CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025/2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Part 1: Project Planning & Site Reconnaissance
1. During a site investigation in California, you encounter a fault trace that
offsets Holocene alluvium. What is the most likely classification of this fault
under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Potentially active fault
• B) Active fault
• C) Inactive fault
• D) Ancient fault
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act defines an active fault as one that has shown
displacement in the last 11,700 years (Holocene time). Since Holocene alluvium is
displaced, the fault is classified as active.
2. Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed by the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Landslides
• B) Liquefaction
• C) Surface fault rupture
, • D) Ground subsidence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on mitigating the hazard of
surface fault rupture near active faults.
3. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
• A) Any civil engineer
• B) A licensed surveyor
• C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
• D) A general contractor with experience
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and
Geologists requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be
conducted and signed by a CEG.
4. According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable
Factor of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
• A) 1.0
• B) 1.1
• C) 1.3
• D) 1.5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A specifies a minimum Factor of Safety of
1.1 for liquefaction analysis.
, 5. 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
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey, an active fault is one with
surface displacement during the Holocene (approximately the last 11,700 years).
6. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires mapping of which hazards?
• A) Fault rupture only
• B) Liquefaction and landslides
• C) Tsunami and coastal erosion
• D) Expansive soils and subsidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act targets mapping of areas at risk for
liquefaction and landslides.
7. During a fault trenching investigation, radiocarbon dating of buried soil
horizons provides ages of 3,000 years and 9,000 years for offset layers. What can
you infer about fault activity?
• A) Fault is active
• B) Fault is inactive
• C) Fault is potentially active
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2025/2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Part 1: Project Planning & Site Reconnaissance
1. During a site investigation in California, you encounter a fault trace that
offsets Holocene alluvium. What is the most likely classification of this fault
under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Potentially active fault
• B) Active fault
• C) Inactive fault
• D) Ancient fault
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act defines an active fault as one that has shown
displacement in the last 11,700 years (Holocene time). Since Holocene alluvium is
displaced, the fault is classified as active.
2. Which of the following geologic hazards is most directly addressed by the
Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act?
• A) Landslides
• B) Liquefaction
• C) Surface fault rupture
, • D) Ground subsidence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Alquist-Priolo Act focuses specifically on mitigating the hazard of
surface fault rupture near active faults.
3. Under California law, who can sign a geologic hazard report for a subdivision
within an Alquist-Priolo Zone?
• A) Any civil engineer
• B) A licensed surveyor
• C) A California Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG)
• D) A general contractor with experience
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and
Geologists requires that fault hazard investigations in Alquist-Priolo Zones be
conducted and signed by a CEG.
4. According to CGS Special Publication 117A, what is the lowest acceptable
Factor of Safety in a liquefaction analysis?
• A) 1.0
• B) 1.1
• C) 1.3
• D) 1.5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: CGS Special Publication 117A specifies a minimum Factor of Safety of
1.1 for liquefaction analysis.
, 5. 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
Rationale: According to the California Geological Survey, an active fault is one with
surface displacement during the Holocene (approximately the last 11,700 years).
6. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act requires mapping of which hazards?
• A) Fault rupture only
• B) Liquefaction and landslides
• C) Tsunami and coastal erosion
• D) Expansive soils and subsidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act targets mapping of areas at risk for
liquefaction and landslides.
7. During a fault trenching investigation, radiocarbon dating of buried soil
horizons provides ages of 3,000 years and 9,000 years for offset layers. What can
you infer about fault activity?
• A) Fault is active
• B) Fault is inactive
• C) Fault is potentially active
