Earth Science And Geological History Quiz!

1. How much of the Earth's surface is covered with water?

25%

35%

50%

71%

Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. This includes the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. The Earth is often referred to as the "blue planet" due to its high percentage of water coverage. This vast amount of water plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting diverse ecosystems, and providing habitats for countless species.

Explanation

Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. This includes the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. The Earth is often referred to as the "blue planet" due to its high percentage of water coverage. This vast amount of water plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting diverse ecosystems, and providing habitats for countless species.

2. Roughly how old is Earth?

4.54 billion years

6,000 years

4.54 million years

2000 years

The correct answer is 4.54 billion years. This is the estimated age of the Earth based on scientific evidence such as radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites. The age of the Earth is determined by studying the decay of radioactive isotopes and comparing it to the known decay rates. These methods have shown that the Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old.

Explanation

The correct answer is 4.54 billion years. This is the estimated age of the Earth based on scientific evidence such as radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites. The age of the Earth is determined by studying the decay of radioactive isotopes and comparing it to the known decay rates. These methods have shown that the Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old.

3. What's Earth's true shape?

Oblate Spheroid

Flat

Sphere

Rectangle

The correct answer is Oblate Spheroid. The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but rather an oblate spheroid. This means that it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation. The shape of the Earth can be best described as an ellipsoid, with a slight compression along the polar axis. This shape has been determined through various measurements and observations, including satellite data and gravitational measurements.

Explanation

The correct answer is Oblate Spheroid. The Earth is not a perfect sphere, but rather an oblate spheroid. This means that it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation. The shape of the Earth can be best described as an ellipsoid, with a slight compression along the polar axis. This shape has been determined through various measurements and observations, including satellite data and gravitational measurements.

4. The area of land from which a stream or river collects runoff.

Mississippi River

Drainage Basin

Gully Erosion

Sheet Rock

A drainage basin refers to the area of land where all the water from rainfall or snowmelt collects and flows into a single stream or river. It includes all the surrounding land and smaller tributaries that contribute to the main water body. In the case of the Mississippi River, its drainage basin encompasses a vast area of land, including parts of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. This explanation highlights the concept of a drainage basin and its relevance to the given answer option.

Explanation

A drainage basin refers to the area of land where all the water from rainfall or snowmelt collects and flows into a single stream or river. It includes all the surrounding land and smaller tributaries that contribute to the main water body. In the case of the Mississippi River, its drainage basin encompasses a vast area of land, including parts of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. This explanation highlights the concept of a drainage basin and its relevance to the given answer option.

5. Mature Streams carve broad, flat, valley doors called:

Plains

Slowly

Floodplains

Plains

Mature streams, which have reached a state of equilibrium, carve broad, flat valley floors known as floodplains. These floodplains are formed as the stream erodes and deposits sediment over time, creating a wide, level area adjacent to the stream channel. Floodplains are typically found in low-lying areas and are prone to flooding during periods of high water flow. They play an important role in natural flood control and provide fertile soil for agriculture.

Explanation

Mature streams, which have reached a state of equilibrium, carve broad, flat valley floors known as floodplains. These floodplains are formed as the stream erodes and deposits sediment over time, creating a wide, level area adjacent to the stream channel. Floodplains are typically found in low-lying areas and are prone to flooding during periods of high water flow. They play an important role in natural flood control and provide fertile soil for agriculture.

6. 2. 67,000 mph (107,826 km/h) represents what speed?

Earth's orbit around the sun

Earth's movement through the milky way

Earth's rotation about its axis

None

The given speed of 67,000 mph (107,826 km/h) represents Earth's orbit around the sun. This speed refers to the velocity at which the Earth travels in its elliptical path around the sun. It is the average orbital speed of the Earth and is necessary to maintain its orbit and prevent it from being pulled into the gravitational pull of the sun.

Explanation

The given speed of 67,000 mph (107,826 km/h) represents Earth's orbit around the sun. This speed refers to the velocity at which the Earth travels in its elliptical path around the sun. It is the average orbital speed of the Earth and is necessary to maintain its orbit and prevent it from being pulled into the gravitational pull of the sun.

7. Since the early 19th century, which of these has moved northward more than 600 miles (1,100 kilometers)?

Earth's magnetic North Pole

New York City

The Equator

The Axis

The correct answer is Earth's magnetic North Pole. The Earth's magnetic North Pole has been gradually moving northward for over 600 miles (1,100 kilometers) since the early 19th century. This movement is known as magnetic drift and is caused by changes in the Earth's magnetic field. It is important to note that the movement of the magnetic North Pole is different from the movement of the geographic North Pole, which is the point where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface.

Explanation

The correct answer is Earth's magnetic North Pole. The Earth's magnetic North Pole has been gradually moving northward for over 600 miles (1,100 kilometers) since the early 19th century. This movement is known as magnetic drift and is caused by changes in the Earth's magnetic field. It is important to note that the movement of the magnetic North Pole is different from the movement of the geographic North Pole, which is the point where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface.

8. Minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73 degrees C) was the coldest temperature measured on Earth. Where?

The North Pole

Anchorage, Alaska

Vostok Station, Antartica

Florida

Vostok Station in Antarctica is the correct answer because it holds the record for the coldest temperature ever measured on Earth, which was minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73 degrees C). The extreme cold temperatures in Antarctica are due to its high elevation, polar climate, and isolation from warm ocean currents. The North Pole, Anchorage, Alaska, and Florida do not experience such extreme cold temperatures.

Explanation

Vostok Station in Antarctica is the correct answer because it holds the record for the coldest temperature ever measured on Earth, which was minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 73 degrees C). The extreme cold temperatures in Antarctica are due to its high elevation, polar climate, and isolation from warm ocean currents. The North Pole, Anchorage, Alaska, and Florida do not experience such extreme cold temperatures.

9. Roughly how often does the lightning strike somewhere on Earth?

100 times per day

100 times per second

100 times per hour

1000 times per day

Lightning strikes somewhere on Earth roughly 100 times per second. This means that there are thousands of lightning strikes happening every minute and millions every day. Lightning is a common natural phenomenon that occurs due to the discharge of electricity between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. The high frequency of lightning strikes is due to the constant movement and interaction of atmospheric conditions that create the necessary conditions for lightning to occur.

Explanation

Lightning strikes somewhere on Earth roughly 100 times per second. This means that there are thousands of lightning strikes happening every minute and millions every day. Lightning is a common natural phenomenon that occurs due to the discharge of electricity between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. The high frequency of lightning strikes is due to the constant movement and interaction of atmospheric conditions that create the necessary conditions for lightning to occur.

10. Which of the following best describes how scientists classify different rocks?

By their shape

By how they are formed

By where they are found

All of the above

None of the Above

Scientists classify different rocks based on how they are formed. This is because the formation process of rocks provides valuable information about their composition, structure, and properties. By understanding how rocks are formed, scientists can categorize them into different types, such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. This classification helps in studying the Earth's history, predicting geological events, and understanding the processes that shape the planet's surface.

Explanation

Scientists classify different rocks based on how they are formed. This is because the formation process of rocks provides valuable information about their composition, structure, and properties. By understanding how rocks are formed, scientists can categorize them into different types, such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. This classification helps in studying the Earth's history, predicting geological events, and understanding the processes that shape the planet's surface.