The Ultimate Geology Quiz

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  • 1/13 Questions
    When was the International Geophysical Year? - ProProfs

    When was the International Geophysical Year?

    • 1968-69
    • 1957-58
    • 1960-61
    • 1954-55
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About This Quiz

Are you a geologist? Only true Geologists can make it out of this quiz. For the people who were living under a rock(pun intended) and don't know about geology, it is the study of Earth's surface and the crust and is essential in determining the age, nature, and composition of minerals that make up the Earth's surface. So everybody is welcome in trying out this quiz

The Ultimate Geology Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 
    Where is the type location for the Pennsylvanian Period? - ProProfs

    Where is the type location for the Pennsylvanian Period?

    • England

    • The United States

    • Germany

    • France

    Correct Answer
    A. The United States
    Explanation
    The Pennsylvanian Period is a geologic time period during the Paleozoic Era. It is named after the state of Pennsylvania in the United States, where extensive coal deposits from this period are found. Therefore, the type location for the Pennsylvanian Period is in the United States.

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  • 3. 
    Karst topography is most likely to occur in which type of rock? - ProProfs

    Karst topography is most likely to occur in which type of rock?

    • Sandstone

    • Slate

    • Shale

    • Limestone

    Correct Answer
    A. Limestone
    Explanation
    Karst topography is most likely to occur in limestone because limestone is a sedimentary rock that is highly soluble in water. Over time, water can dissolve and erode the limestone, creating unique landforms such as sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. This process is known as karstification. In contrast, sandstone, slate, and shale are not as soluble and do not typically exhibit the same level of karst topography.

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  • 4. 
    Where is the type section for the Ordovician Period found? - ProProfs

    Where is the type section for the Ordovician Period found?

    • Wales

    • France

    • England

    • The United States

    Correct Answer
    A. Wales
    Explanation
    The type section for the Ordovician Period is found in Wales.

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  • 5. 
    Where is North America's stable platform of rocks, a requirement for being a continent? - ProProfs

    Where is North America's stable platform of rocks, a requirement for being a continent?

    • The Yukon

    • The Great Plains

    • The Wasatch Basin

    • The Ozark Plateau

    Correct Answer
    A. The Great Plains
    Explanation
    The Great Plains is the correct answer because it is a region in North America that consists of flat, stable rocks. These rocks are part of the stable platform required for being a continent. The Yukon, the Wasatch Basin, and the Ozark Plateau are not specifically known for having the same stable rock formations as the Great Plains.

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  • 6. 
    Which is the number one bituminous coal state in the U.S.? - ProProfs

    Which is the number one bituminous coal state in the U.S.?

    • Illinois

    • West Virginia

    • Pennsylvania

    • Kentucky

    Correct Answer
    A. West Virginia
    Explanation
    West Virginia is the number one bituminous coal state in the U.S. because it has the largest reserves of this type of coal compared to other states. Bituminous coal is a high-quality coal that is commonly used for electricity generation and industrial purposes. West Virginia's geographical location and geological conditions make it an ideal region for the formation and extraction of bituminous coal. The state has a long history of coal mining, and its coal industry plays a significant role in its economy.

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  • 7. 
    Which is not a characteristic of Folded mountains? - ProProfs

    Which is not a characteristic of Folded mountains?

    • Asymmetrical

    • Symmetrical

    • Overturned

    • Underturned

    Correct Answer
    A. Underturned
    Explanation
    Underturned is not a characteristic of Folded mountains. Folded mountains are formed by the compression and folding of rock layers, resulting in asymmetrical or symmetrical folds. Overturned folds occur when the rock layers are tilted beyond vertical, while underturned folds occur when the rock layers are tilted less than vertical. Therefore, underturned folds do not represent a characteristic of Folded mountains.

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  • 8. 
    According to glaciologists, what did the water from the present day Great Lakes area drain into 14,000 years before present? - ProProfs

    According to glaciologists, what did the water from the present day Great Lakes area drain into 14,000 years before present?

    • The Missouri River

    • The Colorado River

    • The Mississippi River

    • The Hudson River

    Correct Answer
    A. The Mississippi River
    Explanation
    During the last Ice Age, the water from the present-day Great Lakes area drained into the Mississippi River. This is supported by the research and findings of glaciologists who study the geological history of the region. The Mississippi River was a major drainage system during that time, carrying the meltwater from the retreating glaciers and transporting it towards the Gulf of Mexico. This explanation is consistent with the geological processes and historical changes that occurred in the area thousands of years ago.

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  • 9. 
    Where is the type section for the Jurassic Period? - ProProfs

    Where is the type section for the Jurassic Period?

    • Canada

    • Russia

    • Switzerland

    • The United States

    Correct Answer
    A. Switzerland
  • 10. 
    Into which body of water does the Danube River empty? - ProProfs

    Into which body of water does the Danube River empty?

    • The Adriatic Sea

    • The Mediterranean Sea

    • The Black Sea

    • The Aegean Sea

    Correct Answer
    A. The Black Sea
    Explanation
    The Danube River empties into the Black Sea. The river flows through multiple countries in Eastern Europe, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania, before reaching its final destination. The Black Sea is located between Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, and it receives water from various rivers, including the Danube.

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  • 11. 
    During which geologic period was the Alpine orogeny? - ProProfs

    During which geologic period was the Alpine orogeny?

    • Jurassic

    • Quaternary

    • Cretaceous

    • Tertiary

    Correct Answer
    A. Tertiary
    Explanation
    The Alpine orogeny, which refers to the mountain-building event that formed the Alps, occurred during the Tertiary period. This geologic period lasted from about 66 million to 2.6 million years ago and is characterized by the rise of mammals and the expansion of grasslands. The Alpine orogeny was a result of the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, leading to the uplift and folding of rocks, and the formation of the iconic mountain range we see today.

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  • 12. 
    Which of these is not a name for a wash in an arid environment? - ProProfs

    Which of these is not a name for a wash in an arid environment?

    • Playa

    • Wadi

    • Barrancas

    • Arroyo

    Correct Answer
    A. Playa
    Explanation
    Playa is not a name for a wash in an arid environment. A playa is a dry lake bed or a flat desert basin that temporarily holds water after heavy rainfall or during a flash flood. On the other hand, Wadi, Barrancas, and Arroyo are all names used to describe dry riverbeds or channels that typically only contain water during periods of rainfall or when there is a sudden surge of water.

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  • 13. 
    In evolution, which period gave rise to the first mammals? - ProProfs

    In evolution, which period gave rise to the first mammals?

    • Permian

    • Triassic

    • Jurassic

    • Devonian

    Correct Answer
    A. Permian
    Explanation
    During the Permian period, which lasted from approximately 299 to 252 million years ago, the first true mammals evolved. This period marked a significant transition in Earth's history, with the diversification of many different types of life forms. The Permian period saw the emergence of synapsids, a group of reptiles that eventually gave rise to mammals. These early mammal-like reptiles were small and had characteristics that set them apart from other reptiles, such as a more advanced jaw structure. Therefore, the Permian period is the correct answer as it is the period in which the first mammals originated.

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  • May 16, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 20, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Thames
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