Cumulative Exam Flashcards

Questions and Answers

In which era did mammals emerge?

Cenozoic

Which is a difference between the Paleozoic and Mesozoic era?

Animal complexity increased during the Paleozoic while the first flowering plants appeared in the Mesozoic era.

What describes what is gained or lost during radioactive decay?

Atoms lose smaller particles.

Which measurement do geologists use to find the absolute age of once-living things?

amount of carbon-14 and nitrogen-14 in the remains Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the geologic features?

D occurred after B. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fossil is formed by sediments and found in sedimentary rock?

mold of a fish Signup and view all the answers

Which statement explains what similar fossils found on distant continents suggest about Earth's history?

The continents have moved over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is one characteristic of topographic maps?

contain contour lines to display elevation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes one feature that maps and globes share?

Both are scale models. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes the location of Antarctica?

on the prime meridian Signup and view all the answers

Which materials are moved by runoff?

nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Which action can humans take to reduce wave erosion?

build breakwaters in the ocean Signup and view all the answers

Which statement explains what happens to sediment during deposition?

It is released from a transporting medium. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mass movement is the most destructive?

landslide Signup and view all the answers

What term describes weathering?

breaks down rock Signup and view all the answers

How do rock types contribute to the rate of weathering?

Porous minerals weather faster. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes the formation of the Hawaiian Islands?

formed in the middle of a plate Signup and view all the answers

Which describes pressure during a volcanic eruption?

Pressure traps dissolved gases in magma. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes earthquakes?

They release energy. Signup and view all the answers

How are S waves and surface waves similar?

Both arrive after P waves. Signup and view all the answers

By which mechanism does older oceanic rock move at a ridge?

New molten material rises and moves the rock. Signup and view all the answers

Which discovery did scientists make at mid-ocean ridges that caused them to conclude that new rock was being formed by molten material?

pillow-shaped rocks Signup and view all the answers

At which point is subduction occurring?

4 Signup and view all the answers

At which point is crust neither created nor destroyed?

transform boundary Signup and view all the answers

Which two large landmasses formed when Pangaea first started to separate?

Laurasia and Gondwanaland Signup and view all the answers

Which explanation provides support for continental drift theory?

Coal fields match up across continents. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrases describe S waves?

behave like a ripple Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates a method to show differences among Earth's layers?

Eliza analyzes seismic wave activity from an earthquake using a computer model. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes these rocks?

Both rocks are non-foliated. Signup and view all the answers

Existing rocks are buried and forced toward the mantle, increasing heat and pressure. This is the first step in the formation of metamorphic rocks. What best describes the next step in the formation of metamorphic rocks?

Magma pockets rise, which increases heat, and minerals change due to temperature and pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Which is one characteristic that is used to identify types of metamorphic rocks?

grain arrangement Signup and view all the answers

Which process of sedimentary rock formation occurs last?

cementation Signup and view all the answers

Which rock is an example of an organic sedimentary rock?

limestone Signup and view all the answers

Which describes a feature of extrusive igneous rocks after formation?

have a fine texture Signup and view all the answers

An igneous rock has large red, black, and green crystals. How else can this rock be accurately described?

intrusive origin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Geologic Eras and Features

Mammals emerged during the Cenozoic era.
The Paleozoic era saw an increase in animal complexity, while the Mesozoic era introduced the first flowering plants.

Radioactive Decay and Dating Techniques

During radioactive decay, atoms lose smaller particles.
Geologists determine the absolute age of once-living things by measuring carbon-14 and nitrogen-14 in their remains.

Geological Features and Fossils

Geological features can be analyzed, indicating processes like event D occurring after event B.
A mold of a fish is a type of fossil found in sedimentary rock, formed by sediments.

Continental Movement and Fossil Evidence

Similar fossils found on distant continents imply that the continents have shifted over time.

Maps and Topography

Topographic maps feature contour lines that indicate elevation.
Both maps and globes serve as scale models representing Earth's surface.

Earth's Location and Environmental Factors

Antarctica is located on the prime meridian.
Runoff can transport nutrients, affecting ecosystems.

Erosion and Sediment Movement

Building breakwaters helps humans mitigate wave erosion.
During deposition, sediment is released from a transporting medium.

Mass Movement and Weathering

Landslides are the most destructive form of mass movement.
Weathering breaks down rock, and its rate varies by rock type; porous minerals weather more quickly.

Island Formation and Volcanic Activity

The Hawaiian Islands formed in the middle of a tectonic plate.
Pressure in magma traps dissolved gases, contributing to volcanic eruptions.

Earthquake Dynamics

Earthquakes release energy, and both S waves and surface waves arrive after P waves.

Plate Tectonics

Older oceanic rock moves at a ridge when new molten material rises, displacing it.
Pillow-shaped rocks discovered at mid-ocean ridges indicate the formation of new rock from molten material.

Subduction and Continental Drift

Subduction occurs at specific tectonic boundaries.
Crust is neither created nor destroyed at transform boundaries.
The two landmasses formed when Pangaea began separating are Laurasia and Gondwanaland.

Evidence for Continental Drift

Coal fields matching up across continents support the theory of continental drift.

Seismic Waves and Earth's Layers

S waves behave like ripples, indicating another type of seismic wave behavior.
Analyzing seismic wave activity provides insights into differences among Earth's layers.

Rock Identification and Formation

Non-foliated rocks are characterized by certain features.
The formation of metamorphic rocks begins with rocks being buried and subjected to heat and pressure; magma pockets later rise, changing minerals due to thermal conditions.
Grain arrangement helps identify various types of metamorphic rocks.

Sedimentary Rock Formation

Cementation is the last process in sedimentary rock formation.
Limestone serves as an example of an organic sedimentary rock.

Igneous Rock Characteristics

Extrusive igneous rocks typically have a fine texture.
An igneous rock displaying large red, black, and green crystals can be described as having an intrusive origin.

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Test your knowledge of geological eras and radioactive decay with these flashcards. Each card presents a question that challenges your understanding of key concepts in earth science. Perfect for exam preparation and review!