Geologist In Training: FG questions and answers
2025\2026 A+ Grade
Apparent Dip
- correct answer The Inclination of a plane measured in a direction *not* perpendicular to strike.
Apparent Dip Direction
- correct answer The bearing of the vertical plane containing the apparent dip angle.
Attitude
- correct answer The orientation in space.
ß
- correct answer The angle between strike and apparent dip direction.
Bearing
- correct answer The horizontal angle between a line and a specified coordinate direction, usually north
or south.
Depth
- correct answer The vertical distance from the ground surface downward to a feature of interest.
Dip
- correct answer The inclination of the line of greatest slope of an inclined plane, measured
perpendicular to strike.
Directed Line
- correct answer A line described by its bearing and plunge.
,Fold Line
- correct answer A hinge line along which a vertical cross section may be constructed and then flattened
out to a horizontal or map view.
Inclination
- correct answer A general term for the vertical angle between the horizontal and a plane of line,
measured downward.
Outcrop Width
- correct answer The width of an outcrop, as measured in map view, perpendicular to strike.
Pole
- correct answer A line perpendicular to a plane, and represented as a point on a stereographic
projection.
Plunge
- correct answer The vertical angle between a line and horizontal.
Precision
- correct answer The degree of agreement or consistency of repeated measurements.
Projection
- correct answer The process by which points on one surface are transferred to another surface, such
that in each view (map or cross section) the points correspond.
Rake (pitch)
- correct answer The angle measured in a specific plane between a line and the horizontal. The angle
between a lineation and strike on a fault plane.
Slope Angle
- correct answer The angle from the horizontal down to the slope.
Stereonet
- correct answer A representation of angular relationships between planes and lines.
, Strike
- correct answer The bearing of a horizontal line in an inclined plane.
Thickness
- correct answer The perpendicular distance between the top and bottom of a geologic unit.
Trend
- correct answer The bearing of the vertical plane containing a line.
Blind Thrust
- correct answer A thrust fault that does not reach the ground surface.
Detachment Fault
- correct answer A low angle normal fault associated with regional extension.
Dip-Slip Fault
- correct answer A fault in which the movement is parallel to the dip of the fault plane, such as a normal,
reverse or listric fault.
Fenster
- correct answer A window into the rocks underlying a thrust fault.
Footwall block
- correct answer The block that underlies a non vertical fault.
Ga
- correct answer Giga Annum, one billion years.
GIS
- correct answer Geographic Information System
2025\2026 A+ Grade
Apparent Dip
- correct answer The Inclination of a plane measured in a direction *not* perpendicular to strike.
Apparent Dip Direction
- correct answer The bearing of the vertical plane containing the apparent dip angle.
Attitude
- correct answer The orientation in space.
ß
- correct answer The angle between strike and apparent dip direction.
Bearing
- correct answer The horizontal angle between a line and a specified coordinate direction, usually north
or south.
Depth
- correct answer The vertical distance from the ground surface downward to a feature of interest.
Dip
- correct answer The inclination of the line of greatest slope of an inclined plane, measured
perpendicular to strike.
Directed Line
- correct answer A line described by its bearing and plunge.
,Fold Line
- correct answer A hinge line along which a vertical cross section may be constructed and then flattened
out to a horizontal or map view.
Inclination
- correct answer A general term for the vertical angle between the horizontal and a plane of line,
measured downward.
Outcrop Width
- correct answer The width of an outcrop, as measured in map view, perpendicular to strike.
Pole
- correct answer A line perpendicular to a plane, and represented as a point on a stereographic
projection.
Plunge
- correct answer The vertical angle between a line and horizontal.
Precision
- correct answer The degree of agreement or consistency of repeated measurements.
Projection
- correct answer The process by which points on one surface are transferred to another surface, such
that in each view (map or cross section) the points correspond.
Rake (pitch)
- correct answer The angle measured in a specific plane between a line and the horizontal. The angle
between a lineation and strike on a fault plane.
Slope Angle
- correct answer The angle from the horizontal down to the slope.
Stereonet
- correct answer A representation of angular relationships between planes and lines.
, Strike
- correct answer The bearing of a horizontal line in an inclined plane.
Thickness
- correct answer The perpendicular distance between the top and bottom of a geologic unit.
Trend
- correct answer The bearing of the vertical plane containing a line.
Blind Thrust
- correct answer A thrust fault that does not reach the ground surface.
Detachment Fault
- correct answer A low angle normal fault associated with regional extension.
Dip-Slip Fault
- correct answer A fault in which the movement is parallel to the dip of the fault plane, such as a normal,
reverse or listric fault.
Fenster
- correct answer A window into the rocks underlying a thrust fault.
Footwall block
- correct answer The block that underlies a non vertical fault.
Ga
- correct answer Giga Annum, one billion years.
GIS
- correct answer Geographic Information System
