Geology Test study guide
1. Fill in the blanks showing the steps of the rock cycle.
melting --> magma --> cooling and crystallization --> igneous rock
weathering and erosion --> sediments --> compaction and cementation (or sedimentation) --> sedimentary rock
heat and pressure --> deformation --> metamorphic rock
2. Where does the energy come from to weather and erode rocks?
It comes from the sun. The sun evaporates water which turns it into rain which falls and forms river which erode rocks
3. Where does the energy come from to heat up and melt rocks?
The heat from Earth's interior.
4. What is evidence that the Grand Canyon formed over a very long timer scale?
There are really old rocks. Erosion is a very slow process. There are ancient marine fossils in the rocks. It used to be at sea level.
5. What geologic processes happen over a short time period?
Landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes
6. What is something in geology that is on a large spatial scale? A small spatial scale?
Large = mountains, canyons, landslides, earth's layers
Small = sand particles, water molecules, crystals in rocks, elements making up rocks
7. What are some strategies for building things that will withstand an earthquake?
Build them away from fault lines and not on steep slopes. Use wood and steel which is strong and flexible instead of brick which is brittle.
8. What is the difference between a scale model and a non-scale model? Give an example and a non-example.
In a scale model, everything is shrunk or expanded the same amount. This would mean that the sizes of things compared to other things would be the same.
Example: A globe is a good example of a scale model because when you compare the size of a continent relative to another continent is the same as in real life.
Non-example: Most solar system models you see are not to scale because the distance between the planets would be very large compared to the size of the planets. A scale model of a solar system would have to be hundreds of feet long.
9. Graph this data - see example in class.
10. Draw a model of Earth's interior layers.
melting --> magma --> cooling and crystallization --> igneous rock
weathering and erosion --> sediments --> compaction and cementation (or sedimentation) --> sedimentary rock
heat and pressure --> deformation --> metamorphic rock
2. Where does the energy come from to weather and erode rocks?
It comes from the sun. The sun evaporates water which turns it into rain which falls and forms river which erode rocks
3. Where does the energy come from to heat up and melt rocks?
The heat from Earth's interior.
4. What is evidence that the Grand Canyon formed over a very long timer scale?
There are really old rocks. Erosion is a very slow process. There are ancient marine fossils in the rocks. It used to be at sea level.
5. What geologic processes happen over a short time period?
Landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes
6. What is something in geology that is on a large spatial scale? A small spatial scale?
Large = mountains, canyons, landslides, earth's layers
Small = sand particles, water molecules, crystals in rocks, elements making up rocks
7. What are some strategies for building things that will withstand an earthquake?
Build them away from fault lines and not on steep slopes. Use wood and steel which is strong and flexible instead of brick which is brittle.
8. What is the difference between a scale model and a non-scale model? Give an example and a non-example.
In a scale model, everything is shrunk or expanded the same amount. This would mean that the sizes of things compared to other things would be the same.
Example: A globe is a good example of a scale model because when you compare the size of a continent relative to another continent is the same as in real life.
Non-example: Most solar system models you see are not to scale because the distance between the planets would be very large compared to the size of the planets. A scale model of a solar system would have to be hundreds of feet long.
9. Graph this data - see example in class.
10. Draw a model of Earth's interior layers.
11. What happens to the density of Earth’s layers? Why does this happen?
It gets more dense as you move toward the center because more dense substances sink
12. What are common elements in Earth’s core? Why are they there?
Iron and Nickel because they are the most dense and they sink.
13. What are common elements in Earth’s crust and mantle? Why are they there?
Silicon and oxygen because they are less dense and float.
14. Where are Earthquakes and volcanoes compared to plate boundaries? Why?
Earthquakes and volcanoes happen at plate boundaries because the plates are moving and bumping into each other at their boundaries.
15. Draw a picture showing what is happening at deep-sea trenches.
It gets more dense as you move toward the center because more dense substances sink
12. What are common elements in Earth’s core? Why are they there?
Iron and Nickel because they are the most dense and they sink.
13. What are common elements in Earth’s crust and mantle? Why are they there?
Silicon and oxygen because they are less dense and float.
14. Where are Earthquakes and volcanoes compared to plate boundaries? Why?
Earthquakes and volcanoes happen at plate boundaries because the plates are moving and bumping into each other at their boundaries.
15. Draw a picture showing what is happening at deep-sea trenches.
16. Why do we think that the continents used to be together in one large continent (Pangea)?
The shape of the continents fit together like puzzle pieces. When the continents are brought back together, there are fossils that line up and there are mountain ranges that line up.
17. Define uniformitarianism.
We assume that all processes that we see happening today, happened in similar way in the past. It is important because it we can learn about the past by looking at what is happening now.
18. Draw a diagram that shows the principle of superposition.
The shape of the continents fit together like puzzle pieces. When the continents are brought back together, there are fossils that line up and there are mountain ranges that line up.
17. Define uniformitarianism.
We assume that all processes that we see happening today, happened in similar way in the past. It is important because it we can learn about the past by looking at what is happening now.
18. Draw a diagram that shows the principle of superposition.
19. Give an example of how fossils can be used to determine Earth’s past environment.
Certain fossils (like trilobites) only lived in oceans.
Freshwater fish fossils would indicate a lake or river.
Tropical plant fossils would indicate a tropical environment.
20. What is an unconformity? Use a diagram to illustrate it. What kind of environment does an unconformity indicate?
It is a period of time where rock layers are being eroded instead of deposited. It indicates that the environment is on land so that it can be eroded.
Certain fossils (like trilobites) only lived in oceans.
Freshwater fish fossils would indicate a lake or river.
Tropical plant fossils would indicate a tropical environment.
20. What is an unconformity? Use a diagram to illustrate it. What kind of environment does an unconformity indicate?
It is a period of time where rock layers are being eroded instead of deposited. It indicates that the environment is on land so that it can be eroded.