Exam 4 (the final): Geology 101, Fall 2004
name____________________________
Select the best answer and fill in the appropriate answer on the scan sheet provided. Make sure you have all EIGHT pages of the test and your ID # and name are correctly entered on the scan sheet!
1. The definition of geology is "the study of the planet earth," but more specifically it also includes:
A. the materials of which the earth is made
B. human-made minerals
C. living plants and animals
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
2. One of the main defining criteria for a mineral is that it must be _____.
A. naturally occurring
B. a liquid
C. able to be grown by humans
D. taken along with vitamins
E. none of the above
3. Two more defining criteria for a mineral are that it must have a/an (a)_____ and a/an (b)_____, the former being why we need some background knowledge of chemistry.
A. (a) definite chemical composition, (b) unique color
B. (a) definite chemical composition, (b) unique hardness
C. (a) unique chemical composition, (b) definite hardness
D. (a) unique chemical composition, (b) unique color
E. none of the above combinations
4. There are over ninety naturally-occurring elements, but only eight of them account for almost 99% of the earthÕs crust by weight. (a)_____ is most abundant, followed by (b)_____ as the second most abundant.
A. (a) Oxygen, (b) hydrogen
B. (a) Carbon, (b) oxygen
C. (a) Oxygen, (b) silicon
D. (a) Carbon, (b) hydrogen
E. none of the above combinations
5. The basis for mineral structures are that anions and cations (a)_____, and, in general, anions are (b)_____ than cations, because they have (c)_____ electrons than protons.
A. (a) must be the same size, (b) larger, (c) less
B. (a) must fit together, (b) smaller, (c) more
C. (a) charges must sum to zero, (b) smaller, (c) more
D. (a) must be similar in size and charge, (b) smaller, (c) more
E. none of the above combinations
6. I defined a rock as (a)_____ and noted there are three kinds of rocks: (b)_____ rocks form from cooling magmas, (c)_____ rocks form from sediment being ŌgluedĶ together, and (d)_____ rocks form from alteration of rocks in the solid state.
A. (a) garnet, (b) Igneous, (c) metamorphic, (d) metamorphic
B. (a) granite, (b) Sedimentary, (c) igneous, (d) metamorphic
C. (a) a collection of minerals, (b) metamorphic, (c) sedimentary, (d) igneous
D. (a) a collection of minerals ŌgluedĶ together (b) igneous, (c) sedimentary, (d) metamorphic
E. none of the above combinations
7. In general, the different rocks types are classified based on (a)_____ (i.e., the minerals they contain) and (b)_____ (i.e., the shape and arrangement of these minerals).
A. (a) how they formed, (b) where they formed
B. (a) their appearance, (b) their chemistry
C. (a) their composition, (b) their texture
D. (a) their texture, (b) their composition
E. none of the above combinations
8. Geologists use the rock cycle to show the relationship between formation and destruction of the three major rock types. For example, (a)_____ rocks form from a cooling magma, which in turn could weather to form (b)_____. Next, (b)_____ could form a/an (c)_____ rock, which could in turn melt to form (d)_____ and complete the cycle.
A. (a) lava, (b) igneous rocks, (c) metamorphic, (d) magma
B. (a) igneous, (b) sediment, (c) igneous, (d) magma
C. (a) magma, (b) sediment, (c) sedimentary, (d) granite
D. (a) igneous, (b) sediment, (c) sedimentary, (d) magma
E. none of the above combinations
9. Igneous rocks that form on the earthÕs surface are composed of (a)_____ with the naked eye because the lava that formed them (b)_____. An example of an igneous rock that formed near the surface is (c)_____.
A. (a) minerals that are large enough to see, (b) cooled very rapidly, (c) granite
B. (a) minerals that are too small to see, (b) cooled very rapidly, (c) granite
C. (a) minerals that are too small to see, (b) cooled very slowly, (c) basalt
D. (a) minerals that are large enough to see, (b) cooled very slowly, (c) basalt
E. none of the above combinations
10. Sedimentary rocks are classified based on their (a)_____ (i.e., minerals present) and (b)_____ (i.e., the size of the grains in the rock), and two of the main classes are (c)_____ which are mainly made by lithification of sediments and (d)_____ which are mainly formed by crystallization.
A. (a) composition, (b) texture, (c) sandstone, (d) limestone
B. (a) composition, (b) texture, (c) shale, (d) schist
C. (a) texture, (b) composition, (c) clastics, (d) carbonates
D. (a) composition, (b) texture, (c) clastics, (d) carbonates
E. none of the above combinations
11. In sedimentary rocks there are three sizes of grains: (a)_____ is/are greater than 2 mm, (b)_____ is/are between 1/16 mm and 2 mm, and (c)_____ is/are less than 1/16 mm.
A. (a) gravel, (b) silt, (c) mud
B. (a) rocks, (b) silt, (c) mud
C. (a) rocks, (b) silt, (c) clay
D. (a) gravel, (b) sand, (c) mud
E. none of the above combinations
12. During metamorphism of shale, (a) _____ is the first rock formed, followed by phyllite which, with increasing pressure, temperature, and time will convert to (b)_____ and finally gneiss.
A. (a) basalt, (b) granite
B. (a) sandstone, (b) quartzite
C. (a) schist, (b) slate
D. (a) slate, (b) schist
E. none of the above combinations
13. (a) _____ is the type of rock that comprises Moscow Mountain, and (b) _____ is the type of rock that the City of Moscow lies on.
A. (a) Basalt, (b) granite
B. (a) Granite, (b) basalt
C. (a) Shale, (b) garnet
D. (a) Schist, (b) garnet
E. none of the above combinations
14. From youngest to oldest, which of the following sequences of events best describes the local geology?
A. formation of the Belt rocks, intrusion of granite, lava flows forming basalts
B. lava flows forming basalts, intrusion of granite, formation of the Belt rocks
C. lava flows forming basalts, formation of the Belt rocks, intrusion of granite
D. formation of the Belt rocks, lava flows forming basalts, intrusion of granite
E. none of the above
15. The fossils we saw at Clarkia were deposited in lake sediment. The lake was formed when a/an (a)_____ dam blocked a stream. We can use these fossils to infer past climatic conditions. Based on them, we know the climate in northern Idaho 15 million years ago was (b)_____.
A. (a) ice, (b) warmer and drier
B. (a) basalt (b) warmer and drier
C. (a) ice, (b) cooler and wetter
D. (a) basalt, (b) warmer and wetter
E. none of the above
16. The Scablands in central Washington formed in a major flood approximately 10,000 years ago. The flood was caused when a lake formed behind a/an _____ dam in Montana emptied within a few hours.
A. wooden
B. basalt
C. rock slide
D. earthen
E. none of the above
17. Palouse hills near Moscow formed over the past 10,000 years, mainly by:
A. water erosion of sediment
B. water deposition of sediment
C. wind deposition of sediment
D. wind erosion of sediment
E. none of the above
18. The oldest rocks we saw on the field trip were approximately (a)_____ years old, while the youngest rocks were approximately (b)_____ years old.
A. (a) one million, (b) 100,000
B. (a) 200 million, (b) 5-15 million
C. (a) one billion, (b) 5-15 million
D. (a) one billion, (b) 65 million
E. (a) one billion, (b) 100 million
19. The _____ is the state gemstone of Idaho.
A. star granite
B. star ruby
C. star garnet
D. opal
E. none of the above
20. Approximately 800 million years ago a/an (a)_____ plate boundary existed in our area, while approximately 100 to 200 million years ago a/an(b)_____ plate boundary existed in our area.
A. (a) diverging, (b) transform
B. (a) transform, (b) diverging
C. (a) converging, (b) diverging
D. (a) diverging, (b) converging
E. none of the above combinations
21. Geologists use two types of time: (a)_____ indicates the sequence of events, and (b)_____ actually assigns an age to an event. As an example of the different types of time, the Clinton years would be an example of (c)_____, and we would say the Clinton years came after the Reagan-Bush years.
A. (a) relative time, (b) absolute time, (c) relative time
B. (a) absolute time, (b) relative time, (c) absolute time
C. (a) radioactive dating, (b) tree rings, (c) political time
D. (a) relative time, (b) absolute time, (c) absolute time
E. none of the above combinations
22. The term ŌmassĶ in mass wasting refers to (a)_____, and mass wasting is driven by (b)_____.
A. (a) the number of protons plus neutrons, (b) electrical charges
B. (a) the number of protons plus electrons, (b) radioactive decay
C. (a) bedrock, rock, soil, or snow, (b) water
D. (a) bedrock, rock, soil, or snow, (b) gravity
E. none of the above combinations
23. Some of the factors controlling mass wasting are (a)_____, and mass wasting events are often trigged by (b)_____. Lastly, types of mass wasting are classified by (c)_____.
A. (a) high relief, (b) water, (c) rate of movement
B. (a) steep slopes, (b) oversteepening slopes, (c) type of material moved
C. (a) loose material, (b) ground shaking caused by earthquakes, (c) nature of movement
D. (a) orientation of bedding planes, (b) all of the bÕs above, (c) all of the cÕs above
E. all of the above combinations
24. One of the most important definitions of the semester is that of a floodplain, which is:
A. an area next to a river that floods
B. an area next to a river that is safe from flooding
C. a great place to build a house because it is flat and close to water
D. a place where the water table is often very far below the surface
E. none of the above
25. We have tried to control flooding using several different methods. Dams are often built to form (a)_____ as a means to store water, and (b)_____ are ridges built next to streams in hopes of keeping the water in the stream. In the end, the best solution for flood control is (c)_____.
A. (a) floodplains, (b) levees, (c) to channelize the stream
B. (a) floodplains, (b) dams, (c) not to build on the floodplain
C. (a) lakes, (b) floodplains, (c) to channelize the stream
D. (a) lakes, (b) levees, (c) to use the streamÕs floodplain to store water during a flood
E. none of the above combinations
26. Groundwater is best defined as (a)_____, and the majority of the fresh water (i.e., non-saltwater) on earth is in (b)_____.
A. (a) water on the ground, (b) rivers
B. (a) water below the surface, (b) groundwater
C. (a) water in an aquifer, (b) lakes
D. (a) water in a well, (b) groundwater
E. none of the above combinations
27. An understanding of water use and the amount of groundwater is necessary to help plan its use. (a)_____ gallons is the approximate amount of water used in the Moscow area per year, and given that a volume of 1,000,000 cubic feet could hold 8,000,000 gallons of water, (b)_____ gallons would be the amount of water the same volume of rock could hold if it had a 0.1% porosity.
A. (a) 1,200,000, (b) 80
B. (a) 12,000,000, (b) 800
C. (a) 120,000,000, (b) 80,000
D. (a) 1,200,000,000, (b) 8,000
E. none of the above combinations
28. The term (a)_____ describes the map location of an earthquake, and the (b)_____ is the actual location of the earthquake below the ground.
A. (a) scarp, (b) epicenter
B. (a) epicenter, (b) scarp
C. (a) focus, (b) epicenter
D. (a) epicenter, (b) focus
E. none of the above combinations
29. Several different types of waves form and are sent out from an earthquake. The (a)_____ waves travel at a faster velocity than the (b)_____ waves.
A. (a) P-, (b) S-
B. (a) compression, (b) shear
C. (a) primary, (b) secondary
D. all of the above combinations
E. none of the above combinations
30. While hard to believe, research has shown that earthquake frequency (a)_____ after periods of (b)_____. This relationship was discovered (c)_____.
A. (a) changes, (b) population growth, (c) as the population of Denver grew
B. (a) changes, (b) logging, (c) as areas in the west were logged
C. (a) increases, (b) high rainfall, (c) in an experiment by pumping water into deep wells
D. (a) decreases, (b) high rainfall, (c) accidentally when water was pumped from deep wells
E. none of the above combinations
31. Gravity is defined as (a)_____. I would weigh (b)_____ on top of a mountain than at sea level.
A. (a) a force that holds us on the earth, (b) more
B. (a) an attraction between two objects, (b) more
C. (a) an attraction between two objects, (b) the same
D. (a) an attraction between two objects, (b) less
E. none of the above combinations
32. The earth's magnetic north pole:
A. is formed by a large magnetic deposit in northern Canada
B. coincides with its geographic north pole
C. is always in the northern hemisphere
D. is currently about 11.5 degrees from its north geographic pole
E. both A and B
33. We are uncertain of the origin of the earthÕs magnetic field, but we know that:
A. the earthÕs geographic north and south poles switch
B. the earthÕs magnetic field moves to an east – west direction
C. the earthÕs magnetic field never changes
D. the earthÕs magnetic field is always increasing in strength
E. none of the above
34. The earth is divided into the core, mantle, and crust based on composition. The core is further divided into a (a)_____ inner core and (b)_____ outer core. We know this because (c)_____-waves will not travel through liquid. Also we know the crust is (d) _____ under the oceans than continents.
A. (a) liquid, (b) solid, (c) S, (d) thicker
B. (a) solid, (b) liquid, (c) S, (d) thinner
C. (a) liquid, (b) solid, (c) P, (d) the same thickness
D. (a) liquid, (b) solid, (c) S, (d) thinner
E. none of the above combinations
35. The upper several hundred miles of the earth is divided into two zones based on how they behave. The (a)_____ behaves in brittle fashion, while the (b)_____ behaves in a ductile fashion.
A. (a) crust, (b) mantle
B. (a) granite crust, (b) basalt crust
C. (a) lithosphere, (b) asthenosphere
D. (a) asthenosphere, (b) lithosphere
E. none of the above combinations
36. Some rocks on the continents are several billion years old, yet rocks on the sea floor are no older than (a)_____ million years. This is because rocks that comprise the sea floor are created at (b)_____ and destroyed at (c)_____.
A. (a) 200, (b) ocean trenches, (c) mid-ocean ridges
B. (a) 20, (b) ocean trenches, (c) mid-ocean ridges
C. (a) 200, (b) mid-ocean ridges, (c) ocean trenches
D. (a) 20, (b) mid-ocean ridges, (c) ocean trenches
E. none of the above combinations
37. The physiography of the ocean floor supports the theory of plate tectonics. (a)_____ are shallow linear features that occur along (b)_____ plate boundaries, while (c)_____ are deep linear features that occur along (d)_____.
A. (a) Mid-ocean ridges, (b) diverging, (c) ocean trenches, (d) converging
B. (a) Mid-ocean ridges, (b) converging, (c) ocean trenches, (d) diverging
C. (a) Ocean trenches, (b) diverging, (c) mid-ocean ridges, (d) converging
D. (a) Ocean trenches, (b) converging, (c) mid-ocean ridges, (d) diverging
E. none of the above combinations
38. Plate tectonics is a unifying theory in geology that combines observations from:
A. sea floor spreading
B. polar wandering
C. continental drift
D. all of the above
E. none of the above
39. What was the title of the talk I gave in-class the Friday before Thanksgiving Break?
A. Asbestos: The magic mineral or silent killer?
B. Asbestos and you
C. Who cares about asbestos
D. What you need to know about asbestos
E. none of the above
40. Asbestos has a two part definition; it is first a (a)_____ and secondly has the form of a/an (b)_____.
A. (a) building material, (b) fiber
B. (a) mineral, (b) needle
C. (a) rock, (b) fiber
D. (a) mineral, (b) fiber
E. none of the above
41. There are several types of asbestos and the common ones have names used in industry as well as their geologic names. For instance, chrysotile is also termed (a)_____ asbestos and crocidolite is also termed (b)_____ asbestos. Scientist have also discovered that (c)_____ asbestos is the more harmful of the two.
A. (a) white, (b) blue, (c) white
B. (a) blue, (b) white, (c) blue
C. (a) white, (b) blue, (c) blue
D. (a) blue, (b) white, (c) white
E. none of the above combinations
42. Environmental geology can best be defined as (a)_____ and broadly speaking covers both the study of (b)_____ areas of geology.
A. (a) the application of geologic information to groundwater, (b) streams and groundwater
B. (a) the application of geologic information to natural resource use, (b) oil and coal
C. (a) the application of geologic information to save wildlife, (b) wetlands and caves
D. (a) the application of geologic information to environmental problems, (b) physical and chemical
E. none of the above combinations
43. A/an (a)_____ is the total amount of material (both discovered and undiscovered), and a/an (b)_____ is the found profitably mineable material.
A. (a) resource, (b) reserve
B. (a) reserve, (b) resource
C. (a) ore, (b) deposit
D. (a) deposit, (b) ore
E. none of the above combinations
44. In terms of natural resource use, I thought it was really important to know the population of the USA, which is currently approximately _____ million people.
A. 250
B. 275
C. 300
D. 325
E. none of the above
45. On a per person basis, we use approximately (a) _____ pounds of rocks a year. And over a lifetime we use approximately (b)_____ pounds of minerals, metals, and fuels.
A. (a) 150, (b) 10,500
B. (a) 1,500, (b) 105,000
C. (a) 15,000, (b) 3,250,000
D. (a) 150,000, (b) 500,000
E. (a) 1,000, (b) 70,000
46. The per day oil use in the USA is a staggeringly huge (a)_____ million barrels, which is even larger when one realizes there are (b)_____ gallons in a barrel of oil!
A. (a) 15, (b) 55
B. (a) 15, (b) 42
C. (a) 21, (b) 42
D. (a) 21, (b) 55
E. none of the above combinations
47. The Exxon Valdez tanker spill in 1989 off the coast of Alaska is one of the so-called largest environmental disasters in the history of the USA. The tanker spilled approximately (a)_____ of oil we use in the USA, and we import approximately (b)_____ of the oil we use in the USA.
A. (a) 1% of one days use, (b) 1/2
B. (a) 1 dayÕs worth, (b) 1/3
C. (a) 1 weekÕs worth, (b) 1/2
D. (a) 1 monthÕs worth, (b) 1/3
E. (a) 1 yearÕs worth, (b) 1/2
48. Global warming is a theory that states the earth is warming because of added carbon dioxide from the burning of hydrocarbons (i.e., fossil fuels). Currently in the USA we obtain about (a)_____ of our energy from burning hydrocarbons. However, there are other sources of carbon dioxide, for instance, I showed a somewhat simple calculation that humans exhale (b)_____ carbon dioxide when compared to the total carbon dioxide produced from gasoline use in autos worldwide.
A. (a) 30%, (b) about 10% as much
B. (a) 60%, (b) about 1% as much
C. (a) 90%, (b) a little less
D. (a) 90%, (b) a little more
E. none of the above combinations
49. I tried to make the point on the last day of class that when we try to solve one problem, we can often create another one. For instance when trying to find alternative energy sources to hydrocarbons and nuclear power we might use windmills, but windmills _____, so thereÕs no such thing as a free lunch!
A. require mining metals to make them
B. would kill birds that flew into them
C. might effect local wind currents
D. both A and B
E. all of the above
50. I have made sure that my ID and name are correctly entered on the scan sheet, I will take the test with me when I leave, and I have answered all the questions on the test and entered them on the scan sheet.
A. yes
B. no
To all,
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And thanks for letting me teach you something about geology over the past 16 weeks!