Geology-101 (Physical Geology: The "Earth Revealed" Telecourse)

The "Question Bank" for the Final

Welcome to Poorna Pal's "Earth Revealed" (Geology-101: Physical Geology) telecourse pages at the Glendale Community College web site. This page provides you with the current quiz, the link to download it, and the schedule for quizzes, tests and the final examination.

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Extra-Credit?

Updated on  05/05/2015

Need help with the Final Exam? Try answering the following questions. Nothing new here. As you can see, this is merely the collection of 'short-notes' that you have already seen before, in the class-tests. If you can answer them, no help is needed. If not, keep trying!

  1. Where are crustal rocks created, according to plate tectonics theory? Why doesn’t the earth keep getting lager if rocks are continually created?

  2. How do the ages of seafloor rocks compare with those of continental rocks? Also explain if the postulate of seafloor spread can explain any such differences?

  3. Sketch a cross section of the entire earth showing the main subdivisions of the earth’s interior and giving the name, thickness, and probable composition of each.

  4. In what specific ways, and why, does an aseismic ridge like the Hawaii-Emperor chain differ from a spreading submarine ridge like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

  5. Explain how plate tectonics can account for the existence of the mid-oceanic ridge and its associated rift valley, earthquakes, high heat flow, and basalt volcanism.

  6. Explain how convergent plate tectonism can produce folded mountain belts.

  7. What is the difference between strike, direction of dip, and angle of dip? What would be the angle of dip if it is measured along the strike?

  8. Compare and contrast the concepts of intensity and magnitude of earthquakes?

  9. Why is it desirable to find an index fossil in rock layer? In the absence of index fossils, why is it desirable to find several fossils in a rock unit to determine relative age?

  10. Briefly describe the principle divisions of the Phanerozoic eon in terms of fossil evidence.

  11. Briefly describe the common rock forming minerals, using Bowen’s Reaction Series to discuss the silicate minerals.

  12. Briefly explain the classification chart for igneous rocks.

  13. How can landslides be prevented during construction?

  14. Which mineral weathers faster- hornblende or quartz? Why?

  15. Describe the different origins of limestone.

  16. Describe how metamorphic rocks are classifies based on texture.

  17. Describe the main ways in which a stream transports sediments.

  18. How does a confined aquifer differ from an unconfined aquifer?

  19. What are the main reasons why the southwestern US, including California, has an arid climate?

  20. What is a moraine and how do recessional moraines differ from terminal moraines?

  1. A beach is a river of sand moving in response to longshore currents, which generally are to the south on the west coast of the U.S. Discuss briefly where this sand comes from, what can happen to the beaches if this supply from land is cut-off, and what can be done to prevent the loss of supply.

  2. Why are coal, oil and natural gas called fossil fuels? Where and under what geological conditions do they occur? Discuss the problems of exhaustibility and/or environmental impact associated with their extraction and use.

  3. Describe the different ways in which ore deposits form. Where would you look for gold?

  4. Write an essay, giving suitable examples and sketches/ line drawings, on the Hydrological cycle.

  5. Write an essay, giving suitable examples and sketches/ line drawings, on the Hydrological cycle.