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78 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
The largest feature on the Earth's surface is
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the oceans which cover greater than 70% of the surface
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The concept that gologic processes operating now are the same processes that have operated in the geologic past is known as
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Uniformitarianism
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Which of the following are reasons to be concerned with geology?
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All of the above
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The two most abundant (common) elements of the Earth's crust are ___ and are the basic building components of the mineral class ___.
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None of the above
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Mohs' Hardness Scale has uses what mineral to designate a hardness of 1?
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Talc
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The property of a minerals to split along smooth, predictable planes related to their internal structure is:
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Cleavage
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A solid cohesive aggregate of grains of one or more minerals is called a:
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Rock
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The sharing of electrons by adjacent atoms, the strongest type of chemical bonds, is a type of bonding called:
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Covalent
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If an atom has more electrons that protons it has a ___ charge and is known as a ___.
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Negative, anion
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We know that a rock found on the surface of the Earth with a coarse texture was/is
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A, C, and E
Formed deep within the Earth Cooled relatively slowly Of plutonic origin |
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Igneous rocks are most often classified by their ___ and mineral composition
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Texture
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A rock with a aphanitic texture has what type of grains and what type of cooling history?
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Fine grains, fast cooling
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A rock with a porphyritic texture has what size grains and what type of cooling history?
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Fine and coarse grains, 2 stage cooling
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Extrusive igneous rock:
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Are generally fine grained
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Rock assimilation is a theory used to explain the differences observed in:
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Diversity of igneous rocks
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Which of the following statements about the physical effects of pressure, temperature, and density on rocks is/are correct?
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All of the above
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Which of the following are not steps in the scientific method?
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All are steps in the scientific method
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Minerals are grouped into classes based on their physical characteristics.
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False
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Electrons are found in the nucleus of an atom and travel in a spherical orbit.
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False
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Molten rock beneath the Earth's surface is called magma.
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True
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Glassy is an igneous texture used to describe rock that had a long cooling history.
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False
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The inner core of the Earth, based on the physical compositional approach, is a liquid iron-nickel alloy and is responsible for the Earth's magnetic field.
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True
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Temperature, pressure, and water content are the physical environmental factors which are used to define the Earth's interior based on the Physical classification Approach.
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False
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Which of the following is a disconcordant and massive/irregular plutonic rock formation?
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Batholith
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Sedimentary rocks composed of material that is dissolved in water and subsequently precipitates out are called ___ sedimentary rocks.
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Chemical
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Magma with high silica content will tend to:
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A & C
More viscous Produce felsic rocks |
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Which of the following changes may occur during metamorphism?
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All of the above
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If shale is subjected to the highest grade of metamorphism it becomes?
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Gneiss
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Which of the following is not true about mechanical (physical) weathering?
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Does not affect metamorphic rocks
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Which of the following factors is/are important in why weathering occurs?
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Change in temperature from the rocks original environment
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A lava flow exhibits a ropy and wrinkled appearance it is called
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Pahoehoe
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Which type of metamorphism produces the majority of metamorphic rocks?
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Regional
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A specific assemblages of silicate minerals that form only during metamorphism and can be used as indicators of the degree of metamorphism are known as:
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Index minerals
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Rocks often shatter when they freeze because:
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Water expands when it freezes
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Which of the following is an example of mechanical (physical) breakdown of rocks that results from the fact that different minerals expand and contract at different rates as they are heated and cooled?
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Thermal expansion
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The quality of magma that is most important in determining whether or not it will have a high viscosity is:
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Silica content
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Sediments that ahve traveled farther and weathered longer will tend to be:
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All of the above
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The most important influence of soil composition is:
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Climate
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The principle agents of metamorphism include:
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Temperature, pressure, and fluids
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Extrusive igneous rocks:
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Are generally fine grained
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Lava tubes, common with shield volcanoes, aid in the volcano shape having:
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Gradual sloping sides (broad low profile)
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One hazard associated with volcanic eruptions is fast moving mixture of ash and water which flows down the hillside and is known as a:
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Lahar
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Which type of metamorphism produces metamorphic rock from a process where heat is transferred from an igneous intrusion into surrounding rocks?
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Contact
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Lithification, in the formation of sedimentary rocks, involves both cementation and compaction.
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True
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Sedimentary rocks make up a small part of the volume of the earth's crust.
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False
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Limestones are the most abundant chemical sedimentary rock.
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True
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Particle size is the primary basis for distinguishing among the various chemical sedimentary rocks.
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False
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Weathering of rocks occurs deep within the Earth
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False
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Lava from a volcano posses a small threat to the potential for loss of human life
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True
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Batholiths account for only a small fraction of the total of all plutonic rock formations.
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False
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According to late-tectonic theory, plates of rigid ___ float on top of a weak fluid-like layer.
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Lithosphere
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Of the seismic waves produced by an earthquake, which type travels the fastest?
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P-waves
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Of the seismic waves produced by an earthquake, which type cannot pass through the liquid outer core?
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Secondary (S)-waves
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At a convergent plate boundary,
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High mountains may be build during continent-continent collision.
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A possible "driving force" for plate motions is
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Convection in the Earth's interior
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Which of the following statements about stress and strain is/are incorrect?
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Within a plastic strain, a material retains the ability to return to its original state
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The study of Earth's past magnetism recorded in the minerals of igneous rocks may reveal:
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A & B
Latitude at which the rock formed Magnetic reversals in past times |
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Which of the following is not a way in which radioactive isotopes decay?
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Neutron capture
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The location on the Earth's surface directly over the point of origin of an earthquake is referred to as its:
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Epicenter
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Deep-focus earthquakes more commonly occur ___
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In subduction zones (trench systems)
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Earthquake intensity ___
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Is a subjective measure based partly on personal observations
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Which of the following is not correct regarding the absolute dating of geological samples?
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Rock has to be "open system" to allow isotopes to enter and leave
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___ are the remains or traces of prehistoric life.
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Fossils
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A buried erosional surface where erosion likely occurred is called:
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An unconformity
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Which of the following means of measuring an earthquake provides the best estimate of the enerty?
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Moment of Magnitude Scale
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Which type of strain is defined by the material retaining the ability to return to its original shape once the stress is removed?
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Elastic
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Most earthquakes occur ___
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On rim of Pacific Ocean ("Ring of Fire")
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The type of plate boundary where plates move together, causing one of the slabs of lithosphere to be consumed into the mantle as it descends beneath an overriding plate is called a ___
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None of the above
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Circulation within the ___ of the rotating planet generates Earth's magnetic field.
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Core
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Which of the following statements about the physical effects of pressure, temperature, and density on rocks is/are correct?
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All of the above
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Most deep-ocean trenches are located int he Pacific
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True
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The oldest oceanic crust is located at (nearest to) the mid ocean ridges
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False
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Lithospheric material (crust) is created at transform boundaries
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False
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Relative dating techniques provide a numerical age for a material
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False
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An index fossil has the characteristics of being widely distributed, abundant during its existence and only existing for a short period of time
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True
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The greater the distance a seismograph is from an earthquake, the greater the difference in arrival times of the P and S waves recorded on a seismogram
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True
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The monitoring of foreshocks is the only method available geologists have to predict earthquakes.
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False
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The knowledge about the interior of the Earth has been best studied using secondary evidence.
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True
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