Question 1

Which rock type does not have a strong affinity for radioactive elements?

Accepted Answer

A)  felsic igneous 
B)  mafic igneous 
C)  sedimentary 
D)  metamorphic 
A)  felsic igneous 
B)  mafic igneous 
C)  sedimentary 
D)  metamorphic

Question 2

Approximately what percentage of Earth's radius have geologists studied to date?

Accepted Answer

A)  1% 
B)  5% 
C)  10% 
D)  90% 
A)  1% 
B)  5% 
C)  10% 
D)  90%

Question 3

The location on Earth's surface, directly above the focus, is called the

Accepted Answer

A)  tsunami. 
B)  seismic center. 
C)  epicenter. 
D)  surface focus. 
A)  tsunami. 
B)  seismic center. 
C)  epicenter. 
D)  surface focus.

Question 4

The curiously low seismic velocities observed in some places above the core-mantle boundary might be explained by

Accepted Answer

A)  a small degree of melting in that area. 
B)  an anomalous rock type in that area. 
C)  a magnetic belt of rock in that area. 
D)  increased density in that area. 
A)  a small degree of melting in that area. 
B)  an anomalous rock type in that area. 
C)  a magnetic belt of rock in that area. 
D)  increased density in that area.

Question 5

What was the astronomer Eratosthenes responsible for?

Accepted Answer

A)  calculating that a rotating planet would not be perfectly spherical 
B)  determining the mass of Earth 
C)  determining that the Earth has a distinct concentration of high-density material near the center 
D)  using simple surveying and measurements of shadows in sunlight to estimate Earth's size 
A)  calculating that a rotating planet would not be perfectly spherical 
B)  determining the mass of Earth 
C)  determining that the Earth has a distinct concentration of high-density material near the center 
D)  using simple surveying and measurements of shadows in sunlight to estimate Earth's size

Question 6

The body waves that can only pass through solids are

Accepted Answer

A)  primary (P) waves. 
B)  tertiary (T) waves. 
C)  secondary (S) waves. 
D)  quaternary (Q) waves. 
A)  primary (P) waves. 
B)  tertiary (T) waves. 
C)  secondary (S) waves. 
D)  quaternary (Q) waves.

Question 7

Oceanic crustal rocks and continental crustal rocks occurring at the same depth have similar compositions but different mineralogies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

P- and S-wave shadow zones begin at locations that are 98 degrees around the globe in all directions from an epicenter which corresponds to a depth near the boundary between

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

What was the reason for installing a worldwide network of seismometers in the 1950s and 1960s?

Accepted Answer

A)  to save human lives by predicting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes 
B)  to study plate tectonic theory 
C)  to monitor underground nuclear bomb testing 
D)  to study mine blasts 
A)  to save human lives by predicting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes 
B)  to study plate tectonic theory 
C)  to monitor underground nuclear bomb testing 
D)  to study mine blasts

Question 10

Stretching clay and having it not return it to its original shape when the force is removed is an example of ________ deformation.

Accepted Answer

A)  elastic 
B)  plastic 
C)  clay 
D)  brittle 
A)  elastic 
B)  plastic 
C)  clay 
D)  brittle

Question 11

Due to the nature of the movement of a wave, which wave produces the most earthquake damage?

Accepted Answer

A)  P-waves 
B)  S-waves 
C)  body waves 
D)  surface waves 
A)  P-waves 
B)  S-waves 
C)  body waves 
D)  surface waves

Question 12

At conditions within Earth's mantle, the increase in mineral density due to increasing pressure is ________ the decrease in mineral density due to increasing pressure.

Accepted Answer

A)  greater than 
B)  less than 
C)  equal to 
D)  unrelated to 
A)  greater than 
B)  less than 
C)  equal to 
D)  unrelated to

Question 13

Two rock types that have been studied in the laboratory to determine likely temperatures at depth in the mantle are

Accepted Answer

A)  peridotite and olivine. 
B)  diamond-bearing rocks and olivine. 
C)  peridotite and diamond-bearing rocks. 
D)  basalt and peridotite. 
A)  peridotite and olivine. 
B)  diamond-bearing rocks and olivine. 
C)  peridotite and diamond-bearing rocks. 
D)  basalt and peridotite.

Question 14

The average Earth density is ________ the mantle density.

Accepted Answer

A)  unrelated to 
B)  equal to 
C)  less than 
D)  greater than 
A)  unrelated to 
B)  equal to 
C)  less than 
D)  greater than

Question 15

What process explains the appearance of a mountain range of gabbro and basalt in a region largely covered with limestone?

Accepted Answer

A)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt were pushed up by tectonic action afterward. 
B)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt, which formed in a river valley after the limestone, were pushed up to the surface. 
C)  The gabbro and basalt formed by igneous processes, and the limestone formed on the lower areas after the gabbro and basalt were pushed into a mountain range. 
D)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt formed by volcanic action afterward. 
A)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt were pushed up by tectonic action afterward. 
B)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt, which formed in a river valley after the limestone, were pushed up to the surface. 
C)  The gabbro and basalt formed by igneous processes, and the limestone formed on the lower areas after the gabbro and basalt were pushed into a mountain range. 
D)  The limestone formed at the bottom of the sea and the gabbro and basalt formed by volcanic action afterward.

Question 16

A considerable variation in seismic wave velocity in the crust occurs because

Accepted Answer

A)  there are different types of rocks in the crust. 
B)  waves move slower the deeper they travel. 
C)  waves move faster the deeper they travel. 
D)  oceans, caves, karst regions, and underground waterways inhibit wave movement. 
A)  there are different types of rocks in the crust. 
B)  waves move slower the deeper they travel. 
C)  waves move faster the deeper they travel. 
D)  oceans, caves, karst regions, and underground waterways inhibit wave movement.

Question 17

Where is water movement the greatest in an ocean wave?

Accepted Answer

A)  at the surface 
B)  1 m below the surface 
C)  10 m below the surface 
D)  15 m below the surface 
A)  at the surface 
B)  1 m below the surface 
C)  10 m below the surface 
D)  15 m below the surface

Question 18

Other than natural seismic waves, what kinds of things create seismic waves that scientists study?

Accepted Answer

Scientists gain knowledge about seismic

Question 19

Secondary (S) waves have all of the following characteristics except

Accepted Answer

A)  causes alternating squeezing and stretching of the material as the wave passes. 
B)  body wave. 
C)  arrives second at seismic stations. 
D)  can't pass through gases and liquids. 
A)  causes alternating squeezing and stretching of the material as the wave passes. 
B)  body wave. 
C)  arrives second at seismic stations. 
D)  can't pass through gases and liquids.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a reason that temperature increases with depth?

Accepted Answer

A)  The outer surface of the planet cools by radiating heat. 
B)  Denser inner rock types hold more heat than less dense crustal rocks. 
C)  Heat conducts outward from the core into the lower mantle. 
D)  Rocks heat up when pressure increases. 
A)  The outer surface of the planet cools by radiating heat. 
B)  Denser inner rock types hold more heat than less dense crustal rocks. 
C)  Heat conducts outward from the core into the lower mantle. 
D)  Rocks heat up when pressure increases.

Exam 8: Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Which rock type does not have a strong affinity for radioactive elements?

Approximately what percentage of Earth's radius have geologists studied to date?

The location on Earth's surface, directly above the focus, is called the

The curiously low seismic velocities observed in some places above the core-mantle boundary might be explained by

What was the astronomer Eratosthenes responsible for?

The body waves that can only pass through solids are

Oceanic crustal rocks and continental crustal rocks occurring at the same depth have similar compositions but different mineralogies.

P- and S-wave shadow zones begin at locations that are 98 degrees around the globe in all directions from an epicenter which corresponds to a depth near the boundary between

What was the reason for installing a worldwide network of seismometers in the 1950s and 1960s?

Stretching clay and having it not return it to its original shape when the force is removed is an example of ________ deformation.

Due to the nature of the movement of a wave, which wave produces the most earthquake damage?

At conditions within Earth's mantle, the increase in mineral density due to increasing pressure is ________ the decrease in mineral density due to increasing pressure.

Two rock types that have been studied in the laboratory to determine likely temperatures at depth in the mantle are

The average Earth density is ________ the mantle density.

What process explains the appearance of a mountain range of gabbro and basalt in a region largely covered with limestone?

A considerable variation in seismic wave velocity in the crust occurs because

Where is water movement the greatest in an ocean wave?

Other than natural seismic waves, what kinds of things create seismic waves that scientists study?

Secondary (S) waves have all of the following characteristics except

Which of the following is not a reason that temperature increases with depth?

Why Study Earth

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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