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 environmental 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 Environmental Geology. 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. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

   

5. 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

6. Shield volcanoes __________.
   1. result from extrusion of low viscosity magmas
   2. have steep sides
   3. often undergo pyroclastic eruptions
   4. are associated with felsic magmas
   5. none of the above.
   

7. The volcano in this photo is a _____________ and its magmas have a _____________ composition.
   1. stratovolcano; felsic
   2. stratovolcano; mafic
   3. shield volcano; felsic
   4. shield volcano; mafic
   5. big one; watery

8. ________________ are usually formed in continental volcanic arcs by alternating lava flows and pyroclastic deposits over a span of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.
   1. Shield volcanoes
   2. Stratovolcanoes (composite volcanoes)
   3. Cinder cones
   4. Geysers
   5. None of the above

9. Which of the following are not hazards associated with a Mt. Pinatubo-style volcanic eruption.
   1. pyroclastic flows
   2. lahars
   3. earthquakes
   4. low viscosity lava flows
   5. ashfall
   

10. The volcano on the horizon in this photo is a _______________ and its lavas are of ______________ viscosity.
    1. stratovolcano; low
    2. stratovolcano; high
    3. shield volcano; low
    4. shield volcano; high
    5. big one; watery

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?
• 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?
• What are the three ways to melt the mantle (to form a basaltic magma)? At which type of plate tectonic setting does each of these occur? How do silicate magmas behave differently than water/ice with regard to crystallization/melting behavior?
• Learn the Big Chart. Live the Big Chart. Love the Big Chart.
• Explain the relation between crystal size and cooling history in igneous rocks.
• How are composition, mineralogy, crystallization temperature, viscosity, volcano type, etc. related to each other for igneous rocks/magmas?
• Identify the different types of volcanoes and volcanic rocks. (Including, but not limited to: shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, composite volcanoes, cinder cones, calderas, craters, lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, aa, pahoehoe, etc.)