Geology 381 Midterm II-University of Calgary

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Geology (GLGY 381-UCAL) Midterm Exam II

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Question 1

Alluvial fans are differ from deltas because alluvial fans are formed as a direct result of flow expansion. (ID-SSM2-50)

A	False
B	True

Question 1 Explanation:

Both alluvial fans AND deltas are formed as a direct result of flow expansion. However, alluvial fans are deposited at the mouth of the canyon when it enters a low lying land while deltas are formed at the mouth of the river where a body of sediments deposited in a large body of standing water (ocean, lake).

Question 2

Which of the following describes characteristics of floatstones according to Dunham Classification? (ID-SSM2-68)

A	Mud supported with less than 10% grains.
B	Mud supported with more than 10% grains.
C	Organic framework supported with original components organically bounded.
D	Grain supported with some mud within the matrix.
E	Matrix supported with more than 10% grains.

Question 2 Explanation:

Some instructors do not require students to know this.

Question 3

As the amount of evaporation increases in lakes, the type of mineral precipitation varies. Which of the following has the correct order of mineral precipitation as lakes environment move from low evaporation to high evaporation? (ID-SSM2-94)

A	Calcium carbonate - Gypsum - Sodium sulphates (eg. mirabilite) - Halite
B	Gypsum - Calcium carbonate - Sodium sulphates (eg. mirabilite) - Halite
C	Gypsum - Sodium sulphates (eg. mirabilite) - Calcium carbonate - Halite
D	Calcium carbonate - Sodium sulphates (eg. mirabilite) - Gypsum - Halite
E	Calcium carbonate - Halite - Sodium sulphates (eg. mirabilite) - Gypsum

Question 4

A core sample can be exclusively used to identify the depositional environment with strong geologic constraints. (ID-SSM2-11)

A	True if the core penetrated across different strata.
B	True if the core samples are taken within few lateral meters from each other.
C	True if the core is taken perpendicular to the natural depositional surfaces.
D	False

Question 4 Explanation:

A core sample by itself cannot be used to identify the depositional environment. Several samples are needed to analyze the geological conditions in a given area.

Question 5

A Professional Geologist have made the following observations: (ID-SSM2-24)
-active and extinct distributaries
-poorly sorted and mostly matrix supported
-reverse grading in basal section
-very steep surface with no vegetation
A possible environment for such observations could be....

A	humid-desert extreme weather dominated river bed
B	low sediment load river bed
C	debris flow dominated fan
D	high sediment load river bed
E	stream flow dominated fan

Question 6

In lakes where sediment plumes and turbidity currents are the main transport mechanisms... (ID-SSM2-91)

A	shallow lake facies will consist of very finely laminated muds deposited from suspension alternating with thin graded turbidites.
B	None of the answers are correct.
C	shallow lake facies will consist of alternating large scale muddy beds and sandy beds.
D	deep lake facies will consist of very finely laminated muds deposited from suspension alternating with thin graded turbidites.
E	deep lake facies will consist of alternating large scale muddy beds and sandy beds.

Question 7

The process which the pressure difference drives the water from cut bank to point bar is caused by... (ID-SSM2-44)

A	gravitational force.
B	helicoidal flow.
C	gravitational flow.
D	sediment accumulation.

Question 8

What is flow expansion? (ID-SSM2-21)

A	Flow expansion is caused by increase in area of the fluid flow.
B	Flow expansion is caused by decrease in sediment load of the fluid flow.
C	Flow expansion is caused by increase in sediment load of the fluid flow.
D	Flow expansion is caused by decrease in area of the fluid flow.

Question 9

Which type of alluvial fans most likely to preserve imbrication of clasts and up stream cross-stratification? (ID-SSM2-85)

A	Subaerial debris flows
B	Sheetflood deposition
C	Channel banks
D	Stream-channel fans

Question 10

Diagenesis is the process in which... (ID-SSM2-05)

A	sediments get buried.
B	grains transported to a new environment.
C	original horizontally changed due to a tectonic event.
D	soil created.

Question 10 Explanation:

To be clear; Diagenesis is the process of compaction and lithofication of sediments into sedimentary rocks.

Question 11

Cyanobacterial communities that have an irregular rather than layered form is known as... (ID-SSM2-63)

A	Stromatolites
B	Ahermatypic serpulids
C	Stromatoporoids
D	Oncoids
E	Thrombolites

Question 12

This is an areal image taken in 1996 of a geologic feature in Skeidararsandur (Iceland). What is the best interpretation for this image? (ID-SSM2-48)

Copyrighted to Magnus Tumi Gumundsson and Finnur Palsson

A	Alluvial fan formed by a stream with heavy sediment load
B	Alluvial fan formed by a stream with high density sediment load
C	Delta formed due to hyperpycnal flow
D	Delta formed due to tidal flow
E	Delta formed due to hyperpycnal flow

Question 12 Explanation:

This is a difficult question, but a fair question.

Question 13

Due to modern day global warming, the change in overall global sediment accommodation space has undergone.... (ID-SSM2-15)

A	regression
B	subsidence
C	erosion
D	base level increase
E	transgression

Question 14

What are ephemeral lakes? (ID-SSM2-89)

A	Lakes that form in a volcanic crater or caldera.
B	Lake that are hydrologically closed and produce large deposits of precipitate minerals.
C	Lakes that are temporary bodies of water that exist for short periods of time.
D	Lakes with very high heat capacity hence able to reduce the temperate of the surrounding regions.

Question 15

Alluvial fans dominated by debris flows tend to form with __A__, while stream-flow dominated fans tend to form with __B__. (ID-SSM2-25)

A	A. steeper slopes in a wide area B. shallower slopes in a small area
B	A. shallower slopes in a small area B. steeper slopes in a small area
C	A. shallower slopes in a small area B. steeper slopes in a wide area
D	A. steeper slopes in a small area B. shallower slopes in a wide area
E	A. steeper slopes in a small area B. shallower slopes in a small area

Question 16

In alluvial fan transverse cross sections a geologist will___. (ID-SSM2-20)

A	observe a no change in base level or overall elevation since the sediments get deposited in a rapid rate.
B	observe an increase and then a decrease in base level moving downstream (like a bra cup).
C	observe a drop in base level moving downstream (negative change in slope).
D	observe a increase in base level moving downstream (positive change in slope).

Question 17

These type of fragments commonly found within limestone are faecal pellets of marine organisms such as gastropods. (ID-SSM2-64)

A	Ooids
B	Pisoids
C	Peloids
D	Oncoids

Question 18

Bonus; Calgary Elbow River will fall under what type of river system? (ID-SSM2-59)

A	braided
B	anastomosing
C	graded
D	meandering

Question 19

What is the process of transgressions? (ID-SSM2-13)

A	Landward movement of the shore line often as a direct result of fall in sea level.
B	Seaward movement of the shore line often as a direct result of rise in sea level.
C	Seaward movement of the shore line often as a direct result of drop in sea level.
D	Landward movement of the shore line often as a direct result of rise in sea level.

Question 20

Tidal inlets form under____ (pick the most suitable) (ID-SSM2-60)

A	high energy conditions.
B	low density flows.
C	low energy conditions.
D	high density flows.

Question 20 Explanation:

While density of the flow may play a role in how inlets in a tidally dominated deltas, it is the high energy condition drives the mechanism for the formation of inlets.

Question 21

On the following diagram, the type of delta that would formed at point 2 (blue) can be described as... (ID-SSM2-42)

A	wave influx delta with a shape of a cupcake.
B	wave influx delta with a shape of a bird's foot.
C	tidal flow delta with a shape of a cupcake.
D	sediment impact delta with a shape of a bird's foot.

Question 22

Sandy braided river systems will form __A__ and gravel braided rivers systems will form __B__. (ID-SSM2-56)

A	A. stable channels B. unstable channels
B	A. unstable channels B. stable channels
C	A. longitudinal bars B. transverse bars
D	A. levees B. point bars.
E	A. transverse bars B. longitudinal bars

Question 23

On tidally dominated delta formations, lagoons can be identified by their fine grained mud (Fm) and/or rich organic content. (ID-SSM2-58)

A	True
B	False, that's a longitudinal bar.
C	False, that's a point bar.

Question 24

What is the difference between avulsion and migration? (ID-SSM2-38)

A	Avulsion and migration both caused by the rapid change of a river channel. But migration is found in braided rivers and avulsion found in meandering rivers.
B	Avulsion and migration both caused by the rapid change of a river channel. But avulsion is found in braided rivers and migration found in meandering rivers.
C	Migration is the rapid change of a river channel and usually caused by a sudden event such as a flood or an earthquake. Avulsion is the normal lateral motion of an alluvial river channel across its floodplain.
D	Avulsion is the rapid change of a river channel and usually caused by a sudden event such as a flood or an earthquake. Migration is the normal lateral motion of an alluvial river channel across its floodplain.

Question 25

The submarine delta deposits from when... (ID-SSM2-47)

A	density of effluent > density of the ambient Hint: aka hyperpycnal flow
B	density of effluent < density of the ambient
C	density of effluent/density of the ambient = infinity
D	density of effluent = density of the ambient

Question 25 Explanation:

Density of effluent (river water) is higher than the density of the ambient (sea water) causing river sediments to transport further and deposit in the ocean.

Question 26

What is the best reasonable paleoenvironment interpretation for the following geological observations? (ID-SSM2-81)
-Several channels filled with sandy to muddy deposits
-Most of the channel fills overlaps each others
-Both vertically and laterally the channels are closer to each other

A	Sediment load must have been enriched in sand relative to muddy and other materials.
B	River avulsion must have occurred with a much lower rate of channel fill and higher subsidence rate relative to the rate of overbank fill.
C	Must have been a submarine deposit channels within a large underwater deltaic environment.
D	River avulsion must have occurred with a much higher rate of channel fill and slow subsidence rate relative to the rate of overbank fill.
E	Several rivers must have been cut across the paleo flood plane at the same period of time, resulting multiple channels.

Question 27

Crevasse splays are deposits found in __A__ systems and generally have __B__ grains than flood plain facies. (ID-SSM2-36)

A	A. alluvial B. finer
B	A. alluvial B. coarser
C	A. fluvial B. finer
D	A. fluvial B. coarser

Question 28

Meandering rivers most likely to formed in areas with... (ID-SSM2-34)

A	low gradient.
B	rivers with high width to depth ratio.
C	stable channels carrying a lose sediment load (such as sand/mud).
D	shallow unstable channels.
E	high gradient.

Question 28 Explanation:

Low gradient=low width to depth ratio. In some areas the difference is so small, it is harder for a Geologist to find the downstream direction (assuming river is not flowing).

While the meander is caused by several factors; the main factor is the low slope of the channel.

Question 29

How is scars different from oxbow lakes? (ID-SSM2-33)

A	Scars are produced by braided rivers and oxbow lakes are produced by meandering rivers.
B	Scars are produced by anastomating rivers and oxbow lakes are produced by meandering rivers.
C	Scars and oxbow lakes are produced by meandering rivers. The difference is where oxbow lakes are filled with water.
D	They are the same thing, scars formed in dry-humid environment and oxbow lakes formed in wet environments.

Question 29 Explanation:

aka meandering scars

Question 30

How does large scale oxbow lakes get filled up by sediments? (ID-SSM2-80)

A	Development of soil form vegetation. Hint: Yes, but typically for smaller oxbow lakes.
B	During a flooding event.
C	Collapse of sediments from overbanks.
D	Gravel deposits through biological activities in the surrounding area.

Question 31

Large scale sandy deposits, important to the petroleum industry, are most likely to be found within which of the following river system sub-environments? (ID-SSM2-75)

A	Crevasse Splays
B	Levees
C	Floodplains
D	Channels

Question 32

Ogoki River hydro power dam in Ontario will result in___. (ID-SSM2-16)

A	fall in global base level.
B	fall in local base level.
C	rise in local base level.
D	rise in global base level.

Question 33

Please the following items from bottom to top (aka, A to E) according to ideal Bouma sequence. (ID-SSM2-57)

1. normally graded bed (fining upwards)
2. silt and mud
3. ripples
4. lamination
5. fine lamination

A	3 (bottom) --> 4 --> 1 --> 2 --> 5 (top)
B	1 (bottom) --> 4 --> 3 --> 5 --> 2 (top)
C	2 (bottom) --> 4 --> 3 --> 5 --> 1 (top)
D	1 (bottom) --> 4 --> 5 --> 3 --> 2 (top)

Question 33 Explanation:

more info-external link

Question 34

What is the primary process that derive formation of rhizocretions? (ID-SSM2-88)

A	Rise of water table
B	Physical weathering
C	Gravity and pressure due to overburden sediment load
D	Chemical weathering
E	Fall of water table

Question 35

What are Tufa or travertine? (ID-SSM2-93)

A	Inorganic precipitate of calcium carbonate.
B	A type of sediment that was undergoing transition to coal from peat.
C	Clastic lake margin deposits.
D	Organic precipitate of calcium carbonate.
E	Deep lake facies characterized by high concentrations of oncoids.

Question 36

Chert is mostly composed of which of the following mineral? (ID-SSM2-72)

A	Halite
B	Quartz
C	Apatite
D	Glass
E	Epsomite

Question 37

______ is an important source of industrial potash that occurs associated with halite. (ID-SSM2-71)

A	Selenite
B	Apatite
C	Sylvite
D	Epsomite
E	Gypsum

Question 38

When working on a scientific project,__A__ comes before__B__. (ID-SSM2-12)

A	A. alcohol B. dirty girls
B	A. observations B. analysis
C	A. interpretations B. observations
D	A. observations B. interpretations
E	A. analysis B. observations

Question 39

What is the difference between Calcite and Aragonite? (ID-SSM2-61)

A	Calcite has a trigonal crystal form, aragonite has an orthorhombic crystal form.
B	Calcite is calcium carbonate, CaCO₃ while aragonite is calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO₃)₂.
C	Calcite is calcium carbonate, CaCO₃ while aragonite is iron carbonate, FeCO₃.
D	Calcite has a different chemical properties than aragonite because calcite has an extra calcium ion.
E	Calcite is a carbonate mineral while aragonite is a silicate mineral.

Question 40

An oxbow lake most likely to be formed... (ID-SSM2-32)

A	near a braided river.
B	near a meandering river.
C	in a high density flow dominated stream.
D	in the anastomosing river.
E	in a braided river.

Question 41

Which of the following is associated with lake turbidite deposits? (ID-SSM2-90)

A	Epilimnion waters
B	Sediment load dominated by fine grains
C	Oxic environment
D	Hypolimnion waters
E	Thermocline waters

Question 41 Explanation:

Hypolimnion = cold water and it is below the thermocline. It is also anoxic.

Question 42

According to Dunham Classification, this type of rock has an extensive organic framework. (ID-SSM2-67)

A	Boundstone
B	Carbonate mudstone
C	Grainstone
D	Wackestone
E	Rudstone

Question 42 Explanation:

Some instructors do not require students to know this.

Question 43

What would you always expect to find in an alluvial fan? (ID-SSM2-18)

A	Distributaries
B	Tributaries
C	Overbanks
D	Avulsion
E	Extinct channels.

Question 44

Majority of modern day seawater is concentrated with which of the following ion? (ID-SSM2-69)

A	Magnesium
B	Sodium
C	Calcium
D	Potassium
E	Chlorine

Question 45

In general, rivers are stable systems. (ID-SSM2-54)

A	False
B	True

Question 46

If you have to identify the single most cause(while it is a combination of many) of alluvial fans formation, it would be... (ID-SSM2-17)

A	the gain of energy(velocity) of the load bearing currents.
B	the change in elevation.
C	the loss of energy(velocity) of the load bearing currents.
D	the change in base level.

Question 46 Explanation:

This is a tricky question... While several answers above can be right, the fundamental cause is the velocity change which in trigger density change causing deposition.

Question 47

Typically what is the radius of debris flow alluvial fans? (ID-SSM2-82)

A	1 km to tens of kilometers.
B	Less than 20 meters.
C	100s of meters to a few kilometers.
D	One to ten kilometers.
E	Hundreds of thousands of kilometers.

Question 47 Explanation:

As a good Geologist, you should know the typical shapes and sizes for different types of alluvial fans. This will help identify different environments and improve geological interpretations.

Question 48

Which direction a facies sequences can propagate? (ID-SSM2-29)

A	vertically upwards
B	vertically downwards
C	vertically and laterally
D	laterally left or right

Question 49

Which of the following statement is true about facies and/or beds? (ID-SSM2-10)

A	A rock or lithologic unit that has consistent properties is known as a facies.
B	Facies only form in complex geologic environments.
C	Bed are vertical planer features resulted from recent geologic activities.
D	Beds are composed of several facies.

Question 50

On the following diagram, the type of delta that would formed in section C is__I__ and these deltas become__II__. (ID-SSM2-41)

A	I. tidal dominated II. flood plains
B	I. tidal dominated II. estuary
C	I. wave dominated II. estuary
D	I. tidal dominated II. flood plains

Question 50 Explanation:

Estuary is an area which mixing of salt and fresh water can occur as a direct result of low slope and reverse(landwards) ocean tides.

Question 51

On the following diagram, the type of delta that would formed in section B is.... (ID-SSM2-39)

A	alluvial dominated.
B	wave dominated.
C	fluvial dominated.
D	tidal dominated.

Question 52

On the following diagram, the type of delta that would formed at point 3 (blue) can be described as... (ID-SSM2-43)

A	tidal energy based delta (smear)
B	wave energy based delta (cupcake)
C	wave energy based delta (smear)
D	tidal energy based delta (bird's foot)

Question 53

The process of compaction will result in... (choose the most suitable) (ID-SSM2-09)

A	precipitation of minerals into the pore spaces reducing the porosity.
B	increase in volume as a direct result of increase in pressure due to burial.
C	reduce porosity causing beds to be thinner and dehydrated.
D	creates facies due to increase in temperature and pressure.

Question 53 Explanation:

Few answers above can be considered as a right answers, but only one choice can be considered by technical definition.

Question 54

Imbricated clasts often can be found in this type of system. (ID-SSM2-45)

A	gravel braided system.
B	tidal energy delta system.
C	sandy braided system.
D	wave energy delta system.

Question 55

When you move from bottom to top in ideal turbidite Bouma sequence (A -> E), the flow velocity will... (ID-SSM2-03)

A	increase
B	decrease
C	remain consent
D	fluctuate between high and low
E	None of the answers are correct because it could either increase or decrease depending on the environment.

Question 56

What is anhydrite? (ID-SSM2-70)

A	It is the fibrous mineral version of halite.
B	It is a type of precipitate occurs between grains of iron rich sediments.
C	It is a type of quartz that lacks water.
D	It is the dehydrated and fibrous version of sylvite.
E	It is the dehydrated version of gypsum.

Question 57

Dedolomitisation result in which of the following? (ID-SSM2-76)

A	Calcium sulphate enrichment of groundwater.
B	Replacement of dolomite by anhydrites.
C	Decrease in the normal level of water table.
D	Increase the salinity of the groundwater.
E	Increase in the normal level of water table.

Question 58

Walther's law state... (ID-SSM2-30)

A	high energy currents can flow upstream, if the total energy of the current is higher than the gravitational gradient.
B	the vertical succession of facies reflects lateral changes in environment.
C	only beds with above 6 cm in thickness can be consider as a facies.
D	rise in sea level cause regression.

Question 58 Explanation:

Another way to state this would be; only those facies that were deposited side-by-side may be juxtaposed vertically.

Question 59

How large is the lateral width of a crevasse splay(generally)? (ID-SSM2-37)

A	10 of cms
B	1000s of Kms
C	100s of Kms
D	It can varies widely between 10 of cms to 1000s of Kms depend on the environment.
E	100s of ms

Question 60

A fan delta is a depositional feature that is formed where an alluvial fan develops directly in a body of standing water(lake/ocean) as a result of streams originating from a steep environment. (ID-SSM2-23)

A	False
B	True

Question 61

A geological formation can have several lithofacies. (ID-SSM2-28)

A	False
B	True

Question 62

Choose all the correct statements. (more than one answer) (ID-SSM2-49)

A	imbricated clasts can be observed om gravel braided system.
B	ε cross beds form in the point bar side of a meandering river.
C	point bar is an area of high erosion.
D	anastomosing rivers are avulsion dominated rivers.
E	braided rivers are part of alluvial systems.

Question 63

Inconsistent change in water level is the the primary driving force for meandering rivers. (ID-SSM2-35)

A	False
B	True

Question 63 Explanation:

Centrifugal force(F_c) is the the primary driving force for meandering rivers. While gravity also play a role, it is minor compared to F_c because the low-slope.

Question 64

Where can a sheetflood (sheet erosion) can be observed? (ID-SSM2-26)

A	poorly-sorted load dominated currents
B	debris flow dominated fans
C	all alluvial fans
D	gradual erosional environments such as a beach/river bed.
E	stream-flow dominated fans

Question 65

Alluvial fan deposits are typically associated with ______ facies and rivers deposits are typically associated with ______ facies. (ID-SSM2-83)

A	ephemeral lake , estuarine
B	estuarine , sheet flood
C	sheet flood , aeolian dunes
D	delta , ephemeral lake

Question 66

What is Eustasy? (ID-SSM2-31)

A	It is the term given to local sea level.
B	It is the term given to local base level of a fluvial system.
C	It is a drug that most geologists take to get high in the woods.
D	It is the term given to absolute sea level.

Question 67

How is Alizarin Red-S staining agent is used to identify dolomite? (ID-SSM2-62)

A	It will stain dolomite red but will not stain the other carbonates.
B	It will not stain dolomite but colours the other carbonates pink.
C	It will increase the relief by staining the dolomite grain boundaries.
D	It will react with dolomite and stain it in green.

Question 68

Where would you most likely to find palustrine environments? (ID-SSM2-92)

A	At the toe of wave dominated deltas with large scale muddy deposits.
B	Lake margins with very gentle slopes.
C	At the mouth of rivers that carry large sediment load.
D	Within deep channels in a braided river system.
E	Areas of mixing salt water with fresh water.

Question 69

What type of flow is turbidity flow? (ID-SSM2-01)

A	Sediment Gravity Flow
B	Debris Flow
C	Liquified Flow
D	Density Flow

Question 70

What is the most common type of cements in nature? (ID-SSM2-07)

A	calcite and silica
B	pyrite and calcite
C	silica and pyrite
D	silica and iron

Question 71

Turbidity flows result in deposits known as turbidites. In the ideal turbidite sequence, where would you expect to find ripples? (ID-SSM2-02)

A	Section B; the second one from the bottom.
B	Section A; the first one from the bottom.
C	Section C; the third one from the bottom.
D	Section D; the fourth one from the bottom.
E	Section E; the fifth one from the bottom.

Question 72

Turbidity flows can most likely occur in what kind of environment? (ID-SSM2-08)

A	this question is stupid
B	rivers with low sediment load
C	muddy rivers enter the lake
D	areas with high friction

Question 73

It is impossible to have a base level lower than the sea level. (ID-SSM2-14)

A	True
B	False

Question 73 Explanation:

Because the base level is actually the LOCAL lowest point in a river/lake. Imagine if you have a river 100s of km long and base level in can be lower than sea level in some area, but as long as gradient of the overall slope is downwards, the water will flow.

Question 74

Which of the following describes Banded Iron Formations or BIFs? (ID-SSM2-74)

A	BIFs forms in modern environment, but at much smaller scale and rate.
B	Typically thin iron rich beds are composed of haematite rich sediments.
C	Iron within BIFs must have been oxidized before they were deposited as bands of thin beds.
D	BIFs most likely formed in deep basins with very high iron rich organic sediment influx.

Question 75

What is the most common type of flow that contributes to the creation of alluvial fans? (ID-SSM2-22)

A	density flows
B	sediment-gravity flows
C	oscillatory flows
D	diagenesis flow

Question 76

Which of the following characteristic of lake deposit is incorrect? (ID-SSM2-95)

A	Dominated by sandstone, mudstone, fine-grained limestones and evaporites lithologies.
B	Typically sands are moderately well sorted.
C	Very high degree of palaeocurrents preservation with extensive paleocurrent networks.
D	Often wave ripples and very fine parallel lamination are observed.
E	Facies an be best described as commonly occur with fluvial deposits, evaporites and associated with aeolian facies.

Question 76 Explanation:

The lake environments are relatively clam. Hence, development of palaeocurrents is very minimal and in most cases insignificant. While clam waters are good for preservation of sedimentary structures, palaeocurrents are not usually observed in lake type settings.

Question 77

A Geologist noticed that Bouma sequence in the area only indicate deposition of lower units (ex A and B only). He/she is most likely at the... (ID-SSM2-04)

A	beginning of the flow.
B	middle of the flow.
C	end of flow.

Question 78

Which of the following is the best possible location for a oil (petroleum) exploration? (ID-SSM2-73)

A	Younger/modern river bed
B	Older alluvial fan
C	Younger/modern point bar
D	Older point bar
E	Older oxbow lake

Question 79

What type of environment would you expect to find this type of facies? (ID-SSM2-46)

A	meandering river
B	braided river
C	tidal dominated delta
D	fluvial dominated delta
E	alluvial fan
F	wave dominated delta

Question 80

Which of the following is a characteristic of wave dominated delta? (ID-SSM2-84)

A	Large distributary channels developed well into the distal regions.
B	Lobe shaped bay fill towards the sea with a shape like a "bird's foot".
C	Flat or straight distal edge.
D	Increase in sediment accumulation towards the distal edge due to sandy deposits.

Question 81

According the the classification of trace fossils based on interpretation of the activity of organism, which of the following is typically associated with crawling, gracing and feeding traces? (ID-SSM2-96)

A	Dominichnia
B	Repichinia
C	Cubichina
D	Passichnia
E	Fodinichina

Question 82

Pedogenesis is caused by which of the following processes within sediments? (ID-SSM2-86)

A	Chemical and nuclear
B	Chemical and mechanical
C	Physical, chemical and biological
D	Chemical and biological
E	Physical and chemical

Question 83

Which of the following describe oncoids? (ID-SSM2-66)

A	Layers bound by cyanobacteria found as clasts within carbonate sediments.
B	Bodies of calcium carbonate less than 2mm in diameter and form by the precipitation of calcium carbonate.
C	Fragments of calcium carbonate material that has been partly lithified.
D	Planktonic yellowgreen algae that are extremely important contributors to marine sediments.
E	Very fine grained material that precipitate by the breakdown of skeletal fragments.

Question 84

Where would you expect braided rivers to form? (ID-SSM2-79)

A	Between meandering section and the upstream of rivers with high sediment load.
B	At low gradient slopes near the mouth of the river with high sediment load.
C	Between meandering section and the upstream of rivers with low sediment load.
D	At low gradient slopes near the mouth of the river with low sediment load.

Question 85

On the following diagram, the type of delta that would formed in section A is.... (ID-SSM2-40)

A	alluvial dominated.
B	wave dominated.
C	tidal dominated.
D	fluvial dominated.

Question 86

Which of the following would increase the sediment accommodation space? (ID-SSM2-53)

A	uplift
B	subsidence
C	increase in sediment load Hint: this will decrease the accommodation space due to higher rate of sed accumulation.
D	increase in elevation

Question 87

Which of the following describe ooids? (ID-SSM2-65)

A	Planktonic yellowgreen algae that are extremely important contributors to marine sediments.
B	Bodies of calcium carbonate less than 2mm in diameter and form by the precipitation of calcium carbonate.
C	Layers bound by cyanobacteria found as clasts within carbonate sediments.
D	Fragments of calcium carbonate material that has been partly lithified.
E	Very fine grained material that precipitate by the breakdown of skeletal fragments.

Question 88

Where can you find the apex of the alluvial fan? (ID-SSM2-19)

A	In the most expanded area.
B	Close to the canyon.
C	Close to an extinct channel.
D	Close to the lowest base level.

Question 88 Explanation:

Apex is the first point in which the flow expansion occur as a result of widening the area of flow.

Question 89

Your job title is "Master of Exploitation of Natural Resources". If you were to search for hydro-carbons, which would be the best place to start(with the lowest cost to the company)? (ID-SSM2-27)

A	on a river bed
B	an oxbow lake
C	on a large vegetated point bar
D	an alluvial fan

Question 89 Explanation:

An oxbow lake is the best for coal formation. In general it takes less resources(both human and technological) to extract coal from an oxbow lake than extract oil from an alluvial fan. This question is testing your IQ. 🙂

Question 90

Multiple interconnected channels are most likely to form within.... (ID-SSM2-78)

A	overbanks of lakes.
B	meandering rivers.
C	underwater fluvial deposits.
D	anastomosing rivers.

Question 91

Which of the following is indicative of phreatic zone sediments? (ID-SSM2-77)

A	Meniscus cements between grains.
B	Saturated zones of calcite within the matrix.
C	Isopachous cement between grains.
D	Presence of globular masses of digenetic minerals within matrix.
E	Complete dolomitisation.

Question 92

On a sandy braided river system, the slip face would form on transverse bars on the.... (ID-SSM2-55)

A	downstream side.
B	left side in N. America and right side in Australia.
C	left and right side, parallel to the flow.
D	right side in N. America and left side in Australia.
E	upstream side.

Question 93

When moving from A to B on the following flow chart (with respect to deltas), (ID-SSM2-52)

(A) Channels --> Levees --> Crevasse splay --> Floodplain (B)

A	the grain size decreases.
B	the density increases.
C	the density decreases.
D	the bioturbation decreases.
E	the grain size increases.

Question 94

What can be interpreted from presence of histosols in a core sample? (ID-SSM2-87)

A	The area must have been enriched in organic matter.
B	This particular core section represents a channel bar deposit.
C	The area must have been arid.
D	This particular core section must have been taken from the distal edge of a weave dominated delta deposit.
E	The area must have been concentrated with poorly developed soil.

Question 95

What is cementation? (ID-SSM2-06)

A	Addition of chemicals from outside of the strata into the pore spaces reducing the porosity.
B	Addition of chemicals from outside of the strata into the pore spaces increasing the porosity.
C	Precipitation of minerals into the pore spaces reducing the porosity.
D	Precipitation of minerals into the pore spaces increasing the porosity.

Question 96

Where do you expect the highest pressure on a meandering system? (ID-SSM2-51)

A	Near the outer cut bank. Hint: aka outer bank
B	Shallowest part of the river.
C	Near the point bar.
D	Floodplains on both sides of the river.

Question 96 Explanation:

This pressure difference result in helicoidal flow which cause erosion on the cut bank(aka outer bank) of the meandering system.

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Credits: Based on the excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Melissa Giovanni during Fall 2012. This version has been updated on between January and February 2016.
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My personal advice: Since the exams are written, if you score less than 90% on the following MC questions, seriously reconsider your study strategies for this class.

Sanuja Senanayake

Geology 381 Midterm II-University of Calgary

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Geology (GLGY 381-UCAL) Midterm Exam II

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Standing on the shoulders of giants

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Geology (GLGY 381-UCAL) Midterm Exam II

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Standing on the shoulders of giants