Question 1

Half the coal used in the United States comes from this extraction process.

Accepted Answer

A)  Strip Mining 
B)  Open-pit Mines 
C)  Tar Fields 
D)  Oil rigs 
E)  Runoff from farms 
A)  Strip Mining 
B)  Open-pit Mines 
C)  Tar Fields 
D)  Oil rigs 
E)  Runoff from farms A

Question 2

Which is not a major category of economic minerals?

Accepted Answer

A)  bauxite 
B)  metal ores 
C)  sand and gravel 
D)  evaporated salt flats 
E)  none of these 
A)  bauxite 
B)  metal ores 
C)  sand and gravel 
D)  evaporated salt flats 
E)  none of these E

Question 3

If metals are deposited in streambeds _____ would probably be used.

Accepted Answer

A)  placer mining 
B)  strip mining 
C)  underground mining 
D)  spoil bank mining 
E)  open-pit mining. 
A)  placer mining 
B)  strip mining 
C)  underground mining 
D)  spoil bank mining 
E)  open-pit mining. A

Question 4

The "ring of fire" is the source of more earthquakes and volcanic activity than any other place on earth. What causes the ring of fire?

Accepted Answer

A)  the subduction of Pacific plates under continental plates 
B)  the drift of Europe and Africa away from the Americas 
C)  the collision of two continental plates 
D)  mid-oceanic ridges 
E)  Earthquakes. 
A)  the subduction of Pacific plates under continental plates 
B)  the drift of Europe and Africa away from the Americas 
C)  the collision of two continental plates 
D)  mid-oceanic ridges 
E)  Earthquakes.

Question 5

Which of the following would you not use to classify a rock you found on a recent hike?

Accepted Answer

A)  chemical composition. 
B)  physical properties. 
C)  internal structure. 
D)  mode of formation. 
E)  color. 
A)  chemical composition. 
B)  physical properties. 
C)  internal structure. 
D)  mode of formation. 
E)  color.

Question 6

The need for extraction of raw metals for making steel has been reduced due to the

Accepted Answer

A)  increase in the number of smelters. 
B)  increase in minimills. 
C)  decrease in demand for steel. 
D)  decrease in amount of ore used to produce high quality steel. 
E)  increase in legislation and regulation for the extraction of raw materials. 
A)  increase in the number of smelters. 
B)  increase in minimills. 
C)  decrease in demand for steel. 
D)  decrease in amount of ore used to produce high quality steel. 
E)  increase in legislation and regulation for the extraction of raw materials.

Question 7

Starting at the Earth's surface and going towards the center of the Earth, what is the correct order of Earth's layers that make up the Mantle?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lithosphere, Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere 
B)  Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere, Crust 
C)  Crust, Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere 
D)  Crust, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere 
E)  Crust, Uppermost Mantle, Lowermost Mantle 
A)  Lithosphere, Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere 
B)  Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere, Crust 
C)  Crust, Uppermost Mantle, Asthenosphere 
D)  Crust, Lithosphere, Asthenosphere 
E)  Crust, Uppermost Mantle, Lowermost Mantle

Question 8

Rocks are _______ in the process called the rock cycle.

Accepted Answer

A)  moved from place to place 
B)  incorporated into living organisms 
C)  broken down and converted to new types of rock 
D)  transported as in the hydrologic cycle 
E)  reorganized without any changes in mineral composition 
A)  moved from place to place 
B)  incorporated into living organisms 
C)  broken down and converted to new types of rock 
D)  transported as in the hydrologic cycle 
E)  reorganized without any changes in mineral composition

Question 9

A major environmental implication of the quest for more gold at lower concentrations in the ore compared to higher concentrations is that

Accepted Answer

A)  about the same amount of toxic gas is released from digging out the gold. 
B)  less waste rock is produced. 
C)  less material has to be moved to get to the gold. 
D)  more carbon dioxide is released as the gold is mined. 
E)  more material has to be moved to get to the gold. 
A)  about the same amount of toxic gas is released from digging out the gold. 
B)  less waste rock is produced. 
C)  less material has to be moved to get to the gold. 
D)  more carbon dioxide is released as the gold is mined. 
E)  more material has to be moved to get to the gold.

Question 10

________ in the mantle and core make tectonic plates move.

Accepted Answer

A)  Conduction movements 
B)  Earthquakes 
C)  Radioactive decay 
D)  Convection currents 
E)  Conduction currents 
A)  Conduction movements 
B)  Earthquakes 
C)  Radioactive decay 
D)  Convection currents 
E)  Conduction currents

Question 11

What gas is released in the process of smelting?

Accepted Answer

A)  carbon monoxide 
B)  chlorine 
C)  sulfur dioxide 
D)  ammonia 
E)  ozone 
A)  carbon monoxide 
B)  chlorine 
C)  sulfur dioxide 
D)  ammonia 
E)  ozone

Question 12

Rock formed from magma extruded to the surface through volcanic vents is classified as

Accepted Answer

A)  sedimentary. 
B)  igneous. 
C)  metamorphic. 
D)  weathered rock. 
E)  lava. 
A)  sedimentary. 
B)  igneous. 
C)  metamorphic. 
D)  weathered rock. 
E)  lava.

Question 13

Why would the environmental degradation associated with mining be a low priority for a less-developed country?

Accepted Answer

A)  The country relies on the export of a mineral for the majority of their foreign exchange. 
B)  There is usually a smaller population, so that environmental consequences are of less importance. 
C)  Less-developed countries are more likely to import minerals so environmental degradation is not as important to them. 
D)  The environmental impact of mining is low. 
E)  Environmental degradation is usually not concern for residents of less-developed countries. 
A)  The country relies on the export of a mineral for the majority of their foreign exchange. 
B)  There is usually a smaller population, so that environmental consequences are of less importance. 
C)  Less-developed countries are more likely to import minerals so environmental degradation is not as important to them. 
D)  The environmental impact of mining is low. 
E)  Environmental degradation is usually not concern for residents of less-developed countries.

Question 14

Coal would be obtained through

Accepted Answer

A)  drilling a well. 
B)  mountain-top removal. 
C)  fracking. 
D)  heap-leach extraction. 
A)  drilling a well. 
B)  mountain-top removal. 
C)  fracking. 
D)  heap-leach extraction.

Question 15

Building and farming on a flood plain decreases the land's ability to absorb flood waters.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Heap-leach extraction involves piling crushed ore into large piles and spraying it with ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  an alkaline-cyanide solution 
B)  concentrated salt water 
C)  high-pressure steam 
D)  giant sandblasters 
E)  none of these are correct. 
A)  an alkaline-cyanide solution 
B)  concentrated salt water 
C)  high-pressure steam 
D)  giant sandblasters 
E)  none of these are correct.

Question 17

Metamorphic rocks are produced when rocks are

Accepted Answer

A)  chemically weathered. 
B)  formed by heat and pressure. 
C)  physically broken down. 
D)  melted in the mantle and emitted as lava. 
E)  recrystallized through chemical processes. 
A)  chemically weathered. 
B)  formed by heat and pressure. 
C)  physically broken down. 
D)  melted in the mantle and emitted as lava. 
E)  recrystallized through chemical processes.

Question 18

The continental crust of the earth is _____________ while the oceanic crust is _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  similar in composition to the outer core; thicker and lighter than the continental crust 
B)  thicker and lighter than the oceanic crust; similar in composition to the mantle 
C)  similar in composition to the mantle; thicker and lighter than the continental crust 
D)  similar in composition to the outer core; similar in composition to the mantle 
E)  thicker and lighter than the oceanic crust; similar in composition to the inner core 
A)  similar in composition to the outer core; thicker and lighter than the continental crust 
B)  thicker and lighter than the oceanic crust; similar in composition to the mantle 
C)  similar in composition to the mantle; thicker and lighter than the continental crust 
D)  similar in composition to the outer core; similar in composition to the mantle 
E)  thicker and lighter than the oceanic crust; similar in composition to the inner core

Question 19

Problems associated with gemstones and precious metals such as gold and diamonds would not be attributed to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are often used to finance violent civil wars. 
B)  They are often used to finance terrorism. 
C)  Their extraction often involves slave labor and torture. 
D)  Their extraction often involves environmental destruction. 
E)  Their distribution to developed nations is often banned. 
A)  They are often used to finance violent civil wars. 
B)  They are often used to finance terrorism. 
C)  Their extraction often involves slave labor and torture. 
D)  Their extraction often involves environmental destruction. 
E)  Their distribution to developed nations is often banned.

Question 20

The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  iron 
B)  silicon 
C)  oxygen 
D)  aluminum 
E)  hydrogen 
A)  iron 
B)  silicon 
C)  oxygen 
D)  aluminum 
E)  hydrogen

Half the coal used in the United States comes from this extraction process.

Which is not a major category of economic minerals?

If metals are deposited in streambeds _____ would probably be used.

The "ring of fire" is the source of more earthquakes and volcanic activity than any other place on earth. What causes the ring of fire?

Which of the following would you not use to classify a rock you found on a recent hike?

The need for extraction of raw metals for making steel has been reduced due to the

Starting at the Earth's surface and going towards the center of the Earth, what is the correct order of Earth's layers that make up the Mantle?

Rocks are _______ in the process called the rock cycle.

A major environmental implication of the quest for more gold at lower concentrations in the ore compared to higher concentrations is that

________ in the mantle and core make tectonic plates move.

What gas is released in the process of smelting?

Rock formed from magma extruded to the surface through volcanic vents is classified as

Why would the environmental degradation associated with mining be a low priority for a less-developed country?

Coal would be obtained through

Building and farming on a flood plain decreases the land's ability to absorb flood waters.

Heap-leach extraction involves piling crushed ore into large piles and spraying it with ________________.

Metamorphic rocks are produced when rocks are

The continental crust of the earth is _ while the oceanic crust is _.

Problems associated with gemstones and precious metals such as gold and diamonds would not be attributed to which of the following?

The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is _________.

Understanding Our Environment

Environmental Systems: Matter and Energy of Life

Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities

Human Populations

Biomes and Biodiversity

Environmental Conservation: Forests, Grasslands, Parks, and Nature Preserves

Food and Agriculture

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Climate

Air Pollution

Water: Resources and Pollution

Energy

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Economics and Urbanization

Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Filters

Exam 12: Environmental Geology and Earth Resources

Half the coal used in the United States comes from this extraction process.

Which is not a major category of economic minerals?

If metals are deposited in streambeds _____ would probably be used.

The "ring of fire" is the source of more earthquakes and volcanic activity than any other place on earth. What causes the ring of fire?

Which of the following would you not use to classify a rock you found on a recent hike?

The need for extraction of raw metals for making steel has been reduced due to the

Starting at the Earth's surface and going towards the center of the Earth, what is the correct order of Earth's layers that make up the Mantle?

Rocks are _______ in the process called the rock cycle.

A major environmental implication of the quest for more gold at lower concentrations in the ore compared to higher concentrations is that

________ in the mantle and core make tectonic plates move.

What gas is released in the process of smelting?

Rock formed from magma extruded to the surface through volcanic vents is classified as

Why would the environmental degradation associated with mining be a low priority for a less-developed country?

Coal would be obtained through

Building and farming on a flood plain decreases the land's ability to absorb flood waters.

Heap-leach extraction involves piling crushed ore into large piles and spraying it with ________________.

Metamorphic rocks are produced when rocks are

The continental crust of the earth is _____________ while the oceanic crust is _____________.

Problems associated with gemstones and precious metals such as gold and diamonds would not be attributed to which of the following?

The most abundant element in the Earth's crust is _________.

Understanding Our Environment

Environmental Systems: Matter and Energy of Life

Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities

Human Populations

Biomes and Biodiversity

Environmental Conservation: Forests, Grasslands, Parks, and Nature Preserves

Food and Agriculture

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Climate

Air Pollution

Water: Resources and Pollution

Energy

Solid and Hazardous Waste

Economics and Urbanization

Environmental Policy and Sustainability

Filters

The continental crust of the earth is _ while the oceanic crust is _.