Sedimentary Petrology

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The following quiz assumes that you have the background knowledge from GLGY 491. For additional questions specific to organisms, please check Geology 491 materials. Most concepts related to 491 class has been omitted from this quiz.

Attention: Application questions

Please be aware that you may come across difficult questions. They are usually not directly from one particular lecture but rather application of principles form several different lectures and labs. In this particular class, you are expected to solve this type of questions for the lecture/lab midterms and the finals. It is not my intention to make this quiz questions hard like a jackass.

Geology (GLGY 461-UCAL) Midterm

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Question 1

The dendroid stromatoporoids such as Amphipora and Euryamphipora are characteristic of what type of carbonate environment?

A	Shallow internal platform biostromes
B	Open-water mud mounds
C	Outer platform margin biostromes
D	Open-water supertidal flats
E	Platform slopes

Question 2

What is the most abundant sedimentary rock by volume in the Earth's crust?

A	Phosphorites
B	Limestones
C	Siliciclastic mudstones
D	Dolostones
E	Halites
F	Siliciclastic sandstones

Question 3

Tabulate and rugose corals are mostly __I__ while scleractinian corals are mostly __II__.

A	A. calcitic B. aragonitic
B	A. siliceous B. calcitic
C	A. colonial B. solitary
D	A. aragonitic B. calcitic
E	A. calcitic B. siliceous

Question 4

Stromatoporoids are found in bulbous colonial forms, which is unique diagnostic property.

A	True
B	False, they were found in laminae, pillars and astrorhizae forms.
C	False, they were found in mounded laminae forms.

Question 5

Is Al₂SiO₅ a mineral?

A	No, it is a synthetic material.
B	No, it is neither a mineral nor a valid chemical formula.
C	Yes it is a mineral.
D	No, it is only the chemical formula for a mineral.

Question 5 Explanation:

It is a valid chemical formula for kyanite. But since no mineralogical info attached to it, therefore it is a valid chemical formula, but may or may not be a mineral.

Question 6

What is diagensis?

A	The process in which constituents were broken down during the burial to form new minerals in the sediment.
B	The process in which constituents were combined to form metamorphic rocks.
C	The process in which rocks were cooled down after a burial process to from new rocks.
D	The process in which constituents were transported from the initial deposition location to a basin for burial.

Question 7

Which organisms would have complex prismatic skeletal microstructure?

A	Brachiopods
B	Echinoderms
C	Foraminifera
D	Molluscs

Question 8

Rocks in which organisms build a rigid framework is known as...

A	Framestones
B	Rudstones
C	Floatstones
D	Bindstones
E	Bafflestones

Question 9

This type of microstructure results in very strong shells.

A	Multiple chemical elements within growth lines
B	Foliation
C	Cross-lamellar
D	Double-crystal system

Question 10

What causes the pinching in-out on crossed lamellar structure?

A	Foliation grade differences during each growth cycle.
B	Overlap of 1-st and 2-nd Order lamellae.
C	Due to their orientation to the cut surface of the thin section.
D	Changes in chemical composition during each growth cycle.
E	Longitudinal deformation due to stresses during sedimentation.

Question 11

Which of the following microstructures can be found only on molluscs shells?

A	Single crystal structures
B	Fascicular fibrous structures
C	Composite prismatic structures
D	Foliated structures

Question 12

Shell growth lines always propagates in the direction of the growth.

A	True
B	False

Question 13

How would you distinguish between the 1^st and 2^nd Order lamellar structures in aragonite based shells?

A	Shape and size; the 1-st Order structures are larger.
B	Pattern of the cross; the 1-st Order structures V-shaped.
C	Pore/void space: the 2-st Order structures have less void space.
D	Shape and size; the 2-st Order structures are larger.
E	Pattern of the cross; the 2-st Order structures V-shaped.
F	Pore/void space: the 1-st Order structures have less void space.

Question 14

In thin section, what feature can be used to positively identify ("for sure") the brachiopod shells/shell fragments?

A	Several layers of foliated or normal prismatic structures.
B	Several layers of complex and composite prismatic structures. Hint: Nope; this is for molluscus ONLY.
C	At lest two layers with 1-st and 2-nd Order aragonitic crossed-lamellar layers. Hint: Nope; this is for molluscus.
D	At least two layers of non-deformed single crystal structures. Hint: Nope; this is mostly for echinoderms.
E	Homogeneous prismatic structures with no deformation. Hint: Nope; this is mostly for forminifera and molluscs.

Question 15

In Geology, what are the variables that contributes to secular variations in carbonate mineralogy?

A	Change in abundance of organisms in a micro-region.
B	Change in the rate at which the burial of sediments occurs.
C	Change in temperature only.
D	Change in temperature and pressure.
E	Change in abundance of chemicals.
F	Change in abundance of organisms in a macro-region.

Question 16

Actinostroma, a laminar stromatoporoid is dominant in which for the following carbonate platform setting?

A	Shallow internal platform biostromes
B	Open-water mud mounds
C	Outer platform margin bioherms
D	Platform slopes
E	Supertidal flats

Question 17

Which of the following statement is false about the Standard Facies Zones model?

A	It was first published in 1975 by Wilson.
B	It is an ideal model of platform environment that will work for most areas of Earth.
C	It is often used for pleobilogical stratigraphic analysis.
D	It dose not consider effects of sea level changes or climate controls.

Question 18

Standard Facies Zones model, each Facies Zone is defined based on condition(s)?

A	Depositional setting, sediment type, biota and common lithofacies.
B	Nature of the tidal flat, lagoonal faces, shallow ramp and deep shelf ramp.
C	Common lithofacies and biological characteristics.
D	Variations in the global biological and lithological diversity.
E	Common lithofacies.

Question 19

__I__ corals are reef builders and __II__ corals are not reef builders.

A	I. Rugose II. Brain
B	I. Brain II. Hexacorallia Hint: Both are reef builders.
C	I. Hexacorallia II. Brain Hint: Both are reef builders.
D	I. Ahermatypic II. Hermatypic
E	I. Hermatypic II. Ahermatypic

Question 20

What is the ideal depth for corals to thrive?

A	Around 200 m
B	Between 150 m and 200 m
C	Between 200 m and 300 m
D	Below 100 m
E	Around 300 m

Question 21

Modern Stromatoporoidea are reef builders.

A	False; they are solitary organisms.
B	True
C	False; they are an extinct class of organisms.

Question 22

What facies zone that developed behind barriers and adjoined to Tidal flat facies?

A	Deep Basin Facies
B	Shallow Ramp Facies
C	Deep Shelf Facies
D	Deep Tidal Flat Facies
E	Lagoonal Facies

Question 23

Modern peloids are common in...

A	high energy slope environments.
B	low energy reef/ramp environments.
C	low energy shallow tidal environments.
D	high energy deep tidal environments.

Question 24

This type of peloids originated from disintegration of calcareous algae.

A	Alteration of grains
B	In-situ formation
C	Reworked lithofied clasts
D	Biotic

Question 25

Which of the following can be used as an identifier for peloidal rocks primarily composed of cyanobacteria?

A	Large pour spaces caused by entrapment of gaseous substance.
B	Presence of destructive micritization.
C	Large volume of elongated peloids.
D	Large volume of spherical/sub-spherical shaped peloids.
E	Presence of bio-chemicals and organic matter.

Question 26

The abundance of peloidal rocks and sediments in an area is an indication of....

A	high global biological activities due to abundance in nutrients. Hint: Think again; usually "abundance of peloidal rocks" found in specific areas in specific geologic time.
B	high local biological activities due to abundance in nutrients.
C	very high energy environment.
D	very low energy environment.
E	Presence of biotic peloids as opposed to other types.

Question 27

In a thin section, if the size and shape of pelolids are almost the same (homogenous), then it is most likely originated from biotic matters.

A	False; because it is an indication of reworked lithofied clasts of carbonates origin.
B	False; because it is an indication of altered grains forming micritized peloids.
C	True
D	False; because it is an indication of in-situ formations.

Question 28

Biochemical dissolution by microbes can be best described as...

A	microborings.
B	constructive micritization.
C	cyanobacterial destruction.
D	destructive micritization.

Question 29

What are superficial ooids?

A	Ooids with very thick cortex.
B	Thin cortex very thin cortex and 1-3 counted layers.
C	Ooids with very thin cortex.
D	Thin cortex very thick cortex and innumerable layers.
E	Thin cortex very thin cortex and 2-4 counted layers.

Question 30

In order for ooids to from, which of the following conditions must be true?

A	Bottom agitation, presence of nuclei and grain degradation.
B	Presence of nuclei and undersaturated water with respect to calcite.
C	Usually have a nuclei.
D	Presence of nuclei and supersaturated water with respect to calcite.

Question 31

According to the study of ooid shoals in Bahamas, the grains are well sorted...

A	along the troughs of parabolic bars.
B	at the points of flow convergence.
C	at the peak of the crest (peak) of the dunes.
D	at the asymmetric surfaces.
E	at the trough of the dunes.

Question 32

Which of the statements are correct about algae?

A	Green algae are adapted to shallow water environments and they absorbs yellow light.
B	Green algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs blue light.
C	Red algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs red light.
D	Blue algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs blue light.
E	Red algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs blue light.
F	Blue algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs red light.
G	Green algae are adapted to deeper water environments and they absorbs red light.

Question 33

Green algae are...

A	....exclusive to marine water environments.
B	...most abundant in shallow, protected environments.
C	...were exclusive to fresh water environments during Carboniferous and modern day they are exclusive to marine water environments.
D	...exclusive to fresh water environments.
E	...adapted to deep water environments.

Question 34

What type of algae would thrive in high turbidity waters?

A	Green
B	Red
C	All types (Green, Blue and Red)
D	Blue

Question 34 Explanation:

This is an application of knowledge type question. Ask yourself; "What type requires the least amount of sunlight?".

Question 35

Which of the following statements are false about Calcareous algae?

A	They can be in several depositional settings such as marine, fresh-brackish water ponds, tidal flats and shallow sandy bottoms.
B	Some of them are capable of secreting or depositing carbonate around their body.
C	They are very important for economic resources such as diamond and gold ores.
D	This group includes both benthic and planktonic organisms that have the ability to photosynthesize.
E	They are important sediment produces and reef builders.

Question 35 Explanation:

Diamond ores are associated with kimberlite pipes not organic depositions.

Question 36

Which phylum the Codiaceae family belongs to?

A	Chrysophyta
B	Chlorophyta
C	Rhodophyta
D	Cynaophyta

Question 37

What type of organisms would you expect to find in the Mariana Trench?

A	Blue algae
B	Red algae
C	Yellow algae
D	Green algae

Question 37 Explanation:

Low light conditions favours red algae. While not much research as been done into this, it is suggested by Geologists, red algae are probably the most common organisms in deep waters.

Question 38

What is the ideal environment for bule-green stromatolites?

A	Tidal flats
B	Open marine bay shelf lagoons
C	Open marines
D	Reef fronts
E	Restricted marine bays and lagoons

Question 39

The central zone of marine green algae is known as __I__ and the peripheral zone known as __II__.

A	I. central core II. outer core
B	I. spinal core II. external core
C	I. medulla II. cortex
D	I. cortex II. medulla

Question 40

During which time period Stromatolites were most abundant?

A	Cretaceous
B	Ediacaran
C	Carboniferous
D	Paleozoic
E	Cenozoic

Question 41

The growth of stromatolites were highly depended on what factor(s)?

A	Sunlight and high energy water currents
B	Sunlight
C	Sunlight and availability of calcareous fluids
D	High energy water currents
E	Sunlight and moisture

Question 42

Which of the following statements are true about marine diagenesis?

A	CCD or carbon compensation depth is the depth in which the calcite start to become unstable. Hint: Nope; that would be Lysoclines
B	The best cementation processes occurs at shallow waters such as at the shelf or slopes.
C	Large portion of the mixing zone is in the marine diagenetic area.
D	The partial pressure of CO2 is very high at shallow depths; leads to good cementation.
E	Sediments could undergo marine diagenesis as long as water is present.

Question 43

__I__ are adapted to shallow waters while __II_ are adapted to deeper waters.

A	I. Green II. red
B	I. Red II. green
C	I. Blue II. green
D	I. Yellow II. green

Question 44

Stromatoporoids can be differentiated from Stromatolites because Stromatoporoids have...

A	zoecias.
B	pillars.
C	lamination.
D	alternating sediment-organic matter layers.
E	layering.

Question 45

Stromatolites are deposits of cyanobacteria.

A	True
B	False

Question 45 Explanation:

They are deposited from cyanobacteria, but not the organism itself.

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Credits: Based on the excellent class notes provided by, Dr. Rudi Meyer during Winter 2014.
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Sanuja Senanayake

Geology 461-University of Calgary

Sedimentary Petrology

Go to: Final Exam

Geology (GLGY 461-UCAL) Midterm

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Sedimentary Petrology

Go to: Final Exam

Geology (GLGY 461-UCAL) Midterm

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Standing on the shoulders of giants