Deck 1: The Nature of Geology

Question 1

Which of the following is the best description of what the lithosphere contains?

A)continental and oceanic crust
B)both types of crust and the uppermost mantle
C)weak part of the upper mantle
D)upper and lower mantle
E)lower mantle and outer core

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which layer in the earth is similar in composition to basalt,a dark lava rock?

A)continental crust
B)oceanic crust
C)upper mantle
D)lower mantle
E)core

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is probably least at risk for geologic hazards?

A)next to a river in low areas
B)near an active fault
C)on soils that gently expand when wet
D)on gentle slopes away from mountains
E)close to,but upwind of,an active volcano

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Geology can help us learn about Earth's past by studying:

A)why continents and oceans are different
B)why a landscape looks the way it does
C)how life in the past was different than today
D)how global climate has changed since the ice ages
E)all of these

Question 5

What is the most likely reason why a region is higher than adjacent regions?

A)there is a hot spot beneath it
B)the crust is thicker
C)it is underlain by oceanic crust
D)the asthenosphere is hotter
E)the crust is hotter

Question 6

Which layer on this figure is the oceanic crust?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 7

The distribution of natural resources is influenced by the:

A)type of rocks
B)age of the rocks
C)way in which the rocks formed
D)all of these

Question 8

Which potential geologic hazard is NOT represented by a feature on this figure?

A)an earthquake
B)a volcano
C)contaminated groundwater
D)a landslide
E)flood-prone areas

Question 9

Which layer in the earth is similar in composition to an iron-nickel meteorite?

A)continental crust
B)oceanic crust
C)upper mantle
D)lower mantle
E)core

Question 10

Which of the following factors was most important in controlling the distribution of copper mines in the western U.S.versus iron mines in the Great Lakes region?

A)the amount of precipitation (rain and snow)
B)the time of year when precipitation occurs
C)different ages and geologic histories of the rocks
D)the latitude (distance south or north from the equator)

Question 11

Which of the following was mentioned in the opening two-page spread of Chapter 1?

A)oil beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve
B)the scenery of Glacier National Park
C)earthquakes along the San Andres fault
D)oil beneath the Gulf Coast of the United States

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a possible reason for why a region is higher in elevation than adjacent regions?

A)the lithosphere is hotter
B)it has continental crust,but adjacent regions have oceanic crust
C)the crust is thicker
D)the crust is more dense

Question 13

Which of the following geologic aspects influence our lives based on the photograph showing horses and cows on a grassy field?

A)the presence of mountains,which influence the formation of clouds and precipitation
B)the steepness of slopes
C)the availability of water
D)all of these

Question 14

Which layer in the earth is similar to the composition of granite?

A)continental crust
B)oceanic crust
C)upper mantle
D)lower mantle
E)core

Question 15

Which layer in the earth is similar to the green mineral olivine?

A)continental crust
B)oceanic crust
C)mantle
D)core

Question 16

Which of the following Earth layers is the thinnest?

A)oceanic crust
B)upper mantle
C)lower mantle
D)outer core
E)inner core

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a way geology informs us about Earth's past?

A)how the first second of the universe differed from a second today
B)why continents and oceans are different
C)why a landscape looks the way it does today
D)how life in the past was different than today
E)how past global climate was different than today

Question 18

Which layer on this figure is the upper mantle?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 19

The main layers of the Earth in correct order,from the surface moving down,are:

A)upper crust,outer core,inner core,mantle
B)outer core,inner core,upper mantle,lower crust
C)crust,mantle,outer core,inner core
D)upper mantle,lower mantle,inner core,crust

Question 20

Which layer on this figure is the continental crust?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 21

Which arrows in this figure indicates infrared energy,which has been converted from ultraviolet energy?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 22

Which of the following locations would contain large,angular rocks that broke away from bedrock and moved downhill?

A)location 1,along the margins of a glacier
B)location 2,along a steep mountain front
C)location 3,in sand dunes
D)location 4,along a beach
E)location 5,on relatively deep seafloor

Question 23

Which arrows in this figure indicates ultraviolet energy,an external energy source?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 24

Which of the following are ways that the atmosphere interacts with Earth's surface?

A)Liquid water on the surface can evaporate,becoming water vapor in the atmosphere.
B)The atmosphere includes a low percentage of water vapor,most of which comes from the oceans.
C)Earth's atmosphere blocks most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
D)Some energy that strikes the earth is converted into infrared energy.
E)All of these.

Question 25

The principle of isostasy refers to:

A)the difference in the strength of the mantle versus the crust
B)the relationship between regional elevations and thickness of crust
C)how the outer core differs from the inner core
D)how the upper mantle differs from the lower mantle

Question 26

Which of the following is true about processes that affect Earth?

A)Atmospheric pressure is less at sea level than in high mountains.
B)Forces decrease downward within Earth.
C)Forces are imposed on deep rocks from all directions.
D)All heat inside Earth comes from magma.
E)None of these.

Question 27

Which of the following locations would contain a wide variety of sediment,from large angular blocks to fine rock powder,produced from grinding of the rocks?

A)location 1,along the margins of a glacier
B)location 2,along a steep mountain front
C)location 3,in sand dunes
D)location 4,along a beach
E)location 5,on relatively deep seafloor

Question 28

Compared to oceanic crust,continental crust is:

A)thinner
B)more dense
C)lighter in color
D)all of these

Question 29

Which of the following is true about forces and energy imposed on Earth from space?

A)Internal processes within the Moon produce light during the night.
B)Sun's electromagnetic energy is all blocked by Earth's protective atmosphere.
C)Our massive Sun is the only object that exerts a gravitational pull on Earth.
D)All of these.
E)None of these.

Question 30

Based on this topographic profile across the central United States,which region probably has the thickest crust?

A)Colorado Rockies
B)Great Plains
C)Mississippi River
D)Appalachian Mountains
E)East Coast

Question 31

Which of the following is true about gravity?

A)Gravity of the Sun and Moon exert a pull on Earth.
B)The mass of the Earth causes a downward pull on objects on Earth.
C)Gravity causes ice,water,and rocks to move downhill.
D)All of these.

Question 32

Based on this topographic profile across the central United States,which region probably has the thinnest crust?

A)Colorado Rockies
B)Great Plains
C)Mississippi River
D)Appalachian Mountains
E)East Coast

Question 33

Based on this topographic profile across the central United States,which region probably has neither the thinnest nor thickest crust?

A)Colorado Rockies
B)Mississippi River
C)East Coast

Question 34

Which arrows in this figure indicates evaporation?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 35

Which of the following locations would contain sand,rounded stones,and broken shells?

A)location 1,along the margins of a glacier
B)location 2,along a steep mountain front
C)location 3,in sand dunes
D)location 4,along a beach
E)location 5,on relatively deep seafloor

Question 36

The main difference between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere is the:

A)asthenosphere is less rigid
B)asthenosphere flows less easily
C)asthenosphere is cooler
D)asthenosphere has more oceanic crust
E)asthenosphere has more continental crust

Question 37

Which layer on this figure is the outer core?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D
E)E

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT an important difference between continents and oceans?

A)thickness of the crust
B)composition of the crust
C)density of the crust
D)whether it is part of the lithosphere
E)elevation

Question 39

Which of the following combinations would result in the highest regional elevations?

A)thin,dense crust
B)thick,dense crust
C)thin,less dense crust
D)thick,less dense crust

Question 40

Which of the following Earth layers is the thickest?

A)continental crust
B)oceanic crust
C)mantle
D)outer core

Question 41

Which of the following locations would contain mud and the remains of small creatures?

A)location 1,along the margins of a glacier
B)location 2,along a steep mountain front
C)location 3,in sand dunes
D)location 4,along a beach
E)location 5,on relatively deep seafloor

Question 42

Which of the following best indicates a location where sediment is transported?

A)location 1
B)location 2
C)location 3
D)location 4

Question 43

Which of the following surface environments is the most likely site for deposits in this photograph?

A)steep mountain front
B)river channel
C)sand dunes
D)beach
E)lake

Question 44

Which of the following does NOT list processes in an order consistent with a logical progression through the rock cycle?

A)weathering,erosion,deposition
B)solidification,melting,burial
C)erosion,deposition,burial
D)uplift,weathering,erosion
E)burial,metamorphism,melting

Question 45

Which of the following surface environments is the most likely site for deposits in this photograph?

A)steep mountain front
B)glacier
C)sand dunes
D)beach
E)lake

Question 46

Which of the following settings would result in the formation of igneous rocks?

A)location 1
B)location 2
C)location 3
D)location 4

Question 47

According to the rock cycle,sediment that is being transported by a river could become a metamorphic rock after:

A)uplift and weathering
B)melting and solidification
C)deposition and burial
D)solidification and uplift

Question 48

Which of the following locations would form an igneous rock?

A)locations 1 and 2
B)locations 2 and 3
C)locations 3 and 4
D)locations 1,2,and 3
E)locations 5 and 6

Question 49

What type of rock would the materials shown in this photograph produce?

A)sedimentary
B)igneous
C)metamorphic
D)hydrothermal

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a typical environment in which a sedimentary rock forms?

A)beside glaciers
B)river channels
C)heating next to a magma
D)deep seafloor
E)shoreline of a lake

Question 51

Which of the following locations would form a hydrothermal rock?

A)location 1
B)location 2
C)location 3
D)location 4
E)locations 2 and 3

Question 52

Which of the following locations would most likely contain a high percentage of sand?

A)location 2,along a steep mountain front
B)location 3,in sand dunes
C)location 4,along a beach
D)locations 2 and 3
E)locations 3 and 4

Question 53

Which of the following locations would have weathering of bedrock or loose sediment?

A)location 1
B)location 2
C)location 3
D)location 4
E)locations 1 and 2

Question 54

Uplift can occur during the rock cycle:

A)only after deformation and metamorphism
B)only after melting and solidification
C)only after metamorphism or solidification
D)at any point after burial

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT an environment in which an igneous rock forms?

A)explosive eruption of volcanic ash
B)cooling and solidification of lava
C)solidification of magma at depth
D)intense squeezing from tectonic forces
E)all of these are environments that form igneous rock

Question 56

Which of the following locations would form a metamorphic rock?

A)locations 1 and 2
B)locations 2 and 3
C)locations 3 and 4
D)locations 1,2,and 3
E)locations 5 and 6

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT one of the main families of rocks?

A)sedimentary
B)igneous
C)metamorphic
D)meteorites

Question 58

Which of the following locations would most likely contain large,angular rocks?

A)location 1,along the margins of a glacier
B)location 2,along a steep mountain front
C)location 3,in sand dunes
D)locations 1 and 2
E)locations 2 and 3

Question 59

Which of the following best indicates a location where sediment is deposited but not eroded?

A)location 1
B)location 2
C)location 3
D)location 4

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a typical environment in which a metamorphic rock forms?

A)solidification of lava
B)heating adjacent to underground magma
C)squeezing by tectonic forces
D)burial to great depths

Question 61

Which of the following is considered one of the outer planets?

A)Mars
B)Jupiter
C)Venus
D)Moon
E)none of these

Question 62

Which of the following is a way that geology influences Rapid City and areas of the Black Hills,either presently or in the past?

A)flooding along creeks that drain the Black Hills
B)tilted rock layers that control the steepness of slopes
C)tourism from presidents' faces chiseled into granite
D)large gold deposits
E)all of these

Question 63

Of Earth's four overlapping spheres,which of the following does NOT involve material above Earth's surface?

A)atmosphere
B)lithosphere
C)biosphere
D)hydrosphere

Question 64

Choose appropriate way(s)that hot springs might impact people living nearby:

A)provides geothermal power
B)enables easy transportation of goods
C)increases likelihood of earthquakes

Question 65

Which of the features labeled on the accompanying figure was discussed as a possible source of earthquakes?

A)the cliff at A
B)the volcano at B
C)pumping of the oil field at C
D)shaking during large floods at D
E)landslides off the mountains at E

Question 66

Which of the following geologic hazards was NOT discussed for the area around St.George,Utah?

A)volcanic eruptions
B)earthquakes from a fault along the Hurricane cliffs
C)flooding from the main river
D)flash flooding from the mountains
E)all of these were discussed

Question 67

Choose appropriate way(s)that steep cliffs might impact people living nearby:

A)easy to build houses on steep cliffs
B)favorable location for livestock grazing
C)increases area available to grow crops
D)increases landslide hazard

Question 68

Which of the following is NOT a way(s)that an oil field might impact people living nearby:

A)increasing job opportunities
B)improving the local economy
C)increasing likelihood of volcanic eruptions
D)increasing likelihood of an oil spill

Question 69

The largest object in the solar system is:

A)Earth
B)the Earth's Moon
C)Saturn
D)Jupiter
E)the Sun

Question 70

Which of the following is NOT true about how water moves on our planet?

A)Rainfall can coat rocks and soil with a thin film of water,helping them to weather.
B)Moving water and its sediment can erode into solid rock,sculpting Earth's surface.
C)Groundwater typically rises towards higher areas where it emerges as springs.
D)Wind causes waves in the oceans and helps guide ocean currents.
E)Glaciers can transport sediment and carve the underlying landscape.

Question 71

Which of the following geologic resources was discussed for the area around St.George,Utah?

A)oil field
B)floodplains with fertile soils
C)a large cement plant
D)all of these
E)a and b only

Question 72

Compared to the outer planets in our solar system,the inner planets are:

A)larger
B)contain more gas
C)rocky and so are called terrestrial planets
D)have better developed planetary rings
E)none of these

Question 73

A dry climate might impact how people live by increasing:

A)the risk of drought and other water shortages
B)irrigation needs
C)the likelihood of volcanic activity
D)the likelihood of earthquakes
E)both a and b

Question 74

The main cause of the Rapid City flood of 1972 was:

A)rapid melting of glaciers in the Black Hills because of global warming
B)failure of a dam because of a large landslide into the reservoir
C)poor design and poor construction of a large concrete dam
D)intense rainfall from a thunderstorm that resulted in a flash flood
E)all of these

Question 75

Choose appropriate way(s)that volcanoes might impact people living nearby:

A)Releases steam and noxious gases into the atmosphere.
B)Volcanic ash provides fertile sediment for growing crops.
C)Ash ejected into the atmosphere blocks sunlight.
D)Projectiles thrown into the air can hit your house.
E)All of these impact people living nearby.

Question 76

Of Earth's four overlapping spheres,which of the following is (are)mostly between the lithosphere and atmosphere?

A)atmosphere
B)lithosphere
C)biosphere
D)hydrosphere
E)both the biosphere and hydrosphere

Question 77

Rainfall in mountain ranges might impact people living nearby by:

A)increasing erosion in mountains
B)increasing flooding hazards
C)increasing mudslide hazards
D)water flowing into streams and rivers,increasing water supply
E)all of these