GEO 105 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is uniformitarianism and why is this important concept used to study historical
geology? - Answers :The Principle of Uniformitarianism states that the laws of nature
that are in effect today, have been in effect forever. Why is it important? The present is
the key to the past.
Briefly explain how geologists can formulate theories about events that occurred on
Earth before humans were here to make
observations. - Answers :Geologists formulate theories about events that occurred on
the Earth before humans were here by using the geologic and fossil record. They are
able to assume that the same natural forces we experience today were in effect then
Why does the principle of uniformitarianism lead to the conclusion that the age of Earth
is very old? - Answers :The major folds and unconformities seen in rocks could not have
been produced in such a short time if the principle of uniformitarianism is applied.
Why does Earth have seasons? - Answers :We have seasons because the earth is
tilted (wonky) as it makes its yearly journey around the sun. The Earth's axis is tilted at
an angle of 23.5 degrees. This means that the Earth is always "pointing" to one side as
it goes around the Sun.
How does the erosion and weathering of the growing Himalayas affect global climate? -
Answers :albedo: the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the
Earth back into space.
How does plate tectonics affect climate? - Answers :Generally, plate tectonics causes a
change in the ocean currents and in turn generates more heat. When these tectonic
plates shift, the creation of the volcanic eruptions increases the degree of carbon
dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere.
What are causes of the longterm (millions of years) swings between hothouse and
icehouse conditions. - Answers :• Solar Radiation
• Atmospheric gas composition
• Albedo (Earth's Reflectivity)
• Plate Tectonics
- Volcanism
- Oceanic Circulation
What in the relationship of CO2 and global atmospheric temperatures? - Answers :More
co2 = warmer Less co2 = cooler
What is the Greenhouse effect? - Answers :-As greenhouse gases increases
temperatures increase
-As greenhouse gases decreases temperatures decrease
,-Change in Geological and Biological events
can change greenhouse concentrations
What is the effect of shirking sea ice on global temperatures? Why? - Answers :What is
the effect of shrinking sea ice on global temperatures? Why?
It is making the climate warmer & the sea levels rise.
What happens when the rate of sea floor spreading slows down? - Answers :The crust
becomes less dense which can lead to Mountains or elevated sea floors
Mountain ranges resulting from continent - continent collisions cause global cooling
because - Answers :albedo
What is the difference between climate and weather? - Answers :The difference
between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the
atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere
"behaves" over relatively long periods of time.
Examine the C02 record from the Mauna Loa volcano. Explain the overall trend and
yearly oscillation seen in the Mauna
Loa CO2 data - Answers :
What is the big bang and how long ago did it happen? - Answers :13.8 bya. time and
expansion of space (universe created)
What is the sources of the elements that make-up water (H20)? - Answers :hydrogen
and oxygen
How long after the Big Bang did our solar system formed? - Answers :earth is 4.6 bya
What elements were produced during the Big Bang? And where do all the other
elements found on our earth come from? - Answers :H, He, Li.
He to Fe formed within sun
the rest were formed during a supernova
How were the planets formed? - Answers :solar nebular theory:
protostellar disk to embyros to planets
During what time did most of on cratering on earth occur? - Answers :
Describe the Haden Crust. - Answers :magma ocean
What event led to the origin of Earth's Moon and the seasons on the Earth? - Answers
:mars sized object crashed into earth changing tilt and the debris formed the moon
What is the solar nebular theory? - Answers :formation of our solar system
, Why are small planets, like Mars, unlikely to have complex, metazoan life? - Answers
:distance from sun and gravity for atmosphere formation
What happens when a star starts producing Iron? - Answers :accretion, density
segregation. iron sinks to the middle and the less dense material rises
What is a supernova and why should be important to you when you examine your
history? - Answers :death of a star, huge energy release.
When and how did the Moon originate? - Answers :debris from collision with earth.4.5
bya
What is the Goldilocks zone and why is it important to us? - Answers :habitable zone.
liquid water zone
What was the source of water for the oceans? How did oceans form? - Answers :water
vapor from volcanism, temp cooled below 100 C
What is the importance of planet size and origin of life? - Answers :size affects gravity to
hold an atmosphere.
Briefly, how did the Earth get its earliest atmosphere? - Answers :degassing from
interior (volcansim) water vapor, GHG kept earth warm
When did the earth's core form? What did the spinning core produce? How did the
Earth's magnetic field protect
the atmosphere? - Answers :4.4 bya. core forms and deflects solarwinds
Explain the set-up and purpose of Miller - Urey experiments. Why was this experiment
important? - Answers :CH4, NH3, H20 and H2 and got cyanide, formaldehyde and
amino acids. found 12 of the most common amino acids
How did the earth form? Use big words like Homogeneous Accretion and Density
Differentiation. - Answers :homogenous accretion allows iron to sink to middle and less
dense to rise creating atmosphere
The outgassing of volcanoes released what gases into the atmosphere? How did these
gases set the stage for chemical and
biological evolution? - Answers :H2, HCL, CO, CO2, N2, water vapor. it was a reducing
atm
What are Archaea bacteria? What is their importance when discussing the origin of life?
- Answers :little bacteria, forms 80-100 C, anoxic produces methane. found in the deep
sea vents
What is uniformitarianism and why is this important concept used to study historical
geology? - Answers :The Principle of Uniformitarianism states that the laws of nature
that are in effect today, have been in effect forever. Why is it important? The present is
the key to the past.
Briefly explain how geologists can formulate theories about events that occurred on
Earth before humans were here to make
observations. - Answers :Geologists formulate theories about events that occurred on
the Earth before humans were here by using the geologic and fossil record. They are
able to assume that the same natural forces we experience today were in effect then
Why does the principle of uniformitarianism lead to the conclusion that the age of Earth
is very old? - Answers :The major folds and unconformities seen in rocks could not have
been produced in such a short time if the principle of uniformitarianism is applied.
Why does Earth have seasons? - Answers :We have seasons because the earth is
tilted (wonky) as it makes its yearly journey around the sun. The Earth's axis is tilted at
an angle of 23.5 degrees. This means that the Earth is always "pointing" to one side as
it goes around the Sun.
How does the erosion and weathering of the growing Himalayas affect global climate? -
Answers :albedo: the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from the
Earth back into space.
How does plate tectonics affect climate? - Answers :Generally, plate tectonics causes a
change in the ocean currents and in turn generates more heat. When these tectonic
plates shift, the creation of the volcanic eruptions increases the degree of carbon
dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere.
What are causes of the longterm (millions of years) swings between hothouse and
icehouse conditions. - Answers :• Solar Radiation
• Atmospheric gas composition
• Albedo (Earth's Reflectivity)
• Plate Tectonics
- Volcanism
- Oceanic Circulation
What in the relationship of CO2 and global atmospheric temperatures? - Answers :More
co2 = warmer Less co2 = cooler
What is the Greenhouse effect? - Answers :-As greenhouse gases increases
temperatures increase
-As greenhouse gases decreases temperatures decrease
,-Change in Geological and Biological events
can change greenhouse concentrations
What is the effect of shirking sea ice on global temperatures? Why? - Answers :What is
the effect of shrinking sea ice on global temperatures? Why?
It is making the climate warmer & the sea levels rise.
What happens when the rate of sea floor spreading slows down? - Answers :The crust
becomes less dense which can lead to Mountains or elevated sea floors
Mountain ranges resulting from continent - continent collisions cause global cooling
because - Answers :albedo
What is the difference between climate and weather? - Answers :The difference
between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the
atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere
"behaves" over relatively long periods of time.
Examine the C02 record from the Mauna Loa volcano. Explain the overall trend and
yearly oscillation seen in the Mauna
Loa CO2 data - Answers :
What is the big bang and how long ago did it happen? - Answers :13.8 bya. time and
expansion of space (universe created)
What is the sources of the elements that make-up water (H20)? - Answers :hydrogen
and oxygen
How long after the Big Bang did our solar system formed? - Answers :earth is 4.6 bya
What elements were produced during the Big Bang? And where do all the other
elements found on our earth come from? - Answers :H, He, Li.
He to Fe formed within sun
the rest were formed during a supernova
How were the planets formed? - Answers :solar nebular theory:
protostellar disk to embyros to planets
During what time did most of on cratering on earth occur? - Answers :
Describe the Haden Crust. - Answers :magma ocean
What event led to the origin of Earth's Moon and the seasons on the Earth? - Answers
:mars sized object crashed into earth changing tilt and the debris formed the moon
What is the solar nebular theory? - Answers :formation of our solar system
, Why are small planets, like Mars, unlikely to have complex, metazoan life? - Answers
:distance from sun and gravity for atmosphere formation
What happens when a star starts producing Iron? - Answers :accretion, density
segregation. iron sinks to the middle and the less dense material rises
What is a supernova and why should be important to you when you examine your
history? - Answers :death of a star, huge energy release.
When and how did the Moon originate? - Answers :debris from collision with earth.4.5
bya
What is the Goldilocks zone and why is it important to us? - Answers :habitable zone.
liquid water zone
What was the source of water for the oceans? How did oceans form? - Answers :water
vapor from volcanism, temp cooled below 100 C
What is the importance of planet size and origin of life? - Answers :size affects gravity to
hold an atmosphere.
Briefly, how did the Earth get its earliest atmosphere? - Answers :degassing from
interior (volcansim) water vapor, GHG kept earth warm
When did the earth's core form? What did the spinning core produce? How did the
Earth's magnetic field protect
the atmosphere? - Answers :4.4 bya. core forms and deflects solarwinds
Explain the set-up and purpose of Miller - Urey experiments. Why was this experiment
important? - Answers :CH4, NH3, H20 and H2 and got cyanide, formaldehyde and
amino acids. found 12 of the most common amino acids
How did the earth form? Use big words like Homogeneous Accretion and Density
Differentiation. - Answers :homogenous accretion allows iron to sink to middle and less
dense to rise creating atmosphere
The outgassing of volcanoes released what gases into the atmosphere? How did these
gases set the stage for chemical and
biological evolution? - Answers :H2, HCL, CO, CO2, N2, water vapor. it was a reducing
atm
What are Archaea bacteria? What is their importance when discussing the origin of life?
- Answers :little bacteria, forms 80-100 C, anoxic produces methane. found in the deep
sea vents
