Physical and Structural Geology Exam

Which geologic feature is formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, leading to the creation of new crust?

The Soil Profile is a uniform layer of earth material with consistent properties throughout.

Which of the following poses a significant threat to water resources due to human activities?

What geological term refers to a large volcanic depression, typically formed by the collapse of a volcano after a major eruption?

Primary Structures in geology refer exclusively to man-made constructions affecting the Earth's surface.

Which term refers to the ordered sequence of mineral crystallization from a cooling magma, as described by Norman L. Bowen?

Briefly describe how seismic waves are used to study the Earth's interior?

Describe the specific role of Stratigraphy in understanding Earth’s history.

Which of the following is NOT a direct evidence of plate tectonics?

Match the plate boundary type with its characteristic feature:

Which of the following factors does NOT significantly influence the weathering rate of rocks?

What is an unconformity in geological terms?

Define rock porosity and rock permeability, and explain how they differ.

Artesian basins require a confined aquifer, an impermeable layer above and below, and a source of recharge at a higher elevation.

List and briefly describe three different types of mass wasting.

Which of these is a feature associated with glacial erosion?

Which geological structure is formed by brittle deformation?

Describe the key differences between normal, reverse, and strike-slip faults.

Explain the relationship between stress, strain, and the formation of folds in rocks.

The ______ Eon, which began about 541 million years ago, marks the start of abundant fossil records.

What is a key condition for the formation of folds rather than faults in rocks?

Calderas are exclusively formed by explosive volcanic eruptions.

The principle of ______ states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

What type of plate boundary is most commonly associated with the formation of volcanic island arcs?

Describe how the study of seismic waves has contributed to our understanding of the Earth's core.

A surface of erosion that separates younger strata from older, deformed strata is called a(n) ______.

Which of the following is a critical factor determining whether a rock will deform by folding or faulting?

Wind deposits are primarily composed of coarse-grained sediments due to the high energy transport capacity of wind.

Match the following types of mass wasting with their descriptions:

Which of the following processes is most likely to increase both the porosity and permeability of a rock?

What are the necessary geological conditions required for an artesian aquifer to form?

Which of the following features is LEAST likely to be associated with glacial erosion?

Which type of fault is characterized by predominantly horizontal displacement?

The process by which sediments accumulate in layers over time is referred to as ______.

What is the age of rocks of the Phanerozoic Eon?

What is the correct sequence of eras within the Phanerozoic Eon, from oldest to youngest?

Compared to oceanic crust, continental crust is generally:

Evidence of Faulting often reveals clues about the direction and magnitude of past Earth movements. Assuming a near-vertical fault plane, describe the differences in stress and rock response that lead to the formation of (a) normal faults versus (b) reverse faults. Further, what large-scale tectonic setting is each most commonly associated with?

During glacial erosion, the grinding and scraping of rock by ice embedded with sediment produces parallel grooves known as glacial ______.

The principle of original horizontality suggests that sedimentary layers are typically deposited at steep angles.

To be a candidate for use as an index fossil, the organism should have...

Assume a sequence of undisturbed sedimentary layers. If a fault cuts through layers A, B, and C, and an intrusion 'D' cuts through layers A and B, but not C, what is the relative order of formation?