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Questions and Answers
What effect did an impact event have on sunlight availability during mass extinction events?
What effect did an impact event have on sunlight availability during mass extinction events?
Which geological principle states that sedimentary layers become progressively younger from bottom to top?
Which geological principle states that sedimentary layers become progressively younger from bottom to top?
Hydrocarbon compounds are primarily derived from which of the following?
Hydrocarbon compounds are primarily derived from which of the following?
What is the most likely outcome if a layer of sedimentary rock is found to be angled?
What is the most likely outcome if a layer of sedimentary rock is found to be angled?
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Which type of coal is known to produce the most heat?
Which type of coal is known to produce the most heat?
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What geological process is most likely to create a nonconformity?
What geological process is most likely to create a nonconformity?
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Which of the following is not typically classified as a mineral resource?
Which of the following is not typically classified as a mineral resource?
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What type of evidence would best indicate that two rock samples are from the same geological age?
What type of evidence would best indicate that two rock samples are from the same geological age?
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Which layer of geologic formation is most likely the oldest?
Which layer of geologic formation is most likely the oldest?
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What primary process during hydraulic fracturing releases gas and oil from rock layers?
What primary process during hydraulic fracturing releases gas and oil from rock layers?
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What events are believed to have contributed to past mass extinction events on Earth?
What events are believed to have contributed to past mass extinction events on Earth?
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Which principle supports the hypothesis that geologic formations were tilted by tectonic forces?
Which principle supports the hypothesis that geologic formations were tilted by tectonic forces?
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How are metal ores primarily formed in the magmatic process?
How are metal ores primarily formed in the magmatic process?
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What is described as an interrupting boundary between layers of sedimentary rock?
What is described as an interrupting boundary between layers of sedimentary rock?
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What type of mineral resources are primarily used to create aluminum foil and batteries?
What type of mineral resources are primarily used to create aluminum foil and batteries?
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Why is fracking considered potentially harmful to the environment?
Why is fracking considered potentially harmful to the environment?
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Which of the following best defines plate tectonics?
Which of the following best defines plate tectonics?
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What is most likely to occur during a mass extinction event?
What is most likely to occur during a mass extinction event?
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Which principle explains the relative ages of rock layers?
Which principle explains the relative ages of rock layers?
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Which of the following processes is essential in the formation of hydrocarbons?
Which of the following processes is essential in the formation of hydrocarbons?
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Which term refers to the known quantity of minerals that can be profitably extracted?
Which term refers to the known quantity of minerals that can be profitably extracted?
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Which of the following statements about renewable resources is true?
Which of the following statements about renewable resources is true?
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What best describes the term 'biomass energy'?
What best describes the term 'biomass energy'?
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Which energy resource is derived from the splitting of atomic nuclei?
Which energy resource is derived from the splitting of atomic nuclei?
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Study Notes
Plate Boundaries
- Divergent Boundary: Two plates move apart and spread.
- Convergent Boundary: Two plates move toward each other and collide.
- Transform Boundary: Two tectonic plates slide past each other.
Lithosphere and Asthenosphere
- Similarities: Both are solid in the upper layers of Earth, made of rock, and are above the lower mantle.
- Differences: The lithosphere contains rigid rock. The asthenosphere contains rock that can flow.
Mud and Fossil Deposits Supporting Seafloor Spreading
- Mud and fossil deposits support the hypothesis of seafloor spreading.
Unconformities
- Unconformity: A boundary between layers of sedimentary rock representing an interruption in sediment deposition, indicating periods of erosion or non-deposition.
- Types of Unconformities:
- Angular unconformity: Younger sediment rests on the eroded surface of tilted or folded older rock.
- Nonconformity: Layered sedimentary rocks lie on an erosion surface of igneous or metamorphic rocks.
- Disconformity: Sedimentary layers above and below the interruption are parallel.
Map of Wind Speeds
- The map shows average wind speeds across the United States.
- Best areas for wind power development: Coastal waters and Central Plains.
Geologic Formation with Dike
- Layer A is most likely the oldest layer in the geologic formation.
- Dike layer is most likely the youngest layer in the geologic formation.
Hydraulic Fracturing
- Rock layers fracture to recover gas and oil during hydraulic fracturing.
- The high-water pressure fractures the rock, allowing it to release gas and oil.
Mass Extinction Events
- Many species die off during mass extinction events.
- Possible causes of mass extinctions: Volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts.
Principle of Original Horizontality
- Geologists use the principle of original horizontality to determine an unconformity in rock.
Cross-Cutting Relationships
- The principle of cross-cutting relationships determines the timing of geologic events based on the order in which they occurred.
Nuclear Energy
- Nuclear power plants convert energy from nuclear fission into electricity.
Mineral Use
- Humans have used minerals for tools, weapons, pottery, jewelry, and farm tools over time.
Metal Ore Deposits
- Two processes create metal ore deposits:
- Magmatic: Minerals crystallize from cooled magma.
- Hydrothermal: Salt-rich water dissolves metals from rock.
Mineral Resources
- Mineral resources are categorized as Metallic (e.g., aluminum, copper) and Nonmetallic (e.g., chalk, salt).
Relative Ages of Rocks
- The relative ages of rocks A, D, and G can be determined by their positions within the rock layers.
Mineral Resources vs Reserves
- Mineral resources include currently profitable areas and those that might be profitable in the future.
- Mineral reserves are economically mineable resources.
Uranium
- Despite uranium's ability to produce significant energy, nuclear energy isn't a major energy source in the US.
Decline in Nuclear Power
- Factors contributing to the decline of nuclear power include high construction costs, concerns about safety after accidents, and the safe disposal of nuclear waste.
Renewable Energy
- Wind and solar energy cannot be stored in tanks/pipelines.
Energy Resources
- Advantages and disadvantages of solar, wind, and geothermal energy are compared.
Mountain and Volcano Formation
- Volcanoes form when magma rises through the crust and erupts.
- Mountains form when the lithosphere is folded or piled up.
Plate Tectonic Theory
- Theory of plate tectonics explains how the plates move about the Earth's surface.
Mass Extinctions
- Scientists believe these are events that contribute to mass extinctions.
Fossil Records
- Index fossils indicate the relative ages of rocks.
Coal
- Different coal types produce varying amounts of heat.
Ore Deposits
- Placer deposits are found in riverbeds/streambeds.
Key Terms (with their definitions)
- (1) Renewable Resource: Substances or phenomena replenished by natural processes faster than consumed
- (2) Renewable energy: Naturally occurring inorganic solids used for human needs, reasonably extractable
- (3) Mineral Resource: Inorganic naturally occurring solid useful for humans, reasonably extractable
- (4) Biomass energy: Energy from burning organic materials
- (5) Mineral Reserve: Known amount of mineral deposits profitably extracted.
- (6) Geothermal Energy: Heat extracted from Earth's interior for electricity generation.
- (7) Hydro-Fracturing: Injecting water & chemicals into subsurface rocks for resource extraction
- (8) Biofuel: Plant/animal products converted for energy
- (9) Fossil Fuels: Ancient organic remains for fuel
- (10) Solar Cell: Devices converting sunlight into electricity.
- (11) Non-Renewable Resource: Resources not replenished quickly enough for their consumption rates.
- (12) Hydroelectric Energy: Energy from flowing water converted to electricity.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of plate tectonics, including divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries. Understand the lithosphere and asthenosphere's characteristics and how they relate to rock formation and movement. Delve into the role of mud and fossil deposits in supporting seafloor spreading and learn about the different types of unconformities.
