Question 1

Period names on the geologic time scale,such as Devonian and Permian,provide examples of ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  relative age 
B)  numerical age 
A)  relative age 
B)  numerical age A

Question 2

As understood by modern geologists,the principle of uniformitarianism implies that ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the Earth has always had the same basic appearance that it has today, with the distributions of ocean basins and continents identical to what we see today 
B)  igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are uniformly mixed throughout the crust of the Earth 
C)  physical processes observed today (such as erosion and volcanic eruption) have been active in the past and are responsible for the geologic history we see preserved in the rock record 
D)  physical processes observed today (such as erosion and volcanic eruption) have been occurring throughout Earth history at constant rates; for example, no eruption in geologic time would have been greater than the 1815 Tambora eruption 
A)  the Earth has always had the same basic appearance that it has today, with the distributions of ocean basins and continents identical to what we see today 
B)  igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are uniformly mixed throughout the crust of the Earth 
C)  physical processes observed today (such as erosion and volcanic eruption) have been active in the past and are responsible for the geologic history we see preserved in the rock record 
D)  physical processes observed today (such as erosion and volcanic eruption) have been occurring throughout Earth history at constant rates; for example, no eruption in geologic time would have been greater than the 1815 Tambora eruption C

Question 3

Which of the following geologic principles is NOT a result of gravity?

Accepted Answer

A)  original horizontality 
B)  cross-cutting relationships 
C)  original continuity 
D)  superposition 
A)  original horizontality 
B)  cross-cutting relationships 
C)  original continuity 
D)  superposition B

Question 4

Concerning relative ages of the granite and sandstone,____________.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

In an unweathered sample of igneous rock,the ratio of an unstable isotope to its stable daughter isotope is 1/15.If no daughters were present at the time the rock cooled below closure temperature,and the half-life of the reaction is 50 million years,how old is the rock?

Accepted Answer

A)  200 million years 
B)  400 million years 
C)  750 million years 
D)  none of the above 
A)  200 million years 
B)  400 million years 
C)  750 million years 
D)  none of the above

Question 6

The basalt body is best described as a ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  pluton 
B)  sill 
C)  dike 
D)  laccolith 
A)  pluton 
B)  sill 
C)  dike 
D)  laccolith

Question 7

Contact #3 is both a ____________ at various points.

Accepted Answer

A)  conformable contact and an unconformity 
B)  fault and an unconformity 
C)  nonconformity and an angular unconformity 
D)  disconformity and a nonconformity 
A)  conformable contact and an unconformity 
B)  fault and an unconformity 
C)  nonconformity and an angular unconformity 
D)  disconformity and a nonconformity

Question 8

Which statement best summarizes the development of the geologic time scale?

Accepted Answer

A)  Numerical ages for rocks were known well before the relative sequence of sedimentary layers was established. 
B)  Relative ages for sedimentary strata were known well before accurate numerical dates for these rocks could be provided. 
C)  Names of relative ages (such as Silurian) and accurate numerical dates for these ages appeared at about the same time. 
A)  Numerical ages for rocks were known well before the relative sequence of sedimentary layers was established. 
B)  Relative ages for sedimentary strata were known well before accurate numerical dates for these rocks could be provided. 
C)  Names of relative ages (such as Silurian) and accurate numerical dates for these ages appeared at about the same time.

Question 9

Which of the following is always the same for multiple isotopes of a single element?

Accepted Answer

A)  atomic number 
B)  atomic mass number 
C)  tendency to decay radioactively 
D)  none of the above 
A)  atomic number 
B)  atomic mass number 
C)  tendency to decay radioactively 
D)  none of the above

Question 10

Numerical ages for boundaries between time units on the geologic time scale primarily resulted from the study of ____________,in conjunction with relative age data.

Accepted Answer

A)  fossil content and spatial relationships among igneous rocks 
B)  fossil content and spatial relationships among sedimentary rocks 
C)  radiometric dating of igneous rocks 
D)  radiometric dating of sedimentary rocks 
A)  fossil content and spatial relationships among igneous rocks 
B)  fossil content and spatial relationships among sedimentary rocks 
C)  radiometric dating of igneous rocks 
D)  radiometric dating of sedimentary rocks

Question 11

Basaltic clasts within the conglomerate have been radiometrically dated to 50 million years ago (Eocene Epoch of the Tertiary Period).Is this a reliable age for the conglomerate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. 
B)  No, this age is likely too old. 
C)  No, this age is likely too young. 
D)  No, basalt never contains minerals bearing radioactive isotopes. 
A)  Yes. 
B)  No, this age is likely too old. 
C)  No, this age is likely too young. 
D)  No, basalt never contains minerals bearing radioactive isotopes.

Question 12

When an unstable isotope decays,the daughter isotope that results is always a stable isotope.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Concerning relative ages of the shale and sandstone,____________.

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 components 
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 components 
D)  their relative ages cannot be determined from the information given

Question 14

Which statement about contact #3 is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  It and contact #2 once formed a continuous unconformity. 
B)  It was once elevated farther above contact #2, but faulting has brought them closer together. 
C)  It presents an example of an angular unconformity. 
D)  It must be younger than the conglomerate, due to the principle of baked contacts. 
A)  It and contact #2 once formed a continuous unconformity. 
B)  It was once elevated farther above contact #2, but faulting has brought them closer together. 
C)  It presents an example of an angular unconformity. 
D)  It must be younger than the conglomerate, due to the principle of baked contacts.

Question 15

Concerning the relative ages of the basalt and the fault,____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the fault must be older, according to the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
B)  the basalt must be older, according to the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
C)  the basalt must be older, according to the principle of original horizontality 
D)  their relative ages cannot be determined from the information given 
A)  the fault must be older, according to the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
B)  the basalt must be older, according to the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
C)  the basalt must be older, according to the principle of original horizontality 
D)  their relative ages cannot be determined from the information given

Question 16

Within the world's sedimentary rocks,fossils ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  are rarely, if ever, found 
B)  are randomly distributed 
C)  occur in an ordered sequence 
A)  are rarely, if ever, found 
B)  are randomly distributed 
C)  occur in an ordered sequence

Question 17

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 18

The surface below sedimentary rocks that overlie igneous or metamorphic rocks is termed a(n)____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  disconformity 
B)  angular unconformity 
C)  nonconformity 
A)  disconformity 
B)  angular unconformity 
C)  nonconformity

Question 19

Numerical ages for recent geologic events can sometimes be determined by the study of ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  layering (growth lines) in shells 
B)  annual growth rings in trees 
C)  seasonal layering in glacial ice 
D)  all of the above 
A)  layering (growth lines) in shells 
B)  annual growth rings in trees 
C)  seasonal layering in glacial ice 
D)  all of the above

Question 20

Contact #1 is an example of a(n)____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  conformable sedimentary contact 
B)  fault 
C)  baked contact 
D)  unconformity 
A)  conformable sedimentary contact 
B)  fault 
C)  baked contact 
D)  unconformity

Period names on the geologic time scale,such as Devonian and Permian,provide examples of ____________.

As understood by modern geologists,the principle of uniformitarianism implies that ____________.

Which of the following geologic principles is NOT a result of gravity?

Concerning relative ages of the granite and sandstone,____________.

In an unweathered sample of igneous rock,the ratio of an unstable isotope to its stable daughter isotope is 1/15.If no daughters were present at the time the rock cooled below closure temperature,and the half-life of the reaction is 50 million years,how old is the rock?

The basalt body is best described as a ____________.

Contact #3 is both a ____________ at various points.

Which statement best summarizes the development of the geologic time scale?

Which of the following is always the same for multiple isotopes of a single element?

Numerical ages for boundaries between time units on the geologic time scale primarily resulted from the study of ____________,in conjunction with relative age data.

Basaltic clasts within the conglomerate have been radiometrically dated to 50 million years ago (Eocene Epoch of the Tertiary Period).Is this a reliable age for the conglomerate?

When an unstable isotope decays,the daughter isotope that results is always a stable isotope.

Concerning relative ages of the shale and sandstone,____________.

Which statement about contact #3 is correct?

Concerning the relative ages of the basalt and the fault,____________.

Within the world's sedimentary rocks,fossils ____________.

Uniformitarianism is succinctly summarized by which phrase?

The surface below sedimentary rocks that overlie igneous or metamorphic rocks is termed a(n)____________.

Numerical ages for recent geologic events can sometimes be determined by the study of ____________.

Contact #1 is an example of a(n)____________.

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 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 Earth

Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources

Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements

Running Water: the Geology of Streams and Floods

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

Filters

Exam 10: Deep Time: How Old Is Old

Period names on the geologic time scale,such as Devonian and Permian,provide examples of ____________.

As understood by modern geologists,the principle of uniformitarianism implies that ____________.

Which of the following geologic principles is NOT a result of gravity?

Concerning relative ages of the granite and sandstone,____________.

In an unweathered sample of igneous rock,the ratio of an unstable isotope to its stable daughter isotope is 1/15.If no daughters were present at the time the rock cooled below closure temperature,and the half-life of the reaction is 50 million years,how old is the rock?

The basalt body is best described as a ____________.

Contact #3 is both a ____________ at various points.

Which statement best summarizes the development of the geologic time scale?

Which of the following is always the same for multiple isotopes of a single element?

Numerical ages for boundaries between time units on the geologic time scale primarily resulted from the study of ____________,in conjunction with relative age data.

Basaltic clasts within the conglomerate have been radiometrically dated to 50 million years ago (Eocene Epoch of the Tertiary Period).Is this a reliable age for the conglomerate?

When an unstable isotope decays,the daughter isotope that results is always a stable isotope.

Concerning relative ages of the shale and sandstone,____________.

Which statement about contact #3 is correct?

Concerning the relative ages of the basalt and the fault,____________.

Within the world's sedimentary rocks,fossils ____________.

Uniformitarianism is succinctly summarized by which phrase?

The surface below sedimentary rocks that overlie igneous or metamorphic rocks is termed a(n)____________.

Numerical ages for recent geologic events can sometimes be determined by the study of ____________.

Contact #1 is an example of a(n)____________.

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 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 Earth

Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources

Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements

Running Water: the Geology of Streams and Floods

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

Filters