The Exam

My exams are designed to test more than just your ability to memorize the definitions of new terms and concepts (though, of course, that is important as well). Often I try to ask questions that test your ability to critically think about the relation between topics that we have discussed or to synthesize facts into a more complete whole. In short, I'm trying to get at not just your knowledge of geology, but more importantly your understanding of geology. This is not always easy to do on a multiple choice exam. My multiple choice questions are intended to have one best answer, but often a number of plausible wrong answers. I am not trying to be tricky - rather I'm trying to get an idea of how fully you understand the material. The ability to think critically and synthesize ideas is the essence of good education. Keep this in mind as you study the material.

Also, please understand that this study guide is not intended to be exhaustive (read as: there will be material on the exam that is not specifically covered in this study guide). To best prepare for the exam I recommend that you:

• Read the assigned chapters in Essentials of Geology, 10th ed.. Make sure you understand the material (especially the concepts and terminology). Some students find it helpful to outline the material in the chapters.
• Review your lecture notes. Compare them with the lecture outlines on the class website. It may be useful to discuss the lecture material with a classmate and compare notes.
• Work through the entire Exam Study Guide. Look up things that you're not sure of. Break down the style of my exam questions and try to anticipate how I might vary these questions to cover different material.
• If there's anything that you don't fully understand then seek assistance. I'm happy to help during office hours or any other time you can find me to ask a question. E-mail me your questions if you like. There may also be a free tutor available for the class. Contact the Kelly Center to schedule an appointment.

Some sample multiple choice questions: (there will be 40 on the test)

1. The "plates" of plate tectonics are made up of the Earth's __________________, which are collectively referred to as the _________________.
   1. inner and outer core; core
   2. upper and lower mantle; mantle
   3. crust and upper mantle; asthenosphere
   4. upper mantle and crust; lithosphere
   5. none of the above

2. At a divergent plate boundary ______________.
   1. plates spread apart and new oceanic crust is formed
   2. plates converge and new oceanic crust is formed
   3. plates slide past each other and crust is neither formed nor consumed
   4. plates converge and oceanic crust is consumed back into the mantle
   5. plates spread apart and old oceanic crust is consumed

3. The fold illustrated in the cross section to the right is a(n):
   1. monocline
   2. anticline
   3. basin
   4. syncline
   5. saddle

4. Which of the following associations is most likely?
   1. divergent plate boundaries - tensional stresses - reverse faults
   2. transform plate boundaries - compressional stresses - reverse faults
   3. divergent plate boundaries - shear stresses - thrust faults
   4. divergent plate boundaries - tensional stresses - normal faults
   5. convergent plate boundaries - tensional stresses - reverse faults

5. The most destructive earthquake waves are the ______________; the fastest are the ______________.
   1. P-waves; P-waves
   2. S-waves; P-waves
   3. surface waves; Love waves
   4. surface waves; P-waves
   5. surface waves; S-waves

6. The focus (or hypocenter) of an earthquake _____________.
   1. is located directly above the epicenter
   2. is the location of first breakage when a fault zone ruptures
   3. is the point from which earthquake body waves propogate
   4. all of the above
   5. only B and C

7. Seafloor magnetic anomalies _______________.
   1. were discovered by Darwin on his voyages on the HMS Beagle
   2. tend to run perpendicular to the ridge crests
   3. were critical to the development of the seafloor spreading hypothesis
   4. are the result of compositional changes in the oceanic crust
   5. B, C, and D only

8. Which of the following is not associated with the closing of an ocean basin?
   1. subduction of oceanic crust
   2. accretion of island arcs and exotic terranes
   3. mountain building
   4. extensional normal faulting of the adjacent continental crust
   5. All of the above are associated with the closure of an ocean basin.

9. The hanging wall moves ______________ with respect to the footwall in a ____________ fault, which results from tensional stresses.
   1. up; normal
   2. down; normal
   3. up; reverse
   4. up; strike-slip
   5. down; reverse

10. The ____________ rocks are exposed in the hinge (axis) of a ____________.
    1. youngest; anticline
    2. youngest; structural dome
    3. oldest; syncline
    4. oldest; anticline
    5. oldest; structural basin

11. The Basin and Range province in the western USA (Nevada and western Utah) results from ___________ faults and _________ stresses.
    1. normal; compressive
    2. normal; shear
    3. thrust; extensional
    4. strike-slip; compressive
    5. none of the above

12. Linear chains of islands such as the Hawaiian Islands are formed _______________.
    1. at divergent plate boundaries
    2. by localized upwelling of the mantle at a hot spot
    3. at subduction zones where two oceanic plates are colliding
    4. by compressional folding within an oceanic plate
    5. by ocean dumping sponsored by the pineapple industry

    

13. In the cross section above the fault labeled "F" is a ____________________ fault which is most common at ______________ plate boundaries.
    1. normal; convergent
    2. normal; divergent
    3. reverse; convergent
    4. strike-slip; transform
    5. strike-slip; compressive

In addition, here is a list of some topics that you should understand:

• Stress vs. Strain - Describe elastic deformation, plastic deformation, and brittle failure. How are these related to plate boundary interactions?
• Strike and Dip - how are they defined and what do they describe?
• Describe the different types of folds (anticline, syncline, monocline, structural dome, structural basin, plunging folds) and their parts (limbs, axes, axial planes). Understand how strike and dip and age relations of layered rocks behave in the different types of folds.
• Describe the different types of faults (strike-slip vs. dip-slip [hanging wall vs. footwall] , normal vs. reverse and thrust, left-lateral vs. right lateral) and know how to recognize them on maps, cross sections, and block diagrams. How are the fault types associated with stress and strain and plate boundaries?
• Earthquakes - what are they and where and why do they occur? What is elastic rebound theory? How are earthquakes measured and located? What sorts of damage do they cause and how can it be minimized?
• Seismic waves - identify the two types of earthquake body waves and illustrate the relation between particle motion and propogation direction; Identify the two types of surface waves. What is the importance of each type of wave?
• Explain the origin of earthquake shadow zones. How do earthquake studies reveal the state (liquid vs. solid) of the inner and outer core?
• What is (are) the difference(s) between Wegener's theory of Continental Drift and modern Plate Tectonic theory? In what ways are they the same? What was (were) the critical flaw(s) in Wegener's theory?
• The driving force behind plate tectonics; the three different types of plate boundaries. What types of stresses and faults are associated with the differnet types of plate boundaries and why? Using plate tectonic theory, explain the worldwide occurrence of earthquakes and volcanoes.
• How does oceanic crust originate, change with increasing age, and get recycled into the mantle? Illustrate a cross section through the oceanic crust labeling each of the layers. How are the major features of the ocean basins (mid-ocean ridges, fracture zones, abyssal plains, deep-sea trenches) related to plate tectonics?
• Explain the difference (with diagrams if you like) between an active and a passive continental margin. How does each form?
• Diagram (in cross section) and label the major features of a convergent plate boundary between oceanic and continental crust.
• Describe the differences between oceanic and continental crust. How does continental crust form? Why isn't it recycled into the mantle?
• How, why, and where do mountain belts form? Recognize some modern mountain belts from around the world (e.g., Andes, Himalayas/Alps, mid-Atlantic ridge) and within the USA (Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, Basin and Range, Cascades) and understand their origins and plate tectonic settings.