Question 1

If a sandstone lies on top of a shale,

Accepted Answer

A)  the shale must be older,according to the principle of superposition. 
B)  the sandstone must be older,according to the principle of superposition. 
C)  the shale must be older,according to the principle of original horizontality. 
D)  their relative ages cannot be determined from the information given. 
A)  the shale must be older,according to the principle of superposition. 
B)  the sandstone must be older,according to the principle of superposition. 
C)  the shale must be older,according to the principle of original horizontality. 
D)  their relative ages cannot be determined from the information given.

Question 2

What type of spatial representation of geologic information shows the distribution of rock units at the Earth's surface,their contacts,and the structures that affect them?

Accepted Answer

A)  a block diagram 
B)  a geologic cross section 
C)  a geologic map 
D)  a digital elevation model 
A)  a block diagram 
B)  a geologic cross section 
C)  a geologic map 
D)  a digital elevation model

Question 3

Dendrochronology involves dating of historic and geologic events through the study of

Accepted Answer

A)  growth layers in shells. 
B)  oxygen isotope profiles in glacial ice. 
C)  remnant magnetism in iron-rich minerals. 
D)  annual growth rings in trees. 
A)  growth layers in shells. 
B)  oxygen isotope profiles in glacial ice. 
C)  remnant magnetism in iron-rich minerals. 
D)  annual growth rings in trees.

Question 4

In the 1800s,Lord Kelvin estimated the age of the Earth,utilizing a number of assumptions.Which wrong assumption was the primary reason why his estimate (approximately 20 million years)was so wildly inaccurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  that the Earth was once hotter than it presently is today 
B)  that the Earth may have been molten when first formed 
C)  that no new heat has been added to the Earth since its initial formation 
D)  that the Earth would lose heat over time through radiation into outer space 
A)  that the Earth was once hotter than it presently is today 
B)  that the Earth may have been molten when first formed 
C)  that no new heat has been added to the Earth since its initial formation 
D)  that the Earth would lose heat over time through radiation into outer space

Question 5

A radiometric age for a mineral crystal within an igneous rock measures the amount of time that has passed since the

Accepted Answer

A)  atoms within the crystal were part of a body of molten magma. 
B)  crystal solidified. 
C)  temperature of the crystal became equal to surface temperatures. 
D)  temperature of the crystal became equal to the closure temperature for the mineral. 
A)  atoms within the crystal were part of a body of molten magma. 
B)  crystal solidified. 
C)  temperature of the crystal became equal to surface temperatures. 
D)  temperature of the crystal became equal to the closure temperature for the mineral.

Question 6

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks,younger layers overlie older layers,according to the principle of

Accepted Answer

A)  superposition. 
B)  original continuity. 
C)  original horizontality. 
D)  uniformitarianism. 
A)  superposition. 
B)  original continuity. 
C)  original horizontality. 
D)  uniformitarianism.

Question 7

Referring to the graph below,after one half-life has passed,what is the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes?

Accepted Answer

A)  16:0 
B)  1:1 
C)  1:3 
D)  1:7 
A)  16:0 
B)  1:1 
C)  1:3 
D)  1:7

Question 8

In the area immediately surrounding an igneous intrusion,a host limestone is locally metamorphosed to produce marble.Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  The intrusive igneous rock must be younger than the limestone. 
B)  The limestone must be younger than the igneous rock. 
C)  The limestone must be younger than the marble. 
D)  The relative ages of the three units cannot be determined with the information given. 
A)  The intrusive igneous rock must be younger than the limestone. 
B)  The limestone must be younger than the igneous rock. 
C)  The limestone must be younger than the marble. 
D)  The relative ages of the three units cannot be determined with the information given.

Question 9

The closure temperature represents the point when

Accepted Answer

A)  a magma cools to the point where minerals begin to crystallize. 
B)  radioactive isotopes begin to decay. 
C)  atoms are no longer free to move out of a crystal lattice. 
D)  the last remaining magma crystallizes. 
A)  a magma cools to the point where minerals begin to crystallize. 
B)  radioactive isotopes begin to decay. 
C)  atoms are no longer free to move out of a crystal lattice. 
D)  the last remaining magma crystallizes.

Question 10

What is the term for a boundary surface in a sequence of rock strata indicating lack of deposition,where erosion and deformation may have occurred?

Accepted Answer

A)  an unconformity 
B)  a fault 
C)  a fossil succession 
D)  an inclusion 
A)  an unconformity 
B)  a fault 
C)  a fossil succession 
D)  an inclusion

Question 11

The principle of ________ explains the occurrence of older rock within a newer rock.

Accepted Answer

A)  baked contacts 
B)  crosscutting relationships 
C)  original horizontality 
D)  inclusions 
A)  baked contacts 
B)  crosscutting relationships 
C)  original horizontality 
D)  inclusions

Question 12

Place the layers and geologic events in order from oldest to youngest.Make sure to include all of the layers and events,including the top surface.(There will be one event/layer per line when complete.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Place the layers and geologic events in...

Question 13

Correlate the layers in the following three stratigraphic columns by drawing lines from the top and bottom of matching formations.What is the oldest sedimentary rock unit in this region? The youngest unit?

Accepted Answer

Answer is found as Figure 10.7

Question 14

A birthdate is an example of a(n)________ age.

Accepted Answer

A)  relative 
B)  numerical 
C)  radiocarbon 
D)  isotopic 
A)  relative 
B)  numerical 
C)  radiocarbon 
D)  isotopic

Question 15

Uniformitarianism is succinctly summarized by which phrase?

Accepted Answer

A)  The future is the key to the present. 
B)  The present is the key to the past. 
C)  The past is the key to the present. 
D)  The present is the key to the future. 
A)  The future is the key to the present. 
B)  The present is the key to the past. 
C)  The past is the key to the present. 
D)  The present is the key to the future.

Question 16

Magma has intruded into a limestone and a marble rind formed surrounding the granite pluton.The marble rind must be younger than the limestone according to the principle of

Accepted Answer

A)  superposition. 
B)  baked contacts. 
C)  original horizontality. 
D)  lateral continuity. 
A)  superposition. 
B)  baked contacts. 
C)  original horizontality. 
D)  lateral continuity.

Question 17

If the relative ages of two formations are known,what else about them can be inferred?

Accepted Answer

A)  their absolute ages 
B)  their fossil assemblages 
C)  their lithologies 
D)  their relative position in the geologic column 
A)  their absolute ages 
B)  their fossil assemblages 
C)  their lithologies 
D)  their relative position in the geologic column

Question 18

What type of age are the geologic principles described by Charles Lyell used to determine?

Accepted Answer

A)  absolute age 
B)  numerical age 
C)  relative age 
D)  fossil age 
A)  absolute age 
B)  numerical age 
C)  relative age 
D)  fossil age

Question 19

Radiometric dates applied to sedimentary rocks produce ages that

Accepted Answer

A)  are just as accurate as when the technique is applied to igneous rocks. 
B)  are too young (postdate sedimentary deposition). 
C)  are too old (predate sedimentary deposition). 
D)  represent the time the sediments became lithified. 
A)  are just as accurate as when the technique is applied to igneous rocks. 
B)  are too young (postdate sedimentary deposition). 
C)  are too old (predate sedimentary deposition). 
D)  represent the time the sediments became lithified.

Question 20

Two atoms of a single element that differ in number of neutrons are said to represent two distinct ________ of that element.

Accepted Answer

A)  isomers 
B)  isotopes 
C)  isotherms 
D)  atomic species 
A)  isomers 
B)  isotopes 
C)  isotherms 
D)  atomic species

Exam 10: Deep Time: How Old Is Old

If a sandstone lies on top of a shale,

What type of spatial representation of geologic information shows the distribution of rock units at the Earth's surface,their contacts,and the structures that affect them?

Dendrochronology involves dating of historic and geologic events through the study of

In the 1800s,Lord Kelvin estimated the age of the Earth,utilizing a number of assumptions.Which wrong assumption was the primary reason why his estimate (approximately 20 million years)was so wildly inaccurate?

A radiometric age for a mineral crystal within an igneous rock measures the amount of time that has passed since the

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks,younger layers overlie older layers,according to the principle of

Referring to the graph below,after one half-life has passed,what is the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes?

In the area immediately surrounding an igneous intrusion,a host limestone is locally metamorphosed to produce marble.Which of the following statements is correct?

The closure temperature represents the point when

What is the term for a boundary surface in a sequence of rock strata indicating lack of deposition,where erosion and deformation may have occurred?

The principle of ________ explains the occurrence of older rock within a newer rock.

Place the layers and geologic events in order from oldest to youngest.Make sure to include all of the layers and events,including the top surface.(There will be one event/layer per line when complete.)

Correlate the layers in the following three stratigraphic columns by drawing lines from the top and bottom of matching formations.What is the oldest sedimentary rock unit in this region? The youngest unit?

A birthdate is an example of a(n)________ age.

Uniformitarianism is succinctly summarized by which phrase?

Magma has intruded into a limestone and a marble rind formed surrounding the granite pluton.The marble rind must be younger than the limestone according to the principle of

If the relative ages of two formations are known,what else about them can be inferred?

What type of age are the geologic principles described by Charles Lyell used to determine?

Radiometric dates applied to sedimentary rocks produce ages that

Two atoms of a single element that differ in number of neutrons are said to represent two distinct ________ of that element.

The Earth in Context

The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics

Patterns in Nature: Minerals

Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks

The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions

Pages of the Earths Past: Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphism: a Process of Change

A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes

Crags,cracks,and Crumples: Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

A Biography of the Earth

Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources

Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements

Streams and Floods: the Geology of Running Water

Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts

A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater

Dry Regions: the Geology of Deserts

Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages

Global Change in the Earth System

Introducing Rocks

A Surface Veneer: Sediments and Soils

The Rock Cycle

The Earth’s Interior Revisited: Insights from Geophysics

Memories of Past Life: Fossils and Evolution

Ever-Changing Landscapes and the Hydrologic Cycle

Prelude: And Just What is Geology?

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