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Questions and Answers
What is geology?
What is geology?
Geology is an Earth science that studies the evolution of the Earth, the materials of which it is made of, and the processes acting upon them.
Which of the following is NOT a method used in geology to study the Earth's surface?
Which of the following is NOT a method used in geology to study the Earth's surface?
What is the name of the supercontinent that existed before Earth's continents drifted apart?
What is the name of the supercontinent that existed before Earth's continents drifted apart?
Pangaea
Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?
Who proposed the Continental Drift Theory?
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The opposing coastlines of continents often fit together, supporting the idea of a past supercontinent.
The opposing coastlines of continents often fit together, supporting the idea of a past supercontinent.
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What are the two main categories of geologic processes?
What are the two main categories of geologic processes?
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Which of the following is NOT an example of an internal (endogenic) process?
Which of the following is NOT an example of an internal (endogenic) process?
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What is the significance of the geologic time scale?
What is the significance of the geologic time scale?
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Geological time categories always have a uniform length of time.
Geological time categories always have a uniform length of time.
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The Precambrian Era is characterized by the presence of well-preserved fossils.
The Precambrian Era is characterized by the presence of well-preserved fossils.
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What is the main geologic event of the Precambrian Era?
What is the main geologic event of the Precambrian Era?
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What is the significance of the orogenic periods in the Precambrian Era?
What is the significance of the orogenic periods in the Precambrian Era?
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What are basement rocks in Ethiopia?
What are basement rocks in Ethiopia?
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The Paleozoic Era is characterized by extensive denudation, reducing mountains to peneplains.
The Paleozoic Era is characterized by extensive denudation, reducing mountains to peneplains.
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Which geologic era witnessed the significant rise of landmass in the Horn of Africa?
Which geologic era witnessed the significant rise of landmass in the Horn of Africa?
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The Mesozoic rocks are not considered to have the greatest potential for oil and gas deposits.
The Mesozoic rocks are not considered to have the greatest potential for oil and gas deposits.
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What are the three major sedimentary formations laid down during the Mesozoic Era?
What are the three major sedimentary formations laid down during the Mesozoic Era?
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What is meant by the term 'transgressing sea'?
What is meant by the term 'transgressing sea'?
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The Cenozoic Era is the least recent of the geologic Eras.
The Cenozoic Era is the least recent of the geologic Eras.
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What are the two significant geologic events of the Cenozoic Era in Ethiopia?
What are the two significant geologic events of the Cenozoic Era in Ethiopia?
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What was the main cause of the uplifting of the Arabo-Ethiopian landmass during the Cenozoic Era?
What was the main cause of the uplifting of the Arabo-Ethiopian landmass during the Cenozoic Era?
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What two geologic processes significantly influenced the formation of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia?
What two geologic processes significantly influenced the formation of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia?
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The Rift Valley is said to be aligned with the movement of Earth's crust in the same direction.
The Rift Valley is said to be aligned with the movement of Earth's crust in the same direction.
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What is the significance of the Quaternary volcanic eruptions in Ethiopia?
What is the significance of the Quaternary volcanic eruptions in Ethiopia?
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What are lacustrine deposits?
What are lacustrine deposits?
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Where is the majority of metallic mineral deposits in Ethiopia found?
Where is the majority of metallic mineral deposits in Ethiopia found?
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Ethiopia's mineral wealth is limited to metallic deposits.
Ethiopia's mineral wealth is limited to metallic deposits.
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Which of the following is NOT a mineral resource found in Ethiopia?
Which of the following is NOT a mineral resource found in Ethiopia?
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What are greenstone belts and why are they significant in terms of mineral deposits in Ethiopia?
What are greenstone belts and why are they significant in terms of mineral deposits in Ethiopia?
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What are the three major greenstone belts in Ethiopia, as identified by the Ethiopian Geological Survey?
What are the three major greenstone belts in Ethiopia, as identified by the Ethiopian Geological Survey?
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What is the geologic significance of the Danakil (Dallol) Depression in Ethiopia?
What is the geologic significance of the Danakil (Dallol) Depression in Ethiopia?
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Which of the following is NOT a widely used material for construction in Ethiopia?
Which of the following is NOT a widely used material for construction in Ethiopia?
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What are some of the potential benefits of developing Ethiopia's mineral resources?
What are some of the potential benefits of developing Ethiopia's mineral resources?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Geology
- Geology studies Earth's evolution, materials, and processes.
- Much of geological understanding relies on inference and clues.
- Methods like geophysics, geochemistry and geochronology provide indirect insights.
Geological Time Scale
- Epochs are the smallest units, encompassing millions of years.
- Periods group epochs together.
- Eras group periods together.
- Eons are the largest units of geological time.
- Divisions often based on geological events (mass extinctions) and evolution.
Age Dating Techniques
- Relative dating: Using fossil content and rock layers to compare ages.
- Absolute dating: Determining precise ages using radioactive decay rates.
Geological Processes and Landforms
- Internal processes (endogenic): Volcanic activity, tectonic movements (folding, faulting, mountain building).
- External processes (exogenic): Weathering, erosion, mass movement.
- Landforms result from interactions of internal and external processes.
Precambrian Era
- This era covers most of Earth's history.
- Orogenesis (mountain building) was a major geologic event.
- Mountain ranges were often reduced by erosion.
- Rocks from this era are often found as basement rock.
- Precambrian rocks make up 25% of the landmass in Ethiopia.
Paleozoic Era
- Dominated by denudation (erosion of mountains).
- Sediment transport to form continental and marine deposits.
- Few well-preserved fossil records.
- Limited deposition in Ethiopia.
Mesozoic Era
- Characterized by alternating uplift and subsidence (epeirogenesis) of landmasses.
- Widespread tilting and downward movement.
- Formation of significant petroleum/gas deposits.
- Deposition of sedimentary rock layers such as sandstone, limestone.
Cenozoic Era
- Major geologic processes:
- Uplifting of the Arabian-Ethiopian landmass.
- Outpouring of large amounts of lava (flood basalts).
- Formation of the Rift Valley.
- Quaternary volcanism and deposition.
Rift Valley Formation
- Associated with plate tectonics, tensional forces lead to fracturing and collapse.
- Resulting structural depressions.
- Affected by faulting, volcanic eruptions, and sediment deposition.
Mineral Resources
- Ethiopia's mineral resources are associated with Precambrian rocks.
- Significant deposits of gold, platinum, tantalum, and niobium are found.
- Other minerals include clay, gypsum, gemstones, etc.
- Exploration has been ongoing for thousands of years.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the basics of geology, including Earth's evolution, geological time scales, and age dating techniques. This quiz covers key concepts like relative and absolute dating, as well as geological processes that shape landforms.
