Quiz 11: Geologic Time and Change
Geology/Geography/Oceanography/Atmospheric Sciences
Q 1Q 1
Which of the following is incorrectly matched?
A)plate tectonics - endogenic processes
B)volcanism - endogenic processes
C)radioactive decay heat - exogenic process
D)weathering - exogenic process
E)erosion - exogenic process
Free
Multiple Choice
C
Q 2Q 2
Which of the following is an endogenic process?
A)weathering
B)stream deposition
C)volcanism
D)glacial erosion
E)wind erosion
Free
Multiple Choice
C
Q 3Q 3
Which of the following is an exogenic process?
A)earthquakes
B)volcanism
C)flows of heat and materials in the mantle
D)weathering
E)radioactive decay
Free
Multiple Choice
D
Q 4Q 4
The subfield of geography and geology concerned with the study of the origins,evolutions,form,and spatial distribution of the Earth's landforms is
A)geophysics.
B)lithology.
C)geomorphology.
D)pedology.
E)edaphology.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 5Q 5
Which is the correct order of geologic time spans,from largest to smallest?
A)eon - era - period - epoch
B)epoch - period - era - eon
C)era -eon -epoch - period
D)epoch - era - period - eon
E)eon - epoch - period - era
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 6Q 6
Which of the following is correct in regards to the geologic time scale?
A)An epoch is composed of one or more periods.
B)The largest defined unit is an eon or,according to some,a supereon.
C)An era is the smallest unit of geologic time.
D)Every period is composed of 2 epochs.
E)Boundaries between geologic time spans are based on equal interval divisions.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 7Q 7
Boundaries between intervals of the geological time scale are determined by
A)dividing the time range of the interval by the number desired subdivisions,thereby creating equal intervals between the divisions.
B)major events in the Earth's history,such as major extinctions.
C)using a quantile method whereby the number of years in each subdivision is determined by dividing the number of years by the desired number of classes.
D)climatic periods based on paleoclimatological reconstructions.
E)historical misunderstandings based on the principle of uniformitarianism;they remain as relicts of this bygone scientific period.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 8Q 8
Geologic time scale showing highlights of Earth's history.(a)Dates appear in m.y.a.(millions of years ago). Which of the following is correct regarding the geologic time scale?
A)The Jurassic period occurred during the Paleozoic era.
B)Over 87 percent of Earth's history has elapsed during the more recent Cenozoic,Mesozoic,and Paleozoic eras.
C)The bulk of Earth's history has occurred during the Precambrian eon.
D)Modern humans live in the Tertiary period.
E)Flowering plants emerged in the Precambrian.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 9Q 9
Geologic time scale showing highlights of Earth's history.(a)Dates appear in m.y.a.(millions of years ago). The Precambrian Eon encompasses what percentage of Earth's total history?
A)0.04 %
B)5%
C)54.1%
D)72.4%
E)88.3%
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 10Q 10
The most recent epoch in the geologic time scale is the ,though numerous scientists agree we have entered a new epoch called the .
A)Pleistocene;Holocene
B)Pliocene;Pleistocene
C)Miocene;Pliocene
D)Oligocene;Miocene
E)Holocene;Anthropocene
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 11Q 11
The principle that the same physical processes currently active in the environment were operating throughout Earth's history is known as
A)uniformitarianism.
B)catastrophism.
C)parallelism.
D)stasis.
E)ubiquity.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 12Q 12
Uniformitarianism assumes that
A)Earth is quite young and is shaped by dramatic events.
B)catastrophic episodes have regularly occurred.
C)the same physical processes we see today are a key to understanding the processes that have been operating throughout geologic time.
D)mountains,plains,and canyons formed by catastrophic events.
E)much of Earth history is ultimately unknowable and we must therefore only concentrate on those parts that have been documented by written historical accounts.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 13Q 13
Which of the following is an example of the principle of uniformitarianism?
A)It is not possible to know how Earth processes have changed over time;therefore,it is not possible to deduce how Earth's ancient landforms evolved.
B)The processes by which streams carve valleys at present are the same as those that carved valleys 500 million years ago.
C)Catastrophic events,such as major landslides,earthquakes,and volcanic episodes,are the primary drivers of geomorphological change.
D)The Earth's geological history is mostly uniform and homogenous,existing now as it mostly always has with the exception of minor recent changes.
E)Prior to written history,knowledge of Earth history is largely unknowable.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 14Q 14
When geologists conclude that the Grand Canyon sequence of rocks was formed through hundreds of millions of years of deposition,mountain building,and erosion,they are basing this conclusion on the principle of which states that .
A)catastrophism;most rock formations were created as a result of supernatural processes
B)catastrophism;a single,large flood was responsible for the creation of the rock sequence
C)uniformitarianism;all geologic processes take immense amounts of time to occur and always occur at the same rate
D)uniformitarianism;the geologic processes that operated in the past are the same as those that operate today,and they occurred in accordance with the same laws of nature that are operating today
E)stasis;the Grand Canyon today is as it has always been,never changing
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 15Q 15
In terms of dating of specific rocks,structures,or landscapes,relative age refers to
A)the age of geological features based on radiometric dating techniques.
B)the approximate age of geological features based on the period or epoch in which they occurred.For instance,noting a feature is from the Cretaceous.
C)the inability to ascertain exact age through isotopic methods and the necessity to provide a date range for such features.
D)the age of one feature with respect to another within a sequence of events and deduced from the positions of rock strata above and below one another.
E)an educated guess of the rocks age based on its crystalline structure.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 16Q 16
In terms of dating of specific rocks,structures,or landscapes,absolute age refers to
A)the age of geological features based on radiometric dating techniques.
B)the approximate age of geological features based on the period or epoch in which they occurred.For instance,noting a feature is from the Cretaceous.
C)a range of numeric values in which features were likely formed and based on several lines of evidence,such as paleoclimatic and paleobotanical reconstructions.
D)the age of one feature with respect to another within a sequence of events and deduced from the positions of rock strata above and below one another.
E)historical records from the earliest modern humans that recorded when the rocks and structures were formed.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 17Q 17
Which of the following is an example of an age-relationship based on relative dating?
A)The Tonto Group in the Grand Canyon formed during the Paleozoic era.
B)The Grand Canyon's Vishnu Schist is from the Precambrian.
C)The Coconino Sandstone of the Grand Canyon is younger than the Hermit Shale.
D)Clovis points have been dated at 11,000 years old in North America.
E)Fossil records show flowering plants developed during the Cretaceous.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 18Q 18
The scientific study of rock strata (layers)is known as and based on the principle of .
A)stratigraphy;superposition
B)geomorphology;uniformitarianism
C)Paleontology;catastrophism
D)Paleogeography;plate tectonics
E)sedimentology;deposition
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 19Q 19
Which of the following is not an example of an age-relationship based on absolute dating?
A)The oldest known rocks on Earth are 3.96 billion years old.
B)The Vishnu schist at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is 2 billion years old.
C)The dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago.
D)The Coconino formation in the Grand Canyon is older than the Kaibab formation.
E)Fossil records show flowering plants developed during the Cretaceous.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 20Q 20
Scientists have direct evidence of the Earth's structure to
A)the inner core.
B)the upper mantle (~250 km (155 mi)).
C)about 12 km (7.6 mi)from the surface.
D)15 km (9.3 mi)from the surface,based on the deepest well shaft.
E)the Gutenberg discontinuity.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 21Q 21
Knowledge of Earth's interior is mostly derived from
A)direct sampling of the interior using deep-test wells.
B)work in Earth's deepest caverns and caves.
C)indirect evidence involving the analysis of seismic waves.
D)historic and prehistoric records.
E)analysis of exposed materials from geologic uplifting events and volcanic eruptions.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 22Q 22
The fact that Earth's interior is sorted into layers indicates that
A)the process of formation from a nebula (by the slamming together of material and planetesimals that stuck together on impact)produces nice,neat layers.
B)Earth was once in a molten state,during which materials became sorted based on density.
C)the rotation of the early Earth acted like a centrifuge which separated materials based on weight.
D)the planet was formed due to successive bombardments of cosmic debris.
E)nothing can be inferred about such a perplexing level of organization.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 23Q 23
Earth's interior is layered because
A)centrifugal force separated out the materials based on weight as the Earth solidified.
B)materials became sorted based on density as the Earth solidified.
C)materials became sorted based on electromagnetic fields as the Earth solidified.
D)the planet was formed due to successive bombardments of cosmic debris.
E)successive subduction events at convergent plate boundaries forcing earthen materials downward.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 24Q 24
Which of the following can occur when seismic waves encounter a layer in Earth's interior?
A)reflection and/or refraction,only
B)absorption,only
C)change in speed,only
D)reflection,refraction,absorption,and change in speed
E)seismic waves cannot penetrate below the crust of Earth
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 25Q 25
Which of the following gives the correct sequence of layers in Earth,from the surface to the center?
A)crust,inner core,mantle,outer core
B)inner core,outer core,mantle,crust
C)mantle,crust,inner core,outer core
D)crust,mantle,outer core,inner core
E)outer core,inner core,crust,mantle
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 26Q 26
The temperature of Earth's interior
A)increases with depth so the hottest temperatures are found within Earth's core.
B)decreases with depth so the hottest temperatures are found within Earth's crust.
C)decreases in the crust,increases in the mantle,decreases in the outer core,and increases in the inner core.
D)increases in the crust,decreases in the mantle,increases in the outer core,and decreases in the inner core.
E)is variable throughout and dependent on the location of and distance from hot spots.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 27Q 27
The heat from is the energy that drives plate tectonics.
A)tidal motion
B)incoming solar radiation
C)Earth's extremely hot interior
D)conducted surface thermal radiation
E)friction along plate boundaries
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 28Q 28
Which of the following statements about Earth's core is not correct?
A)It is composed primarily of iron.
B)The inner core is believed to be liquid and the outer core solid.
C)Scientists think the inner core formed before the outer core.
D)A third of the Earth's entire mass,but only a sixth of its volume lies in its core.
E)The inner core,despite being well above melting temperature,remains solid due to tremendous pressure of overlying materials.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 29Q 29
The is liquid and is responsible for producing Earth's magnetic field.
A)inner core
B)outer core
C)lower mantle
D)asthenosphere
E)Mohorovičić discontinuity
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 30Q 30
The uneven transition zone from the outer core to the mantle is known as the discontinuity.
A)Gutenberg
B)Mohorovičić
C)asthenosphere
D)lithosphere
E)crustal
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 31Q 31
The majority of the Earth's volume is within the
A)crust.
B)inner core.
C)mantle.
D)outer core.
E)Mohorovičić discontinuity.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 32Q 32
Together,the lower and upper mantles represent about of Earth's total volume.
A)10%
B)25%
C)43%
D)65%
E)80%
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 33Q 33
The transition zone from the upper mantle to the crust is known as the discontinuity.
A)Gutenberg
B)Mohorovičić
C)asthenosphere
D)lithosphere
E)crustal
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 34Q 34
If one were to consider the average thickness of oceanic and continental crust under mountain,the thickness ranges from approximately
A)5 km to 70 km (3 mi.to 43 mi. ).
B)70 km to 250 km (43 mi.to 155 mi. ).
C)250 km to 1000 km (155 mi.to 621 mi. ).
D)1000 km to 2000 km (621 to 1243 mi. ).
E)2000 km to 2900 km (1243 mi to 1802 mi. ).
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 35Q 35
The three most abundant elements in Earth's crust are
A)potassium,sodium,and iron.
B)magnesium,potassium,and oxygen.
C)iron,aluminum,and calcium.
D)oxygen,silicon,and aluminum.
E)magnesium,iron,and calcium
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 36Q 36
Of the elements in the Earth's crust,makes up the most of the Earth's crust by weight.
A)silicon (Si)
B)aluminum (Al)
C)oxygen (O)
D)iron (Fe)
E)calcium (Ca)
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 37Q 37
The percentage of oxygen in the Earth's crust is ,whereas that in the atmosphere is .
A)10%;72%
B)5%;50%
C)27%;27%
D)1.5%;86%
E)46%;21%
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 38Q 38
Which of the following is correct?
A)Continental crust is less dense than oceanic crust and dominated by silica and magnesium.
B)Continental crust is denser than oceanic crust and dominated by silica and aluminum.
C)Oceanic crust is less dense than continental crust and dominated by silica and aluminum.
D)Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust and dominated by silica and magnesium.
E)The density of continental and oceanic crust is roughly even,though the density varies in both time and space.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 39Q 39
The dominant elements in continental crust are
A)silica and aluminum.
B)silica and magnesium.
C)magnesium and aluminum.
D)potassium and iron.
E)calcium and iron
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 40Q 40
The dominant element in oceanic crust are
A)silica and aluminum.
B)silica and magnesium.
C)magnesium and aluminum.
D)potassium and iron.
E)calcium and iron.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 41Q 41
The rigid crust and uppermost mantle are known collectively as the
A)asthenosphere.
B)lithosphere.
C)Moho.
D)Gutenberg discontinuity.
E)rigid layer.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 42Q 42
The plastic layer in the mantle from about 70 to 250 km (43 to 155 mi. )in depth is known as the
A)asthenosphere.
B)lithosphere.
C)Moho.
D)Gutenberg discontinuity.
E)plastic layer.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 43Q 43
At least 90% of Earth's magnetic field is generated by the
A)inner core.
B)outer core.
C)lower mantle.
D)asthenosphere.
E)Mohorovičić discontinuity.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 44Q 44
Earth's magnetic poles
A)are fixed.
B)are migrating approximately 60 km (37 mi. )per year.
C)are perfectly aligned with Earth's axis.
D)are misaligned from Earth's axis by 23.5 degrees.
E)are no different than Earth's geographic poles.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 45Q 45
During the past 4 million years,geomagnetic reversals have occurred.
A)9
B)25
C)50
D)100
E)1,000
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 46Q 46
Geomagnetic reversals
A)are rapid events in which the magnetic field "blinks" off and on again.
B)cause in mass species extinctions due to increased cosmic radiation.
C)are predictable events,occurring at set intervals of 100,000 years.
D)are caused by rapid tectonic movement.
E)involve slow diminishments to low intensity and a rapid regaining of full strength.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 47Q 47
An element or combination of elements that forms an inorganic,natural compound is called a
A)tectonic rock.
B)granite.
C)mineral.
D)molecule.
E)compound.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 48Q 48
Which of the following is not a criterion to be classified as a mineral?
A)inorganic
B)anthropogenic
C)solid
D)definable chemical composition
E)crystalline structure
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 49Q 49
Approximately 95% of the Earth's crust is made up of
A)oxides.
B)phosphates.
C)silicates.
D)carbonates.
E)sulfates.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 50Q 50
A(n)is an assemblage of minerals bound together,a mass composed of a single mineral,a mass of undifferentiated materials,or a mass of solid organic material.
A)compound
B)mineral
C)molecule
D)rock
E)element
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 51Q 51
The three basic rock types are
A)conglomerates,clastics,and evaporative.
B)intrusive,extrusive,and plutonic.
C)laterite,schist,and basalt.
D)sedimentary,metamorphic,and igneous.
E)felsic,mafic,and ultramafic.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 52Q 52
The major rocks of Earth's crust are classified into principal types based on
A)element composition.
B)mineral composition.
C)the manner in which they formed.
D)relative and absolute locations.
E)age and structure.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 53Q 53
The continuous alteration of Earth materials from one rock type to another is known as the
A)geologic cycle.
B)rock cycle.
C)hydrologic cycle.
D)tectonic cycle.
E)biogeochemical cycle.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 54Q 54
What type of rock forms from the solidification of molten material?
A)sedimentary
B)metamorphic
C)igneous
D)clastic
E)foliated
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 55Q 55
Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface is known as ,whereas molten rock on the Earth's surface is called _ .
A)lava;magma
B)intrusive;extrusive
C)magma;lava
D)extrusive;intrusive
E)lava;extrusive
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 56Q 56
Which rock type makes up approximately 90% of the Earth's crust?
A)sedimentary
B)metamorphic
C)igneous
D)clastic
E)foliated
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 57Q 57
Coarser grained igneous rocks tend to be because .
A)intrusive;the faster cooling of magma allows more time for crystals to form
B)extrusive;the faster cooling of lava allows more time for crystals to form
C)extrusive;the slower cooling of lava allows more time for crystals to form
D)either intrusive or extrusive;the slower cooling of magma and lava allows more time for crystals to form
E)intrusive;slower cooling of magma allows more time for crystals to form
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 58Q 58
Finer grained igneous rocks tend to be because _ .
A)intrusive;the faster cooling of magma limits time for crystals to form
B)extrusive;the faster cooling of lava limits time for crystals to form
C)extrusive;the slower cooling of lava limits time for crystals to form
D)either intrusive or extrusive;the faster cooling of magma and lava limits time for crystals to form
E)intrusive;slower cooling of magma limits time for crystals to form
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 59Q 59
Obsidian is an igneous rock with a glassy appearance and minimal crystal growth.What accounts for this?
A)Obsidian is an intrusive igneous rock that cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface,resulting in little crystal growth.
B)Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock that cooled slowly on the Earth surface,resulting in little crystal growth.
C)Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock that cooled very slowly on the Earth surface,resulting in little crystal growth.
D)Obsidian is an intrusive igneous rock that cooled rapidly beneath the Earth's surface,result in little crystal growth.
E)Obsidian has a chemical composition that lends itself to a glassy appearance and minimal crystal growth.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 60Q 60
Felsic igneous rocks,such as granite and rhyolite,
A)have dark coloration.
B)are high in magnesium and iron content.
C)have a high melting temperature.
D)are high in silicate minerals.
E)have a higher density than mafic igneous rocks.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 61Q 61
Mafic igneous rocks,such as gabbro and basalt,
A)are derived from magnesium and iron.
B)have light coloration.
C)are high in silicate minerals.
D)have a low melting temperature.
E)have a low density compared to felsic igneous rocks.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 62Q 62
Which of the following is an example of an intrusive,igneous rock formation?
A)volcano
B)pluton
C)dome
D)lava flow
E)sandstone
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 63Q 63
A batholith forms from
A)intrusive igneous rock.
B)extrusive igneous rock.
C)metamorphic rock.
D)sediment accumulation in a depression.
E)clastic sedimentation.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 64Q 64
Lens-shaped bodies of igneous rock formed as magma intruded between rock layers and forced the overlying strata upward in the shape of a dome.These are known as
A)dikes.
B)laccoliths.
C)sills.
D)batholiths.
E)volcanic necks.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 65Q 65
A is a solidified column of magma that formed in a volcanic vent.
A)dike
B)laccolith
C)sill
D)batholith
E)volcanic neck
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 66Q 66
Small plutons that form parallel to layers of rock that they intrude into are known as
A)dikes.
B)laccoliths.
C)sills.
D)batholiths.
E)volcanic necks
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 67Q 67
What type of rock is derived from the bits and pieces of former rocks?
A)sedimentary
B)metamorphic
C)igneous
D)hydrothermal
E)mafic
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 68Q 68
Sedimentary rock formed from the combined processes of weathering,erosion,transportation,deposition,lithification,and compaction of rock fragments of other rocks are
A)clastic.
B)biochemical.
C)organic.
D)chemical.
E)basaltic.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 69Q 69
Which of the following lists,in proper sequential order,the steps leading to the formation of clastic sedimentary rock?
A)erosion,transportation,deposition,lithification
B)erosion,deposition,transportation,lithification
C)erosion,transportation,deposition,metamorphism
D)precipitation,settling,compaction,lithification
E)sedimentation,precipitation,lithification,erosion
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 70Q 70
If you were driving down the highway and saw mountains composed of layered strata,you could be confident that you were looking at
A)sedimentary rocks.
B)extrusive igneous rocks.
C)a shield volcano.
D)batholiths or laccoliths.
E)intrusive igneous rocks.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 71Q 71
Sedimentary rock formed from dissolved minerals that precipitate out of water solution and build up to form rock are
A)clastic.
B)inorganic.
C)organic.
D)chemical.
E)igneous.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 72Q 72
Limestone formed from the shells of marine organisms is an example of sedimentary rock.
A)clastic
B)biochemical
C)extrusive
D)inorganic
E)contact
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 73Q 73
Travertine,formed from the CaCO3 that has been precipitated from groundwater,is an example of sedimentary rock.
A)clastic
B)contact
C)organic
D)chemical
E)intrusive
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 74Q 74
A rock transformed from any other rock through extreme heat and or pressure is referred to as
A)sedimentary.
B)metamorphic.
C)igneous.
D)ancient.
E)clastic.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 75Q 75
Which of the following is not a process that can cause metamorphism?
A)heating
B)solidification of magma
C)pressure
D)compression and shear
E)heating and pressure together
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 76Q 76
Metamorphism that occurs when rocks are exposed to the pressure and extreme temperature associated with intruding magma is known as
A)contact metamorphism.
B)regional metamorphism.
C)intrusive metamorphism.
D)extrusive metamorphism.
E)clastic metamorphism.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 77Q 77
The occurrence of contact metamorphism would be direct evidence for
A)cementation of sedimentary rock.
B)the local intrusion of magma.
C)regional plate collision.
D)lithification of clastics.
E)rapid cooling of lave above ground.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 78Q 78
Metamorphism that occurs over broad areas when the pressure and associated heat of overlaying rocks or other tectonic forces cause the rocks to undergo deformation is known as
A)contact metamorphism.
B)regional metamorphism.
C)intrusive metamorphism.
D)extrusive metamorphism.
E)clastic metamorphism.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 79Q 79
The continuous alteration of Earth materials from one rock type to another is known as the
A)geologic cycle.
B)rock cycle.
C)hydrologic cycle.
D)tectonic cycle.
E)biogeochemical cycle.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 80Q 80
The drives the exogenic processes of the rock cycle.
A)atmospheric circulation
B)rock cycle
C)hydrologic cycle
D)tectonic cycle
E)biogeographical cycle
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 81Q 81
The drives the endogenic processes of the rock cycle.
A)atmospheric circulation
B)rock cycle
C)hydrologic cycle
D)tectonic cycle
E)biogeographical cycle
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 82Q 82
is the theory that describes the motion of the Earth's lithosphere.
A)Plate tectonics
B)Sea floor spreading
C)Pangaea
D)Metamorphism
E)Orogeny
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 83Q 83
Which of the following is correct regarding continental drift?
A)It occurred about two billion years ago,but no longer occurs today.
B)The term "continental drift" is now called plate tectonics.
C)It does not occur because the crust is brittle.
D)It is an old theory that has been essentially disproven.
E)It wasn't hypothesized until late in the 20th Century.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 84Q 84
Which of the following is correct regarding Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift?
A)It was immediately adopted because of his geological background.
B)Although he provided a mechanism for continental drift,he could not find evidence of it.
C)Though it was later shown to be quackery,it nonetheless spurred innovations in scientific research.
D)He believed that 225 million years ago all the continents were joined together to form Pangaea.
E)It was based largely on conjecture with little basis in observable evidence.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 85Q 85
Which of the following is not supporting evidence of plate tectonics?
A)similar rock assemblages on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean
B)the "jigsaw puzzle" shape of the continents
C)lack of oceanic ridges that would indicate sea floor spreading
D)the fossil record
E)the climate record found in sedimentary rock
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 86Q 86
Pangaea is currently dated at
A)4.6 billion years ago.
B)about half the timespan of Earth's existence.
C)225 million ago.
D)65 million years ago.
E)the beginning of the Holocene.
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 87Q 87
is the coherent theory that describes the motion of the Earth's lithosphere and associated processes and results.
A)Plate tectonics
B)Sea floor spreading
C)Pangaea
D)Metamorphism
E)Contact metamorphism
Free
Multiple Choice
Q 88Q 88
Which of the following are located along the mid-ocean ridges?
A)volcanoes
B)outcrops of granite
C)old oceanic sediments
D)evaporite deposits
E)seamounts
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Multiple Choice
Q 89Q 89
At which of the following locations is new ocean crust being formed?
A)oceanic rift zones
B)along collision zones between two continents
C)along collision zones between two oceanic plates
D)in oceanic trenches
E)subduction zones
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Multiple Choice
Q 90Q 90
Which of the following is correct?
A)The age of the sea floor is the same in most areas of the ocean.
B)The age of the sea floor does not follow a discernable pattern.
C)The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a mid-ocean ridge.
D)The age of the sea floor increases with increasing distance from a trench.
E)The oldest sea floor material is several billion years in age.
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Multiple Choice
Q 91Q 91
How does the ocean floor preserve evidence of past magnetic reversals?
A)Magnetic particles in basalt orient with the magnetic field in force at the time the oceanic lava cooled and hardened.
B)Isotopic analysis of ocean core sediments help determine sea floor age and this can be used to infer past magnetism.
C)The ocean floor is uniformly old,preserving the Earth's 4.6 billion history.
D)Mantle hot spots are always oriented to the magnetic field.
E)The oldest oceanic crust is always found near mid-ocean ridges.As one moves out from these ridges,the crust is simultaneously younger and oriented according to the polarity at the time.
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Multiple Choice
Q 92Q 92
While Earth is estimated to be 4.6 billion years old,the oldest oceanic crust is approximately years old.
A)2.5 billion
A)865 million
B)1 billion
B)6,000
C)280 million
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Multiple Choice
Q 93Q 93
At which of the following locations does subduction occur?
A)divergent plate boundaries
B)at sea floor spreading zones
C)above mantle hot spots
D)convergent plate boundaries
E)along transform plate boundaries
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Multiple Choice
Q 94Q 94
Ocean floor subducts under continents because
A)the ocean floor has a lower density and therefore sinks more easily.
B)the ocean floor is made of felsic minerals and is heavier than continental material.
C)the ocean floor is made of mafic material and is therefore more dense than continental material.
D)the weight of the continents is so great that they push the ocean floor material downward.
E)granite is denser than basalt,forcing the basaltic ocean floors downward.
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Multiple Choice
Q 95Q 95
The process whereby one portion of the lithosphere beneath another and dives downward into the mantel is called
A)rifting.
B)subduction.
C)compression.
D)isostatic uplift.
E)orogeny.
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Multiple Choice
Q 96Q 96
The world's deep ocean trenches coincide with
A)subduction zones.
B)mid-oceanic ridges.
C)transform plate boundaries.
D)divergent plate boundaries.
E)areas of active orogeny.
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Multiple Choice
Q 97Q 97
Earth's crust is roughly made up of
A)mantle and core material.
B)at least 14 plates capable of movement.
C)strong,unbroken material.
D)a brittle material that does not move.
E)2 large plates and 22 microplates.
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Multiple Choice
Q 98Q 98
Along ,new ocean floor is formed by upwelling flows of magma,whereas along ,old oceanic crust is destroyed.
A)subduction zones;mid-ocean ridges
B)archipelagos;oceanic trenches
C)mid-ocean ridges;subduction zones
D)oceanic trenches;archipelagos
E)seamounts;mid-ocean ridges
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Multiple Choice
Q 99Q 99
Mid-ocean ridges occur where
A)plates are moving apart (diverging).
B)plates are converging.
C)plates are sliding past one another (transform boundaries).
D)the geographic middle of an ocean basic occurs.
E)at ocean-continent margins.
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Multiple Choice
Q 100Q 100
Areas of upwelling material from the mantle to form new seafloor occur along
A)divergent boundaries.
B)continental-ocean margins.
C)transform boundaries.
D)convergent boundaries.
E)near small islands.
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Multiple Choice
Q 101Q 101
Areas of crustal collision and subduction occur along
A)divergent boundaries.
B)areas of seafloor spreading.
C)transform boundaries.
D)convergent boundaries.
E)mid-ocean ridges.
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Multiple Choice
Q 102Q 102
Areas where plates slide past one another,usually at right angles to a seafloor spreading,are
A)divergent boundaries.
B)areas of seafloor spreading.
C)transform boundaries.
D)convergent boundaries.
E)continental-ocean margins
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Multiple Choice
Q 103Q 103
Transform faults along plate boundaries are typically associated with
A)sea-floor spreading centers.
B)subduction zones.
C)volcanism.
D)earthquake activity.
E)near seafloor creation.
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Multiple Choice
Q 104Q 104
are sites of upwelling of magma from the mantle independent of plate boundaries.
A)Hot spots
B)Subduction zones
C)Transform faults
D)Mid-ocean ridges
E)Plate boundaries
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Multiple Choice
Q 105Q 105
The Hawai'ian Islands were formed as a result of
A)a rising plume of magma from the mantle.
B)an oceanic-oceanic plate collision.
C)a continental-oceanic plate collision.
D)activity along a mid-ocean ridge.
E)divergent plate boundaries.
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Multiple Choice
Q 106Q 106
Measured from the seafloor to the top of its highest peak,the highest mountain on Earth is
A)Mount Everest.
B)Mount Chimborazo.
C)Ojos del Salado.
D)Mount Logan.
E)Mauna Kea.
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Multiple Choice
Q 107Q 107
Which of the following is not correct regarding geothermal energy?
A)It is the product of exogenic processes.
B)It involves minimal production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
C)Power plants produce geothermal electricity using hot water and steam from a natural underground reservoir to drive a turbine that powers a generator.
D)It can be used to produce both heat and electricity.
E)Some extraction rates are exceeding recharge.
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Multiple Choice
Q 108Q 108
The geologic cycle is fueled by
A)solar energy,only.
B)the Earth's internal heat,only.
C)both solar energy and the Earth's internal heat.
D)neither solar energy and the Earth's internal heat.
E)the hydrologic cycle,only.
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Multiple Choice
Q 109Q 109
The principal cycles composing the geologic cycle include all the following except
A)hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles,only.
B)biogeochemical cycle,only.
C)tectonic cycle and rock cycle,only.
D)rock cycle and hydrology cycle,only.
E)hydrologic cycle,rock cycle,and tectonic cycle
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Multiple Choice
Q 110Q 110
In terms of human-environment interaction,which of the following is an example of an anthropogenic endogenic process contributing to the geologic cycle?
A)strip mining
B)harnessing geothermal energy for electricity development
C)injection wells contributing to earthquake activity
D)rock removal for building contributing to land slides
E)natural hazards,such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions pose dangers to humans
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Multiple Choice
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Essay
Q 112Q 112
Depict a cross-section of Earth from the center to the surface including all of its major components.Include important physical characteristics,such as the thickness of the layer,the nature of the rock,approximate temperature,density,and mineral types.
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Essay
Q 113Q 113
Which part of Earth is primarily responsible for Earth's magnetic field? Why? What are the characteristics of magnetic reversals? How often do they occur? When will the next one occur,and what will happen when it does?
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Essay
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Q 115Q 115
Briefly review the history of the theory of plate tectonics.What was Alfred Wegener's role? What evidence did he present? Why was his theory not widely accepted initially? What new evidence led to its later acceptance?
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Q 119Q 119
What are some examples of anthropogenic endogenic and exogenic processes in the geologic cycle?
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