decreases
B	A. decreases B. increases
C	A. increases B. decreases
D	A. increases B. increases

Question 33

Alluvial fans dominated high gradient deltas are characterized by which of the following? (ID-SSF-52)

A	Mud and silt dominated deposits
B	Gravel dominated deposits
C	Extremely high subsidence
D	Extremely low subsidence
E	Sand dominated deposits

Question 34

Which are the main parts of foreland basin system? (select all that apply) (ID-SSF-46)

A	foredeep
B	basin
C	foreland
D	wedgetop
E	forebulge
F	backbuldge
G	channel

Question 35

A break in the depositional time scale on a stratigraphic section known as... (ID-SSF-13)

A	disconformity
B	a hiatus.
C	angular unconformity.
D	a conformity.
E	paraconformity

Question 36

______ is the most difficult type of nonconformity to identify. Hence geologists often rely on data acquired from fossils, isotopic and geo-technical(including geophysical) records. (ID-SSF-14)

A	Paraconformity
B	Disconformity
C	Nonconformity
D	Hiatus
E	Angular unconformity

Question 37

Generally the sea-level changes can be plotted on a straight line. (ID-SSF-20)

A	True
B	False

Question 37 Explanation:

It is more or less of a sin curve than a straight line. The rise and fall in the sea-level is sinusoidal.

Question 38

In Geology, what is a hiatus? (ID-SSF-22)

A	A sudden increase of deposition in a specific window of geologic time.
B	An unexplained nonconformity.
C	A discontinuity in the age of strata due to lack of deposition.
D	The line between the lateral contact of two sets of widely different strata.

Question 39

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force will result in ration in___. (ID-SSF-04)

A	clockwise direction.
B	downwards at 90 degrees to the rotational face.
C	upwards at 90 degrees to the rotational face.
D	counter clockwise direction. (if you take to a bloody British, it will bloody anti-clockwise 🙂

Question 40

The Magmatic Arc is represented by... (choose from red letters) (ID-SSF-42)

A	C
B	A
C	B
D	E
E	D

Question 41

On the continental shelves, the most biological activities can be found in this zone. (ID-SSF-07)

A	coral reef zone.
B	passive zone.
C	active zone.
D	photic zone.

Question 42

__A__ will result in __B__. (ID-SSF-19)

A	A. Rising inflection point (RIP) B. highstand
B	A. Highstand B. rising inflection point (RIP)
C	A. Highstand B. falling inflection point (FIP)
D	A. Highstand B. rising inflection point (RIP)
E	A. Lowstand B. falling inflection point (FIP)

Question 43

A situation where the coastline stays in the same position for long periods of time is relatively unusual and requires a balance between relative sea-level rise and sediment supply producing a pattern of ______ in the sediments (ID-SSF-63)

A	progradation
B	aggradation
C	retogradation
D	transgredation

Question 44

When would you expect to observe Marine Flooding Surfaces (MFS) on type sections? (ID-SSF-25)

A	near nonconformities
B	on the volcanic arc
C	on the basin floor fan.
D	near paraconformities
E	near mid ocean ridges(MOR)

Question 45

Braided rivers are commonly associated with which type of deltas? (ID-SSF-55)

A	Wave-dominated deltas
B	None of the answers are correct
C	Tide-dominated deltas
D	Fan deltas

Question 46

What type of descriptors do we use, when describing a type section? (ID-SSF-12)

A	spatial
B	analytical
C	practical
D	theoretical
E	temporal

Question 47

Which part of the Foreland Basin System would you expect to find the highest (relatively high/fast) rate of deposition? (ID-SSF-48)

A	foredeep
B	forebulge
C	backbulge
D	wedgetop

Question 48

Which of the following would result in increase in accommodation space? (ID-SSF-65)

A	Increase in relative sea level and increased in sediment input at the same time.
B	Decrease in relative sea level and uplift occurring at the same time.
C	Decrease in relative sea level and increased in sediment input at the same time.
D	Increase in relative sea level and increase in subsidence the same time.
E	Increase in relative sea level and uplift occurring at the same time.

Question 49

What are Milankovitch cycles? (ID-SSF-68)

A	Long term variations in the rate of sea floor spreading and subduction which result in global sea-level changes.
B	Long term variations in the orbit of the Earth which result in changes in climate.
C	Long term variations in global temperatures that is caused by natural cycles of the Sun.
D	Long term variations in the volume of glaciers which result in global sea level changes.
E	Long term variation in atmospheric conditions which results in global changes in sedimentary processes.

Question 50

In order to deform either continental or oceanic crust, which of the following must be true? (think and apply!) (ID-SSF-36)

A	The pressure on both sides of the continental or oceanic boundaries must be at equilibrium.
B	I have no clue what the hell you are talking about. I hate applied principles of geology. Hint: Since you have pick this one, I suggest that you click and open the renaming choices just to read what it was.....?
C	The force of the load due to gravity must be large enough to overcome the forces within the crust resulting flexure.
D	The forces within the crust should exceed the forced applied on the crust by the load resulting flexure.

Question 51

Refer to the diagram below, the continental shelf is represented on this diagram by... (ID-SSF-33)

Diagram is copyrighted to pima.edu

A	6
B	5
C	4
D	7
E	3

Question 52

According to the Gilbert-type deltas, which of the following structural section of the delta would most likely to produce underwater slumping? (ID-SSF-57)

A	Distalset
B	Bottomset
C	Topset
D	Foreset

Question 53

What part of the continental margin where slumping occur creating canyon(s)? (ID-SSF-31)

Diagram is copyrighted to pima.edu

A	4
B	2
C	7
D	3
E	1

Question 54

Increase in the length of active spreading ridges in the world will result in which of the following? (ID-SSF-66)

A	Sediment influx will be significantly increased as continental crust is pushed further upwards resulting greater erosion.
B	Global sea level will be decrease as new oceanic crust is formed due to spreading.
C	Global sea level will be increase as the new oceanic crust takes up space in basins.
D	Active spreading ridges would have no impact on either sediment influx or global sea levels because this activity will be balanced through subduction.
E	Sediment influx will be significantly decreased as deposited sediments within the accommodation space is used up to produce new oceanic crust.

Question 54 Explanation:

If the total length of spreading ridges in the world’s oceans is great, more of the space in the ocean basins will be taken up by the ocean new hot and buoyant crust and this will cause sea level to rise.

Question 55

Continental shelves can form in __A__. (most suitable answer) (ID-SSF-08)

A	margins with high slope basements.
B	active margins.
C	volcanic regions.
D	passive margins.

Question 56

What effect, if any, the terrigeneous clastic supply have on carbonate productivity? (ID-SSF-50)

A	Increased terrigenous clastic supply reduces carbonate productivity.
B	At first it will rapidly decrease the carbonate productivity, but in the long run it will increase the carbonate productivity as terrigenous clastic supply will introduce essential chemical components to the system.
C	There is no effect because the carbonate productivity is independent of terrigenous clastic supply.
D	At first terrigenous clastic supply will rapidly increase the carbonate productivity, but in the long run it will create chemical barriers reducing carbonate productivity.

Question 57

Which order of sea-level cycles would provide the best resolution? (ID-SSF-67)

A	Third-order
B	First-order
C	Second-order
D	It is based on the type of tectonic and basinal setting.

Question 57 Explanation:

Higher resolution provide more details within short intervals hence more information can be extracted from higher resolution sea-level curves. First-order sea-level cycles are more smoother than the third-order sea-level cycles.

Question 58

During this period, no(or very little) sediments get deposited in the basin. (ID-SSF-21)

A	Warm and wet seasons
B	Highstand
C	Retrogradation
D	Lowstand

Question 59

Storm ridge near beach fronts can be best described by which of the following? (ID-SSF-58)

A	Sandy deposits
B	Clastic deposits
C	Muddy deposits
D	Coastal plain deposits

Question 60

Extremely well-sorted and imbricated gravel may be found close to what part of the near-shore system? (ID-SSF-02)

A	near the mid ocean ridge
B	inner the inner shelf
C	near the shore line
D	near the wave base

Question 61

Sedimentation is affected by several factors. Which has the most significant impact on sedimentation processes? (ID-SSF-59)

A	Relative base level
B	Global tectonics
C	Eustasy
D	Rifting mechanisms
E	Rate of chemical weathering

Question 61 Explanation:

All of the listed factors contribute to the rate of sedimentation. However, only one has the most impact. On multiple choice exams you are expected to choose the best answer possible. Think about what is "Sequence Stratigraphy".

Question 62

Basin sediments can preserve historical sediments deposition for over millions of years. (ID-SSF-35)

A	False because it can preserve only up to few thousands of years because tidal currents disturb the depositional process.
B	False because it can only preserve up to about half a million years.
C	True

Question 63

Delta lobe progradation will result in what type of succession? (ID-SSF-53)

A	Dominant muddy deposits in distal regions
B	Coarsening upward
C	Dominant sandy deposits at the base
D	Fining upward

Question 64

A linked depositional systems known as system tracks. (ID-SSF-16)

A	False
B	True

Question 65

A dunk lazy Geologist is driving from Vancouver International Airport towards the North Pacific Ocean. If he/she is driving into the sea fast enough, the first geologic feature he/she would encounter as the vehicle leaves the shoreline during highstand is... (most likely answer) (ID-SSF-18)

A	continental boundary.
B	continental shelf.
C	oceanic shelf.
D	the basin.
E	the mid ocean ridge.

Question 66

In sequence stratigraphy, the forced regression is characterized by which of the following? (ID-SSF-60)

A	Fall in relative sea-level and movement of the shoreline landwards.
B	Rise in relative sea-level and movement of the shoreline seawards.
C	Rise in relative sea-level and movement of the shoreline landwards.
D	Fall in relative sea-level and movement of the shoreline seawards.
E	None of the answers listed here are correct.

Question 67

On this continental margin diagram, the abyssal plain is represented by... (ID-SSF-30)

Diagram is copyrighted to pima.edu

A	2
B	4
C	1
D	5
E	3

Question 68

What type of collision can occur at the area marked with N? (ID-SSF-38)

A	Continent-Ocean Collision
B	Continent-Continent Collision
C	Passive Margin Collision
D	Active Margin Collision
E	Ocean-Ocean Collision

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Credits: Based on the excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Melissa Giovanni during Fall 2012.
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