Geology and Plate Tectonics Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the process called where one tectonic plate slides underneath another?

  • Subduction (correct)
  • Convergence
  • Divergence
  • Transformation

Which type of plate boundary is responsible for the creation of mid-oceanic ridges?

  • Subduction
  • Divergent (correct)
  • Transform
  • Convergent

Which of the following is NOT a feature that can be formed by plate tectonic activity?

  • Mountains
  • Earthquakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Canyons (correct)

When two continental plates collide, what is the primary geological process that occurs?

<p>Folding and faulting (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed when magma or lava cools?

<p>Igneous (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

<p>Compaction and cementation of sediments (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between metamorphic rocks and igneous or sedimentary rocks?

<p>Metamorphic rocks are formed from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can contribute to the formation of metamorphic rocks?

<p>Erosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following geographic factors contributes to a maritime climate?

<p>Proximity to an Ocean (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of dry-climate soils?

<p>Calcification (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following geographic regions of Canada is predominantly inhabited by Aboriginal peoples?

<p>Hudson Bay Arctic Lowlands (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a direct consequence of higher elevation?

<p>Increased air pressure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process that removes nutrients from the soil by excessive water movement?

<p>Leaching (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Innuitian Mountains from the other highland regions in Canada?

<p>Absence of a full-time population (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which option is directly related to the amount of direct sunlight received in a region?

<p>Latitude (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of wet-climate soils that distinguishes them from dry-climate soils?

<p>Dominance of leaching in soil formation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Interior Plains?

<p>It is the largest landform region in Canada. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main geological feature of the Canadian Shield?

<p>Ancient, worn down mountains (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of deposition by ice?

<p>Till plains (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the Canadian Shield?

<p>It covers most of Greenland and a significant portion of Canada, including the Northern territories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why most of the Canadian Shield is not suitable for farming?

<p>Thin, rocky soil and poor drainage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of hydroelectric power in the southern part of the Canadian Shield?

<p>Rivers in the southern part of the Shield (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant impact of glaciation on the Canadian landscape?

<p>Erosion and deposition of materials (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the sedimentary rocks beneath the Interior Plains?

<p>They are essential for the production of oil and natural gas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why trees are taller in the West Coast forest compared to other areas?

<p>The climate is milder and there is more precipitation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the boreal forest?

<p>Fertile soil rich in nutrients. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the difference in height between tall-grass and short-grass prairies?

<p>The tall-grass prairie receives more precipitation, which supports taller grass growth. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between mitigation and adaptation in the context of climate change?

<p>Mitigation deals with the cause of climate change while adaptation deals with the effects of climate change. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a major contributor to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

<p>Increased use of solar and wind energy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the mixed forest?

<p>A transition zone between boreal and deciduous forests. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge faced by the deciduous forest ecosystem?

<p>Extensive clearing for farming and urban development. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?

<p>The absorption and re-radiation of heat by gases in the atmosphere. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of soil condition in Tundra areas prevents water from draining away?

<p>Permafrost (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adaptations do coniferous trees have to survive in cold climates?

<p>Flexible branches to shed snow (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the growing conditions in the Boreal and Taiga forest as one moves further south?

<p>More diverse species and longer growing seasons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of tree requires at least five months with average temperatures above $10^{ ext{o}}C$?

<p>Deciduous trees (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of vegetation is most likely to grow in Tundra regions?

<p>Small shrubs and flowering plants (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable soil property at the surface layer in drier areas?

<p>Rich and dark topsoil (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the decomposition process slower in Tundra soils?

<p>Cold temperatures inhibiting microbial activity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of coniferous trees helps to prevent damage in cold winters?

<p>Waxy needles to retain moisture (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is primarily produced from livestock?

<p>Methane (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the human sources of nitrous oxide?

<p>Burning fossil fuels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a natural source of carbon dioxide?

<p>Decay of organic material (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What has been the average increase in temperature in Canada over the past 60 years?

<p>1.5°C (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which effect is NOT associated with climate change?

<p>More stable weather patterns (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What human activity contributes to the production of hydrofluorocarbons?

<p>Foam insulation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which change is NOT considered a physical effect of climate change?

<p>Increased risk of property loss due to fire (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which greenhouse gas is generated from coal mining?

<p>Methane (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Plate Tectonics

Theory stating that Earth's outer layer is made of moving plates, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and crust formation.

Divergent Plate Boundary

Two plates moving apart, creating new crust. Often occurs at mid-oceanic ridges.

Convergent Plate Boundary

Two plates colliding, resulting in subduction or mountain formation.

Subduction

One plate slides beneath another, recycling crust. Occurs when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate.

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Igneous Rocks

Rocks formed from cooled magma or lava. Cooling can occur underwater or within the Earth's crust.

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Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks formed from compressed and cemented sediments over millions of years.

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Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks transformed from igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks due to heat and pressure.

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Rock Cycle

The process of change between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

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Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands

The area of Canada where most people live, despite covering only 2% of the country's land.

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Hudson Bay Arctic Lowlands

Aboriginal Canadians make up the majority of the population in this remote area.

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Canadian Highlands

A large area surrounding the Hudson Bay Arctic Lowlands.

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Western Cordillera

The westernmost part of the Canadian Highlands.

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Innuitian Mountains

The most remote region of Canada, with no permanent population.

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Appalachian Mountains

An older mountain range, not as high as the Western Cordillera or the Innuitian Mountains.

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Leaching

The process of water carrying nutrients downward through the soil, removing them and making the soil less fertile.

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Wet-climate soil

Soil type common in areas with high rainfall, where leaching is the dominant process.

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What is glaciation?

The process of ice advancing and covering large areas of land. It's a significant force in shaping Canada's landscapes.

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What is an erosional effect of glaciation?

The removal of materials and changes to drainage patterns.

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What is a depositional effect of glaciation?

The deposition of materials, including till plains and moraines.

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What is the Canadian Shield?

An immense area of ancient worn-down mountains. It forms the geological foundation of Canada.

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What is the age and size of the Canadian Shield?

One of the oldest and largest landform regions in Canada, covering more than half of the country.

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What surrounds the Canadian Shield?

An area surrounding the Canadian Shield, composed of three lowlands: Interior Plains, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowlands, and the Hudson Bay Lowlands.

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What is the Interior Plains known for?

One of the two most important agricultural areas in Canada, known for its vast prairies and fertile soil.

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What is the Great Lakes St.Lawrence Lowlands known for?

One of the two most important agricultural areas in Canada, known for its fertile land and proximity to the Great Lakes.

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Tundra Soil

A type of soil found in cold climates, particularly Tundra regions. It contains a large amount of undigested plant matter due to the cold temperatures that inhibit decomposition.

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Permafrost

A layer of soil that remains frozen year-round, typical of Tundra regions. It prevents water from draining, leading to waterlogged conditions.

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Coniferous Trees

Coniferous trees are also known as evergreens because they retain their needle-like leaves throughout the year.

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Deciduous Trees

Deciduous trees are known for their broad leaves that change color in the fall and fall off in winter.

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Tundra Vegetation

A type of vegetation region characterized by extremely harsh conditions for plant growth due to its cold, Arctic climate. Only small trees, shrubs, and low-lying plants can survive here.

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Boreal Forest

A vast forest region covering much of Canada, known for its coniferous trees. As you move southward, conditions improve, resulting in more diverse tree species.

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Active Layer

The layer of soil that thaws during the summer in Tundra regions, allowing for limited plant growth.

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Feedback Loops

Cycles where the output of a process becomes an input back into the same process. This can create a positive or negative feedback loop.

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Grassland

A biome with minimal tree growth due to dryness, featuring tall grasses in wetter areas and shorter grasses in drier areas.

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Mixed Forest

A transition zone between the boreal forest and deciduous forest, with moderate temperatures and transitional soil types.

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Deciduous Forest

A biome with hot summers and mild winters, allowing for a wide variety of tree species, but often cleared for agriculture.

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West Coast Forest

A temperate rainforest with very tall trees, abundant rainfall, and mild temperatures.

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Climate Change Mitigation

The process of reducing the harmful effects of climate change, often referred to as decarbonization.

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Climate Change Adaptation

The process of adapting to the changing conditions caused by climate change.

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Greenhouse Effect

The process where greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, raising global temperatures.

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Global Warming

The gradual increase in Earth's average temperature caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

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Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat energy from the sun, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

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Methane (CH4)

A gas released from the decomposition of organic matter in landfills, livestock farming, and certain industrial processes.

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Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A gas produced from nitrogen-based fertilizers and fossil fuel combustion, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

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Changes in Weather Patterns

Changes in weather patterns, such as increased frequency and intensity of storms, droughts, and heatwaves.

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Loss of Glaciers and Ice Caps

The shrinking of glaciers and ice caps due to rising temperatures, leading to sea level rise and impacting ecosystems.

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Species Displacement and Population Changes

The displacement of species or changes in their populations due to alterations in their habitats and resources caused by climate change.

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Study Notes

Plate Tectonics

  • Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth's outer shell is made up of individual plates that move.
  • These movements cause earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain formation, and crustal destruction.
  • Three types of plate movement exist:
    • Divergent boundaries: Plates move apart, often along mid-ocean ridges (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
    • Convergent boundaries: Plates move towards each other. This can involve subduction (one plate sliding under another) or collision (two plates colliding and creating mountains).
      • Continental-oceanic convergence: Heavier oceanic plate subducts under continental plate.
      • Continental-continental convergence: Collision of two continental plates results in mountain ranges.
    • Transform boundaries: Plates slide past each other, potentially causing earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

Rock Cycle

  • Rocks exist in three forms: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
  • Igneous rocks form when magma or lava cools.
  • Sedimentary rocks form from compacted and cemented sediments.
  • Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are changed by heat and pressure.

Glaciation

  • Glaciation is the process of ice advancing and covering large land areas.
  • Glaciation is a significant factor in shaping Canadian landscapes, impacting landforms through erosion and deposition.
  • Erosional effects involve material removal and changes to drainage patterns.
  • Depositional effects include the formation of till plains and moraines.

Landform Regions of Canada

  • Canada's landforms are categorized into three main types:
    • Canadian Shield: Ancient, worn-down mountains, the oldest landform region.
    • Lowlands: Surround the Canadian Shield, important for agriculture and resources like oil and gas.
      • Interior Plains
      • Great Lakes St. Lawrence Lowlands
      • Hudson Bay Arctic Lowlands.
    • Highlands: Surround the Lowlands, contain mineral resources
      • Western Cordillera
      • Innuitian Mountains
      • Appalachian Mountains.

Climate Factors

  • Latitude: Distance from the equator affects the amount of direct sunlight received.
  • Ocean Currents: Currents moving away from the equator are generally warmer, while those moving towards the equator are cooler.
  • Winds/Air Masses: Air masses over oceans are typically moist, while those over land are often dry.
  • Elevation: Higher elevations experience lower temperatures and decreased pressure.
  • Relief (topography): The shape of the land affects local precipitation (windward vs. leeward).
  • Near water: Areas near oceans generally have milder temperatures (maritime climate) compared to inland areas (continental climate).

Soil

  • Soil profiles consist of layers.
  • Leaching: Removal of nutrients due to water movement.
  • Wet-climate soils: Leaching is the dominant soil forming process.
  • Dry-climate soils: Calcification is dominant. Nutrients move upwards.
  • Tundra soils: Found in extremely cold climates; permafrost soil conditions are common, characterized by an active layer that thaws and refreezes seasonally.

Vegetation Regions

  • Coniferous (Evergreen): Needle-like leaves, waxy needles to prevent water loss, survive in cold climates (e.g., Pine, Spruce).
  • Deciduous: Broad leaves, lose leaves in winter, thrive in milder climates (e.g., Maple, Beech).
  • Tundra: Arctic, limited plant life due to extreme cold, very short growing season.
  • Boreal/Taiga: Large forest regions, longer growing seasons, variety of coniferous trees.
  • Grasslands: Limited tree growth due to dry conditions, various grass species.
  • Mixed Forest: Transition zone between boreal and deciduous forests.

Climate Change

  • Mitigation: Reducing the harmful effects of climate change, often focusing on decarbonization.
  • Adaptation: Responding to changes in the climate, adjusting to new conditions.
  • Greenhouse Effect: The natural warming of the Earth's surface due to heat-trapping gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane).
  • Global Warming: The increase in Earth's temperature due to the enhanced greenhouse effect, primarily caused by human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion.
  • Greenhouse Gases: Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Sources include burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and industrial processes.

Other Factors

  • Melting permafrost: The thawing of permafrost is related to climate change impacts, releasing greenhouse gases.
  • Nitrous oxide: A greenhouse gas. Sources include agriculture, industry processes.
  • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and Perfluorocarbons (PFCs): Synthetic, potent greenhouse gases.
  • Climate Change Effects: Includes changes in temperature, precipitation, weather patterns; impacts forests, wildlife, and human activities (economic and social).

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Test your knowledge on geology and plate tectonics with this comprehensive quiz. Explore key concepts such as plate boundaries, rock formation processes, and the impact of geographic factors on climate. Perfect for students studying Earth Sciences.

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