Basic Geology Principles And Concepts Quiz

A system is defined as anything that can be isolated and studied. This means that it refers to any entity or object that can be separated from its surroundings and analyzed or examined independently. It could be a physical system, such as a machine or a biological organism, or an abstract system, such as a mathematical model or a conceptual framework. The key characteristic is that it can be observed and understood as a distinct entity, allowing for investigation and analysis.

Divergent boundaries are locations where plates are moving away from each other. At these boundaries, new crust is formed as magma rises to the surface, creating a gap between the plates. This process is known as seafloor spreading and occurs mainly in the oceanic crust. Divergent boundaries are characterized by volcanic activity, frequent earthquakes, and the formation of mid-ocean ridges.

The three types of boundaries are convergent, transform, and divergent. Convergent boundaries occur when two plates collide, causing one plate to be forced beneath the other, resulting in the formation of mountains or volcanic activity. Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes. Divergent boundaries occur when two plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust and volcanic activity. Continental boundaries are not one of the three types of boundaries, so they are not included in the answer.

Wegener came up with the hypothesis of continental drift. This hypothesis proposed that the continents were once joined together in a single landmass called Pangaea, which later broke apart and drifted to their current positions. Wegener gathered evidence from the fit of the continents, the distribution of fossils, and the matching geological features across continents to support his theory. Although initially met with skepticism, his hypothesis laid the foundation for the development of the modern theory of plate tectonics.

To find the epicenter of an earthquake, you need three stations. This is because the epicenter can be determined by triangulating the arrival times of seismic waves at three different stations. By measuring the time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves at each station, the distance from the epicenter to each station can be calculated. The intersection of these three circles will pinpoint the epicenter of the earthquake. Therefore, three stations are necessary to accurately locate the epicenter.

In an oceanic-continental boundary, the oceanic crust goes back down into the mantle. This process is known as subduction, where the denser oceanic crust is forced beneath the less dense continental crust. This subduction occurs due to the difference in density between the two types of crust. As the oceanic crust subducts into the mantle, it can create deep-sea trenches and volcanic activity on the continental side of the boundary.

The San Andreas fault is a transform boundary because it is the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes and creating features such as faults. The Aleutians and the NW Pacific coast are not transform boundaries, but rather examples of convergent boundaries where two plates collide, forming subduction zones and volcanic activity.

In an anticline, the rocks at the center are older relative to the rest of the anticline. This is because an anticline is a type of fold in the Earth's crust where the layers of rock are bent upwards in an arch shape. As a result, the older layers of rock are pushed towards the center of the fold, while the younger layers are found on the outer edges. Therefore, the rocks at the center of an anticline are older compared to the surrounding rocks.

The inner core is mainly made of Fe (iron) and Mg (magnesium). This is supported by scientific evidence and studies that have been conducted on the Earth's core. Fe and Mg are known to be the most abundant elements in the inner core, contributing to its dense and solid nature.

The point inside the Earth where stress is released during an earthquake is called the focus.

When the hanging wall moves upward relative to the footwall, it indicates a reverse fault. In a reverse fault, the rocks on the hanging wall are pushed up and over the rocks on the footwall, resulting in a vertical displacement. This type of fault is caused by compressional forces, where the rocks are being squeezed together, causing one side to move upward.

S waves, also known as shear waves, are a type of seismic wave that can only travel through solid materials. This is because S waves require a medium with shear strength, which is only present in solids. Liquids, on the other hand, do not possess shear strength and therefore cannot support the propagation of S waves. Thus, S waves cannot travel through liquids.

Love waves, also known as Q waves, are a type of surface seismic waves that travel along the Earth's surface. These waves cause particles to move in a horizontal, side-to-side motion perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This motion is similar to the movement of a snake slithering across the ground. Love waves are the second fastest surface waves and can cause significant damage during earthquakes.

Seismic body waves refer to the waves that travel through the interior of the Earth during an earthquake. Among the options given, S and P waves are seismic body waves. S waves, also known as shear waves, move in a side-to-side motion and are slower than P waves. P waves, also known as primary waves, move in a back-and-forth motion and are the fastest seismic waves. Rayleigh, Hess, and Love waves are surface waves that travel along the Earth's surface and are not considered seismic body waves.

The correct answer is "mesosphere" or "Mesosphere". The mesosphere is the layer that comes after the lithosphere and the asthenosphere in the mechanical layers of the Earth. It is located between the asthenosphere and the outer core. The mesosphere is characterized by high pressure and temperature, and it is composed of solid rock that is capable of flowing under pressure over long periods of time.

The correct answer is 4.55 Ga. "Ga" stands for "giga-annum," which is a unit of time equal to one billion years. This answer indicates that Earth is approximately 4.55 billion years old.

Catastrophism is the theory that Earth's geological features are primarily formed by sudden and violent events, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods. It suggests that these catastrophic events have shaped the Earth's surface over time, rather than gradual and slow processes. This theory was popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries but has since been largely replaced by the theory of uniformitarianism, which emphasizes gradual and continuous processes as the main drivers of Earth's geological changes.

The Modified Mercalli Scale is used to measure an earthquake's intensity. This scale assesses the effects of an earthquake on human-made structures, the environment, and people's perception. It consists of a range of descriptive categories, from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction). Unlike the Richter Scale, which measures the energy released by an earthquake, the Modified Mercalli Scale focuses on the impact and damage caused by the seismic event.

The sun is a driver for systems because it provides energy through sunlight, which is essential for various processes such as photosynthesis and weather patterns. Residual heat/radioactivity is also a driver as it produces heat that can be harnessed for power generation and influences geological processes.

The correct answer is "atmosphere biosphere geosphere hydrosphere magnetosphere". This answer includes all five types of systems (spheres) in alphabetical order: atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and magnetosphere. The alternative answer, "atmosphere biosphere hydrosphere lithosphere magnetosphere", is not in alphabetical order and includes "lithosphere" instead of "geosphere".