GEOL1010 Sample Test 3 9 April, 2014 1. In the past 50 years, the CO2 content of Earth’s atmosphere: a) has decreased by almost 20 percent to 3150 ppm b) has remained nearly constant at 350 ppm. c) has increased by more than 5 percent to 4000 ppm. d) has increased by almost 10 percent to about 400ppm e) has increased by more than 20 percent to 400 ppm. 2. The current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is about: a) 0.004% b) 0.04% c) 0.4% d) 4% e) 40% 3. A greenhouse gas is one that: a) is transparent in the visible, but absorbs in the infrared b) is soluble in green glass c) is transparent in the infrared, but absorbs visible radiation d) absorbs green light e) is transparent to green light, but absorbs blue and red light 4. The Earth's mantle is composed of: a) solid silicate rock b) molten silicate(magma) c) molten iron metal d) solid iron metal e) solid granite. 5. The Earth’s outer core is composed of a) solid silicate rock b) molten silicate (magma) c) molten iron metal d) solid iron metal e) molten chocolate 6. The Earth's magnetic field is caused by: a) permanent magnetization of magnetic minerals in the crust b) permanent magnetization of the solid iron core. c) electrical and convection currents in the molten outer core. d) the solar wind e) electrical currents in the mantle. 7. The oceanic crust is: a) thick (>30km), dense (ρ > 3.0), and old (>200 Myrs) b) thick (>30km), light (ρ < 3.0), and old (>200 Myrs) c) thin (<30km), light (ρ < 3.0), and young (<200 Myrs) d) thin (<30km), dense (ρ > 3.0), and young (<200 Myrs) e) thick (>30km), light (ρ < 3.0), and young (<200 Myrs). 8. Most earthquakes occur: a) at depths greater than 400 km b) at depths less than 100 km c) at passive continent margins d) in the central regions of plates (cratons) e) in the lower mantle. 9. The deepest earthquakes occur at a depth of about: a) 50km b) 100km c) 400km d) 670km e) 2900km. 10. The exact location of the epicenter of an earthquake can generally be determined from: a) the time difference between body and surface wave arrivals at three different stations b) The time difference between P- and S-wave arrival times at three stations to determine distance and then using triangulation. c) the exact time of the surface wave arrivals at three different locations d) the direction of first movement of the S-wave arrivals at three different stations. e) the magnitude of the P-waves at three different stations.11. What observation led to the conclusion that the Earth has a liquid outer core? a) Earth’s gravity field b) P-wave shadow c) S-wave shadow d) Polar wandering e) Seismic reflection from 660km 12. The ability of a fluid to flow through a rock is known as the rock's: a) airspace b) permeability c) porosity d) viscosity e) texture 13. Which of the following rock types is likely to form the least permeable sediment (aquiclude or aquitard)? a) shale b) basalt c) limestone d) sandstone e) fractured granite1 14. The geologic setting of most geyser systems is: a) active volcanic b) granitic c) stable cratonic d) sedimentary e) high-grade metamorphic. 15. The boundary between drainage basins is known as a: a) recharge area b) discharge break c) cirque d) drainage divide e) basin rim. 16. The average elevation fall along a stream bed in ft/mi (U.S.) of m/km (rest of world) is its: a)discharge b)flow rate c) gradient d)drainage basin e)slope 17. If a stream is flowing at an average velocity of 1 m/s (meter/second) and is 10m across with an average depth of 1m, its discharge is: a) 5 m3/s b) 10 m3/s c) 20 m3/s d) 40 m3/s e)0.5 m3/s. 18. The Colorado River flows into (first encounters salt water at) the: a) Atlantic Ocean b) Gulf of Mexico c) Pacific Ocean d)Gulf of California e)Great Salt Lake 19. Water in Boulder Creek eventually drains to (first encounters salt water at) the; a) Atlantic Ocean b) Gulf of Mexico c) Pacific Ocean d)Gulf of California e)Great Salt Lake 20. The presence of many channel bars in a river (i.e., a braided stream) indicates that: a) the river is actively eroding its bed b) the river is flowing up gradient c) the river dries up periodically d) the river is actively depositing in its bed. e) the river has a steep gradient. 21. The outwash deposit of a mountain stream that flows into a desert valley is called a(n) a) alluvial fan b) barchan c) crescent d) dune e) till 22. A crescent-shaped dune with limbs downwind is called a a) parabolic dune b) barchan c) croissant d) transverse dune e) longitudinal dune 23. A long desert dune oriented at parallel to the prevailing wind is a a) parabolic dune b) barchan c) playa d) transverse dune e) longitudinal dune 24. An ephemeral (temporary) lake in a closed desert valley is a(n): a) arroyo b) bajada c) playa d) largo e) sinkhole 25. Wind-deposited silt-sized particles of glacial rock flour can form significant deposits in periglacial regions. This material is called: a) karst b) till c) loess d) moraine e) breccia26. Deserts tend to have high relief with abundant steep slopes and cliffs because: a) the wind is very strong b) the land is rising c) there is little vegetation to prevent water erosion d) deserts are tectonically active e) there is no rain 27. An sharp ridge formed by a resistant bed in near-vertical sedimentary rocks is known as a: a) hogback b) mesa c) plateau d) flatiron e) cuesta Essays How do the global and regional movements of air masses affect the formation of deserts Deserts occur on Earth where air masses are descending and are thus warm and dry. Descending air happens at 30ºN and 30ºS latitudes, at very high latitudes, 75-90º N and S, and on the leeward side of mountain ranges. When air masses rise, they cool and precipitate water or snow, and that heat of vaporization goes into the air. When they descend they have more heat and are therefore warmer than they started out and well below water saturation. What does the shape of a river valley (U-shape, V-shape, flat-floor) tell you about the erosion and deposition processes that are taking place or have taken place in the recent geologic past? U-shape valleys result from glacier erosion. V-shape valleys result from active water erosion as in
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