Geological Processes

Geological Processes Test Review

by Mrs Ulecka

Poll

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​Changes to Earth’s Surface

​Geological processes cause changes to Earth’s surface. Changes can

happen suddenly or gradually. Earth’s surface can change suddenly

during events such as landslides. Landslides occur when rock, soil,

and other earth materials flow rapidly down a slope. Other changes

take millions of years, such as geological processes that form

mountain ranges or that form different types of rock. Geological

processes can affect smaller, local areas or can cause global changes.

Multiple Choice

The natural hazard that happens when rock, soil, and earth materials move down a slope is called a(n) __________.

• volcanic eruption

• landslide

• earthquake

• aquifer

Multiple Choice

what could increase the chance of a landslide?

• heavy rainfall

• earthqauke

• previous landslides

• all of the above

​Natural Hazards

​Many geological processes cause natural hazards. Intense rainfall,

ground-shaking from earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions can cause

landslides. Landslides can destroy homes and villages and close roads

and bridges. Some volcanic eruptions eject huge amounts of ash

into the atmosphere. Wind can carry the ash long distances. When

the ash falls, it can make travel difficult and cause health problems

for people. Another natural hazard is ground-shaking during an

earthquake. Intense ground-shaking can cause buildings and other

structures to fail.

Multiple Choice

Earthquakes are more likely to happen___

• in the middle of tectonic plates

• along plate boundaries

• on hot days

• in aquitards

Multiple Choice

What kind of technology can be used to study the planet and geological processes?

• GPS

• seismometer

• models

• all of the above

​Plate Tectonics

​Volcanic activity and earthquakes happen in global patterns. This is

because Earth’s surface is broken into lithospheric plates, which are

solid pieces of the upper mantle and crust, that move. By mapping

the movement of Earth’s plates using GPS technology, scientists

know that plates move at an average rate of 5–10 cm per year. At

plate boundaries, places where two or more plates meet, the moving plates interact.

Multiple Choice

Plate tectonics refers to the theory that __________.

• each continent is called a plate

• the continents float on the ocean

• Earth's surface is made up of lithospheric plates that have moved overtime

• the lithosphere is made out of iron and nickel

Multiple Choice

Which layer of the Earth is the hottest?

• inner core

• outer core

• lithosphere

• mantle

​Transform Plate Boundary

​At transform plate boundaries, plates move past each

other, which causes earthquakes.

Multiple Choice

what is more likely to occur at a transform plate boundary

• slab pull

• tornado

• earthquake

• volcano

Multiple Choice

This boundary shows how___

• Himalayan mountains form

• Mid-Atlantic ridge forms

• East Africa Rift valley forms

• San Andreas fault forms

​Convergent Plate Boundaries

​At convergent plate boundaries,

plates move towards each other. The interactions at convergent plate

boundaries can causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and the formation of large mountain ranges.

Multiple Choice

What could result from a convergent plate boundary

• rift valley

• island chain

• folded mountains

• mid-ocean ridge

Multiple Choice

The creation of an ocean trench results from

• plate movements

• erosion

• glaciers

• hurricanes

Multiple Choice

What type of plate boundary do lithospheric plates move towards each other?

• divergent

• convergent

• transform

• mid-ocean ridge

Multiple Choice

Deep sea trenches and volcanoes both form at

• transform plate boundaries

• convergent plate boundaries

• divergent plate boundaries

• mountains

​Divergent Plate Boundaries

​

Plates moving away from each other at divergent boundaries form volcanoes and cause earthquakes.

Multiple Choice

What is typical of divergent plate boundaries?

• glaciers and ridges

• folded mountains and earthquakes

• deep sea trenches and earthquakes

• mid-ocean ridges and volcanoes

Multiple Choice

What best describes something that is produced during the process shown in the diagram?

• new lithosphere

• igneous rocks

• mid-ocean ridge

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

New lithosphere is mostly created at what type of plate boundary?

• convergent

• divergent

• transform

• all of the above

​Pangea

​Earth’s lithospheric plates have moved over geological time, drastically changing the appearance of Earth’s surface. Alfred Wegener was one of the first scientists to collect data suggesting that Earth’s continents hadn’t always been where they are today.

Multiple Choice

Continental drift is the idea that __________.

• continents and ocean floor are solid because they are solidified magma

• convection in the core and gravity slowly move continents around on the Earth’s surface

• ocean waves pushes the continents around the surface of the planet

• the continents, once joined together to form a large landmass, have moved over time.

​Evidence

​Later, scientists developed the ability to map the ocean floor. They discovered long underwater chains of volcanoes called mid-ocean ridges.

Scientists also found deep trenches on the ocean floor near convergent plate boundaries. Wegener’s fossil and rock-type evidence, along with the new evidence about mid-ocean ridges and trenches, led to the theory of plate tectonics.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements provides evidence for the theory of plate tectonics?

• Some terrestrial animal fossils can be found both in Africa and South America

• The same kind of rock layers are found in North America, Europe, and Africa.

• GPS data shows that the Earth's plates move a few centimeters every year

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

What is TRUE about the lithosphere?

• lithosphere is never destroyed

• lithosphere can be destroyed and new lithosphere is formed over time

• lithosphere is always formed at the top of mountains

• lithosphere is the thickest layer of the Earth

​Plate Tectonics

​Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s lithospheric plates are in constant motion. Evidence suggests that the two forces driving it are convection in the mantle and gravity.

Multiple Choice

The lithospheric plates keep moving and are still slowly moving today

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of convection?

• energy radiated from radioactive material

• transfer of thermal energy by the movement of matter of different temperatures

• the transfer of energy that happens in ALL layers of the Earth

• the process that adds material to the bottom of the oceanic plates

Multiple Choice

Molten rock located beneath Earth's surface is called?

• lava

• geodes

• magma

• magnesium

​Rocks and the Rock Cycle

​Rocks can become other types of rock through geological processes,

some of which are related to plate motion.

​All types of rock can be transformed into all other types of

rock in a process called the rock cycle.

Multiple Choice

The rock cycle is the idea that rocks break down and form into new rocks over time.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

• Any rock could break into sediments

• Geological processes form rocks

• a sedimentary rock could turn into a metamorphic rock

• all of the above

​Igneous Rocks

​Igneous rock forms when

magma or lava cools and solidifies. That could be during a volcanic eruption or deep underground.

Multiple Choice

Igneous rocks form when weathering and erosion break the rock into sediments.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

An example of an igneous rock is...

• granite

• sandstone

• gneiss

• conglomerate

​Metamorphic Rocks

​Metamorphic rock forms deep underground as the

extreme pressure and/or temperatures change existing rock. One area where metamorphic rock forms is at convergent plate boundaries.

Multiple Choice

Metamorphic rocks are created by intense heat and pressure

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Most metamorphic rocks form __________ .

• deep underground

• on the surface of the Earth 

• in lakes

• from magma

Multiple Choice

What is more likely to provide enough heat and pressure to form metamorphic rocks?

• earthquake

• tsunami

• sunlight

• subduction

​Sedimentary Rocks

​Sedimentary rocks form when sediments are pressed and glued

together.

Multiple Choice

Sedimentary rocks are created when lava or magma cools and solidifies.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

In order for sediments to become sedimentary rock, which answer below best describes the process they must go through?

• Sediments cool and solidify

• sediments are pressed and glue glue together (compaction and cementation)

• lava glues sediments together

• sediments at plate boundaries go under extreme temperatures and pressure

Multiple Choice

The three types of rocks, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, are classified by __________.

• their color

• when they are formed

• where they are formed

• how they are formed

​Distribution of Earth’s Natural Resources

​Many natural resources that humans rely on form through geological

processes that take place over geological time. For example, granite is

a natural resource used in counter tops and statues. It is an igneous

rock, formed underground as magma slowly cools, sometimes

over millions of years. Because these kinds of natural resources

take millions of years to form, they are considered nonrenewable.

Additionally, the same geological processes do not happen across all

of Earth’s surface. Thus, natural resources are not found everywhere.

Multiple Choice

What of the following is NOT a natural resource?

• Plastic

• water

• granite

• copper

Multiple Choice

Fossil fuels are a renewable resource.

• true

• false

​Renewable Resources

​Other natural resources are considered renewable. Groundwater

collects in aquifers. It is renewable because it is quickly replenished

when it rains, when snow or ice melts, or through river and stream

water seepage. Like other natural resources, the geological processes

that form and replenish groundwater supplies do not happen evenly

across Earth’s surface.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a renewable resource?

• petroleum

• water

• copper

• natural gas

Multiple Choice

Where are aquifers found?

• anywhere that water falls on the ground

• anywhere that water flows on the surface of the Earth

• in places where water can flow and collect in rock layers under Earth’s surface

• only in places with rivers and streams

Open Ended

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