ESS 101 B Sp 23: Introduction To Geology And Societal Impacts

Examination 1

Question 1

Which of statements below are correct regarding scientific observations of the solar system, which support the contention that the sun and planets formed from a rotating, disk-shaped, nebular dust cloud?

(There are 2 correct answers)

The planets are aligned with the Sun's equatorial plane

The planets are not aligned with the Sun's equatorial plane

The planets revolve in a counter-clockwise direction around the sun

The planets revolve in a clockwise direction around the sun

Most of the planets and their moons rotate on their axes in a clockwise direction

Question 2

Meteorites that strike the earth may be composed of ____________?

(Select the 3 correct answers)

Iron-Nickel

Oxide minerals

Chondritic (silicate minerals)

Sulfide minerals

carbon

Question 3

Which of the following statements are not true regarding S-waves as they propagate through the earth.

(Select the 2 correct answers below)

S waves are completely absorbed in the asthenosphere

S waves are faster than P waves

S waves refract as they propagate through different density materials

S waves are also described as shear waves

S waves are absorbed in the liquid outer core

Question 4

Which of the sources of heat listed below were not important to the differentiation of the earth into compositional zones?

(2 answers are correct)

background thermal heating from residual "Big Bang" energy

kinetic energy of impacting planetesimals

radioactive decay of natural radioactive elements

compressional heating as earth gained mass

solar heating

Question 5

Transform. plate boundaries are typically associated with ___________.

convergent margins where the descending plates speeds up during subduction

convergent margins where the descending plates slows down during subduction

divergent margins where the rate of spreading is different along segments of the spreading ridge

divergent margins where the rate of spreading is the same along segments of the spreading ridge

collisional margins where plates are being thrust over one another

Question 6

Which of the following statements are not correct related to the compositional zonation of the earth? (There are 2 correct answers)

the earth became compositionally zoned when the sun first formed

the earth is not compositionally zoned

the densest compositional zones are in the earth's interior

the earth became compositionally zoned after the melting temperature of iron was reached

the earth's atmosphere and oceans formed during differentiation and degassing

Question 7

Match the magma/lava type with the appropriate geographic/tectonic setting where it is found.

ocean-ocean convergence             andesite

Mid-Atlantic Ridge                        basalt

ocean-continent convergence        granite

Question 8

Special Reading 1

Most of what is known about the Earth’s early planetary history comes from _____________. More than one answer may be correct.

(Three answers are correct).

comparing Earth to its planetary neighbors, Venus and Mars

Studying other planetary systems using the Hubble telescope

Directly drilling through the Earth's crust to its core

the sparse geologic record from 3.5 billion years ago

computer models of atmospheres changing with time

Question 9

Which of the following plate motions would not likely occur in the future?

East Africa will diverge from Central Africa forming a small ocean basin

The Juan de Fuca plate will become smaller as the rate of seafloor spreading is less than the rate of its consumption at the subduction zone

The Isthmus of Panama will open and North America will separate from South America

western California will be displaced southward towards Mexico along a transform. fault

The Mediterranean Sea will close as the African Plate converges with the Eurasian Plate

Question 10

Match the structure within the subduction zone with the appropriate geographic feature in Washington State (shown on the figure below).

Olympic Mountains              Accretionary Wedge

Puget Lowland                    Forearc Basin

Columbia Plateau                Backarc Basin

Question 11

Which of the following statements are correct regarding preservation of the earth's magnetic field signature within magnetite crystals contained in a basalt flow erupted and solidified at the earth's North Pole today?

(there are 2 correct answers)

the magnetite crystals will have a steep inclination

the magnetite crystals will have a low inclination

the magnetite crystals will possess a normal (north) polarity

magnetite crystals will be arranged haphazardly within the crystallized basalt flow

the magnetite crystals will possess a reversed (south) polarity

Question 12

Refer to the image below to answer the following question.

Which seismic wave(s) is recorded by seismograph located a 155° angular distance from the epicenter of the above earthquake?

surface waves

S waves only

No seismic waves are recorded

P and S waves

P waves only

Question 13

Where are minerals naturally produced on earth?

(choose the 2 correct answers)

crystallization of magma

from wood fiber in a tree

in a scientific laboratory

in a clam shell

precipitation from and aqueous solution

Question 14

The diagram below shows the evolution of the San Andreas Fault system that first formed along the western margin of North America shortly after 30 million years ago when the leading edge of the spreading ridge was subducted under North American plate at the latitude of California. Which of the following statements are true regarding the evolution of the San Andreas Fault system and subduction of the spreading ridge? 3 answers are correct.

the asthenosphere convection cell now lies west of California in the Pacific Ocean basin

Broad uplift of the Colorado Plateau and downcutting by the Colorado River (creation of the Grand Canyon) is related to heating of the North American plate

Basin and range extension tectonics is related to the underlying upwelling of the asthenosphere

the asthenosphere convection cell now lies under Nevada and Utah (east of California.

Cascade volcanism in Oregon and Washington is related to subduction of the spreading ridge under California

Question 15

The cause of volcanism observed in the Cascades is most similar to that of ________.

the European Alps

Iceland

Andes Mountains

the Ural Mountains

Hawaii

Question 16

Which of the following cannot be explained by plate tectonics?

The presence of volcanic mid ocean ridges

Volcanic mountain chains around the Pacific Ocean basin

The inclination of the earth's magnetic field

The matching coastlines of Europe and Africa and North America and South America

Spatial distribution of most earthquakes

Question 17

Which of the following statements are not true regarding continental collision tectonic margins?

(select the 2 correct answers)

basaltic volcanism will be common

andesitic volcanism will be common

marine sedimentary (ocean floor) rocks will be uplifted

granitic plutons will form. at depth

high mountain ranges will form. in the center of continents

Question 18

Match the traits that are characteristic of the magma compositions shown below:

High Viscosity                         Felsic

Form. shield volcanoes              Mafic

Explosive eruptions                  Felsic

Low melting temperatures        Mafic

High Mg/Fe content                 Mafic

Produced at mid-ocean ridges   Mafic

Question 19

What evidence have geophysicists used to indicate that the core is metallic and has a liquid component?

(There are two correct answers)

the presence of the earth’s magnetic field

seismic wave studies, specifically the S-wave shadow zone

the presence of iridium in the outer core

convection in the outer core drives plate tectonics

a segment of the metallic core has been brought to the surface along deep kimberlite dikes

Question 20

What gases escaped from the Earth’s atmosphere into space during the early differentiation of the Earth?

(There are 2 correct answers)

helium

carbon dioxide

hydrogen

nitrogen

water vapor

Question 21

Metals generally have _________ melting and boiling points are _________ conductors of heat and electricity?

low, poor

none of the other answers are correct

low, good

high, good

high, poor

Question 22

In the 2nd special reading it was proposed that the 20,000 year climate cycle in East Africa that ranges from extreme aridity to very wet conditions is driven by _________.

Sunspot cycles

None of the other answers are correct

Changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun

El Nino upwelling cycles in the west Pacific Ocean

Cyclical magma upwelling along the East African rift zone

Question 23

Water (H2O) melts at a very low temperature because the water molecules are held together within the crystal structure by ____________ bonds.

strong covalent bonds

strong metallic

strong ionic

weak Van der Waal

weak ionic

Question 24

Why does quartz not exhibit a well-defined 6-sided crystal structure in the rock granite?

it has lowest melting/freezing temperature and is last mineral to crystallize

it has the lowest melting/freezing temperature and is the first to crystallize

it has the highest melting/freezing temperature and is the last mineral to crystallize

it has the highest melting/freezing temperature and is the first to crystallize

none of the other answers are corrects, as quartz form. 6-sided crystals in the rock granite

Question 25

What mineral group is most important for the production of drywall used in residential home construction?

sulfides

sulfates

oxides

carbonates

halides

Question 26

Look at the image below of the mineral amphibole. Note that 2 of the oxygen atoms are shared between 50% adjacent tetrahedra and 3 oxygen atoms are shared for the other 50% of the tetrahedra with covalent bonds.

What is the ratio of Si:O in the double chain amphibole mineral structure?

1:2.75

1:3

1:2.5

1:2

1:4

Question 27

Which mineral group provides most of the world's economic lead (Pb) for battery production?

oxide

silicate

halide

sulfide

carbonate

Question 28

Why does Ca-rich plagioclase develop cleavage planes yet it is a framework silicate mineral with all its oxygen atoms shared between tetrahedra?

this mineral is not a silicate mineral and consists of weak ionic bonds between the oxygen atoms

this mineral may have an Al atom in its tetrahedra which requires additional ionic bonds with Ca atoms

none of the other answers are correct

this mineral does not cleave

the mineral cleaves between covalent bonds separating sheet pairs

Question 29

Which of the following statements are correct regarding silicate tetrahedron? (Choose the 3 correct answers).

it has a net charge of -4

it is the least common mineral group comprising the crust and mantle

it is bonded with covalent bonds within the tetrahedron

1 silicon atom is bonded with 4 oxygen atoms

it is bonded with van der waal bonds within the tetrahedron

Question 30

How do scientists explain the presence of heavy elements, such as iron and nickel comprising planets in our solar system?

the heavy elements are remnants from the original Big Bang formation event of our Universe

none of the other answers are correct

heavy elements were produced within the planets during differentiation

the heavy elements formed during a super nova event during the death of a pre-existing star

heavy metal were produced in our sun and expelled by the solar wind

Question 31

Match the source rock with the magma type produced from partial melting of that source rock.

partial melt of asthenosphere                                                     basaltic magma

partial melt of subducting ocean crust and marine sediments         andesitic magma

partial melt of continental crust                                                   granitic magma

Question 32

Answer the question below based on the diagram showing partial melting in the earth mantle (asthenosphere).

Which of the following statements are correct based on the information shown in the above diagram.

(3 answers are correct)

the rising magma will solidify before it reaches the surface

the rising magma will have temperature of about 1400°C when it reaches the surface

the rising magma's actual temperature was same as its melting temperature where it first started melting

the rising magma will have a temperature of less than 1100° C when it reaches the surface

the rising magma will become more liquid as it rises towards the surface

Question 33

A porphyritic (volcanic) rock has 0% quartz, 60% plagioclase, 40% amphibole and 10% pyroxene. What would the rock be called according to the chart?

Diorite

Basalt

Rhyolite

Andesite

Granite

Question 34

What criteria are most conducive for a volcanic eruption to cause climatic cooling? (2 answers are correct)

ejecta erupted into the stratosphere

volcanic eruptions near equatorial latitudes

volcanic eruptions near the polar latitudes

ejecta erupted into the troposphere

volcanic eruption that occur under water

Question 35

The attached image is an obsidian sample. Why does obsidian appear dark when it is largely comprised of amorphous silica glass

the silica glass has trace magnetite crystals present

the silica glass has entrained burned iron deposits

obsidian is composed of pure amphibole that gives it its dark color

obsidian is actually basalt that cooled quickly in water

obsidian is actually iron-magnesium rich composition

Question 36

Which two igneous rocks listed below are classified based on their porous textures?

(multiple answer question)

tuff

scoria

volcanic breccia

tough

pumice

Question 37

Use this photo to answer questions. There are three minerals shown in this porphyritic andesite: a) small black minerals, b) larger white minerals, c) smaller minerals in the gray matrix.

Of the following options, which lists the minerals in order of which crystallized FIRST to which crystallized LAST?

B, A, C

A, B, C

C, B, A

B, C, A

C, A, B

A, C, B

Question 38

Match the mineral with the diagnostic property that is most useful for its identification.

biotite                 breaks into black flexib

hematite              leaves a reddish-brown

quartz                 glassy luster, breaks al

amphibole           dark green prismatic cr

Question 39

Which of the following statements are correct regarding shield volcanoes? (There are 3 correct answers)

Magma is typically basaltic compostion.

Magma is typically andesitic composition.

Their slope angle ranges between 7-10°.

Their slope angle ranges between 25-35°.°.

They form. above mantle hotspots below the ocean floor

The form. above subduction zones.

Question 40

Which of the following arrangements of minerals are compatible? In other words, which of the below arrangements would you expect to see in an igneous rock? (there are 2 correct answers).

Potassium Feldspar, Pyroxene, Biotite

Olivine, Biotite, Plagioclase

Amphibole, Pyroxene, Quartz

Potassium Feldspar, Muscovite, Amphibole

Quartz, Olivine, Amphibole