Geology 1113 Exam #2 Questions With
Answers
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Superposition
The oldest is on the bottom, the youngest on top
A mammoth frozen in the Arctic tundra of Siberia would be an example of which type of fossilization?
Mummification
The fossil record is biased toward preserving organisms with hard parts.
True
In cast and mold fossilization, the cast is the hollow space in the rock that subsequently becomes
filled with mineral matter.
False
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Cross-Cutting Relationships
Faults, fractures are younger than the rocks they cut through
What is a fossil?
Evidence of past life that can include skeletal as well as trace material
What is the definition of relative dating?
Putting events in order from first to last
Which era are we currently in?
Cenozoic
When correlating rock between widely separated areas or between continents, what feature do
geologists rely on the most?
Fossils
What is an isotope?
An atom that has more or fewer neutrons than it should
What is an index fossil?
Organisms that were geographically widespread but limited to a short span of geologic time
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Unconformities
Missing time
A worm burrow is an example of which type of fossilization?
Trace fossil
, What is correlation?
Matching up rocks of similar age in different regions
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Original Horizontality
Sedimentary layers/lava flows are deposited in flat layers
The first life on Earth developed during the Cambrian Period.
False
________ is a term used to define 88% of Earth's history prior to the start of the Paleozoic Era.
Precambrian
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Inclusions
Chunks of weathered rock are older than the rock they are contained in
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Lateral Continuity
Rock extend in all directions until they reach the edge of a basin or pinch out
Rapid burial is an important condition favoring preservation.
True
Although the jigsaw-puzzle fit of the southern continents was noted, opponents of Continental Drift
argued that, even if continental displacement had occurred, a good fit between the continents today
would be unlikely. What geological evidence did they cite to support this claim?
Wave erosion and coastal deposition have changed the shape of the continents
Match the tectonic boundary with its direction of motion.
Transform Boundary
Two plates slide past each other
Oceanic lithosphere will get thicker the farther it gets from the mid-ocean ridge.
True
Match the tectonic boundary with its direction of motion.
Divergent Boundary
Two plates pull apart from each other
Which type of convergence will result in a continental volcanic arc?
Oceanic-Continental
Match the convergent boundary with a real-world example: Oceanic-Oceanic
Pacific & Philippine Plates
Which type of convergence will result in a volcanic island arc?
Answers
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Superposition
The oldest is on the bottom, the youngest on top
A mammoth frozen in the Arctic tundra of Siberia would be an example of which type of fossilization?
Mummification
The fossil record is biased toward preserving organisms with hard parts.
True
In cast and mold fossilization, the cast is the hollow space in the rock that subsequently becomes
filled with mineral matter.
False
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Cross-Cutting Relationships
Faults, fractures are younger than the rocks they cut through
What is a fossil?
Evidence of past life that can include skeletal as well as trace material
What is the definition of relative dating?
Putting events in order from first to last
Which era are we currently in?
Cenozoic
When correlating rock between widely separated areas or between continents, what feature do
geologists rely on the most?
Fossils
What is an isotope?
An atom that has more or fewer neutrons than it should
What is an index fossil?
Organisms that were geographically widespread but limited to a short span of geologic time
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Unconformities
Missing time
A worm burrow is an example of which type of fossilization?
Trace fossil
, What is correlation?
Matching up rocks of similar age in different regions
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Original Horizontality
Sedimentary layers/lava flows are deposited in flat layers
The first life on Earth developed during the Cambrian Period.
False
________ is a term used to define 88% of Earth's history prior to the start of the Paleozoic Era.
Precambrian
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Inclusions
Chunks of weathered rock are older than the rock they are contained in
Match the relative dating principles with the correct definition: Lateral Continuity
Rock extend in all directions until they reach the edge of a basin or pinch out
Rapid burial is an important condition favoring preservation.
True
Although the jigsaw-puzzle fit of the southern continents was noted, opponents of Continental Drift
argued that, even if continental displacement had occurred, a good fit between the continents today
would be unlikely. What geological evidence did they cite to support this claim?
Wave erosion and coastal deposition have changed the shape of the continents
Match the tectonic boundary with its direction of motion.
Transform Boundary
Two plates slide past each other
Oceanic lithosphere will get thicker the farther it gets from the mid-ocean ridge.
True
Match the tectonic boundary with its direction of motion.
Divergent Boundary
Two plates pull apart from each other
Which type of convergence will result in a continental volcanic arc?
Oceanic-Continental
Match the convergent boundary with a real-world example: Oceanic-Oceanic
Pacific & Philippine Plates
Which type of convergence will result in a volcanic island arc?
