California Certified Engineering Geologist
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf,,
Question 1
Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
A. Landslides
B. Liquefaction
C. Surface fault rupture
D. Ground subsidence
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. Surface fault rupture
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act focuses
specifically on mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active
faults. It prohibits the location of most structures for human occupancy
directly on the trace of an active fault .
Question 2
What is the primary geologic feature used to define an "active fault" in
California?
,A. A fault that shows any offset
B. A fault with surface displacement in the last 11,700 years
C. A fault that has caused a historical earthquake
D. A fault mapped on a geologic map
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. A fault with surface displacement in the last
11,700 years
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey, an active fault is
defined as one that has had surface displacement during the Holocene
epoch, which spans the last approximately 11,700 years .
Question 3
Which investigation technique is most appropriate to determine the depth
of bedrock in an alluvial basin?
A. Geologic mapping
B. Seismic refraction survey
C. Surface trenching
D. Cone penetration testing
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. Seismic refraction survey
Rationale: Seismic refraction is effective for determining the depth to
higher-velocity materials like bedrock because seismic waves travel
faster through bedrock than through overlying alluvium, creating a velocity
contrast that can be measured .
,Question 4
Which of the following is a common trigger mechanism for landslides in
California?
A. Intense or prolonged rainfall
B. Wildfires alone
C. Wind erosion
D. Droughts
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: A. Intense or prolonged rainfall
Rationale: Rainfall increases pore water pressure within slope materials
and reduces shear strength, which commonly triggers slope failure. This is
especially prevalent in California during winter rainstorms .
Question 5
What does a Factor of Safety (FoS) of 1.0 indicate in slope stability
analysis?
A. The slope is safe
B. The slope will never fail
C. The slope is at the point of failure
D. The slope is over-designed
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. The slope is at the point of failure
Rationale: A Factor of Safety of 1.0 indicates that driving forces (those
causing slope movement) equal resisting forces (those holding the slope
in place). This represents the threshold condition where failure is
imminent .
, Question 6
In California, which state agency provides official Earthquake Zones of
Required Investigation?
A. Cal EPA
B. California Geological Survey (CGS)
C. California Building Standards Commission
D. Office of Emergency Services
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. California Geological Survey (CGS)
Rationale: The California Geological Survey (CGS) releases Earthquake
Zones of Required Investigation to guide geologic hazard studies before
development, including Alquist-Priolo fault zones and Seismic Hazard
Zones for liquefaction and landslides .
Question 7
What type of fault movement is characterized by vertical displacement?
A. Strike-slip
B. Oblique-slip
C. Dip-slip
D. Transform
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. Dip-slip
Rationale: Dip-slip faults show vertical movement along the dip direction
of the fault plane, either as normal faults (hanging wall down) or reverse
faults (hanging wall up). Strike-slip faults have horizontal movement .
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf,,
Question 1
Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed in the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
A. Landslides
B. Liquefaction
C. Surface fault rupture
D. Ground subsidence
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. Surface fault rupture
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act focuses
specifically on mitigating the hazard of surface fault rupture near active
faults. It prohibits the location of most structures for human occupancy
directly on the trace of an active fault .
Question 2
What is the primary geologic feature used to define an "active fault" in
California?
,A. A fault that shows any offset
B. A fault with surface displacement in the last 11,700 years
C. A fault that has caused a historical earthquake
D. A fault mapped on a geologic map
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. A fault with surface displacement in the last
11,700 years
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey, an active fault is
defined as one that has had surface displacement during the Holocene
epoch, which spans the last approximately 11,700 years .
Question 3
Which investigation technique is most appropriate to determine the depth
of bedrock in an alluvial basin?
A. Geologic mapping
B. Seismic refraction survey
C. Surface trenching
D. Cone penetration testing
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. Seismic refraction survey
Rationale: Seismic refraction is effective for determining the depth to
higher-velocity materials like bedrock because seismic waves travel
faster through bedrock than through overlying alluvium, creating a velocity
contrast that can be measured .
,Question 4
Which of the following is a common trigger mechanism for landslides in
California?
A. Intense or prolonged rainfall
B. Wildfires alone
C. Wind erosion
D. Droughts
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: A. Intense or prolonged rainfall
Rationale: Rainfall increases pore water pressure within slope materials
and reduces shear strength, which commonly triggers slope failure. This is
especially prevalent in California during winter rainstorms .
Question 5
What does a Factor of Safety (FoS) of 1.0 indicate in slope stability
analysis?
A. The slope is safe
B. The slope will never fail
C. The slope is at the point of failure
D. The slope is over-designed
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. The slope is at the point of failure
Rationale: A Factor of Safety of 1.0 indicates that driving forces (those
causing slope movement) equal resisting forces (those holding the slope
in place). This represents the threshold condition where failure is
imminent .
, Question 6
In California, which state agency provides official Earthquake Zones of
Required Investigation?
A. Cal EPA
B. California Geological Survey (CGS)
C. California Building Standards Commission
D. Office of Emergency Services
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: B. California Geological Survey (CGS)
Rationale: The California Geological Survey (CGS) releases Earthquake
Zones of Required Investigation to guide geologic hazard studies before
development, including Alquist-Priolo fault zones and Seismic Hazard
Zones for liquefaction and landslides .
Question 7
What type of fault movement is characterized by vertical displacement?
A. Strike-slip
B. Oblique-slip
C. Dip-slip
D. Transform
Correct ,,,answer,,,,: C. Dip-slip
Rationale: Dip-slip faults show vertical movement along the dip direction
of the fault plane, either as normal faults (hanging wall down) or reverse
faults (hanging wall up). Strike-slip faults have horizontal movement .
