Geology/Lithosphere Test Review

Which of the following stream characteristics MOST directly affects stream depositions?

• gradient

• elevation

• base level

• water quality

Which of the following observations BEST supports Alfred Wegener’s theory of continental drift?

• Similar animal species are found in Asia and North America.

• Patterns of the major oceanic currents stay consistent from year to year.

• Changes in Earth’s magnetic field have been documented in ocean floor rocks.

• Identical fossils are found along the coastal region of Africa and South America.

A scientist searches for fossils in sedimentary rocks. Which statement BEST explains why the scientist is more likely to find fossils in sedimentary rocks than in other rock types?

• A mold can form when an organism is buried in sediment.

• Most organisms live in areas where sedimentary rocks are found.

• Other rock types are difficult to examine compared to sedimentary rocks.

• Sedimentary rocks are the most common rock type on Earth.

Water is a very important part of the physical weathering of rock. Which of these properties of water is MOST important in causing some of the physical weathering of rock?

• Water is a liquid at room temperature

• Water can contain different minerals.

• Water expands when it freezes

• Water dissolves many chemicals

Chemical weathering occurs when minerals in rocks are changed chemically. Which of these will MOST likely change the rate of chemical weathering on a rock?

• decrease in air temperature

• increase in rainfall amounts

• slow movement of a glacier

• rapid growth of plant roots

Intense heat and pressure in Earth’s crust can change sandstone into quartzite. During this metamorphosis, many properties of these rocks change. Which property of these rocks will MOST likely remain the same?

• mass

• volume

• crystal structure

• particle shape

Which of the following BEST explains why Earth is tectonically active?

• Earth’s solid surface layer rotates more rapidly than the layers beneath it

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are under great pressure from ocean water

• Earth’s solid surface layer sits on a layer of semimolten rock that slowly flows

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are thicker and so heavier than other areas.

A scientist was examining a large boulder that was covered with lichens (a combination of fungi and algae). He chipped a piece of the rock and placed it under a microscope. He observed that the surface of the rock was breaking down underneath the lichen. Which was the scientist MOST likely observing?

• A. the interaction between abiotic factors

• the effects of chemical weathering

• the process of deposition

• the effects of abrasion

Over time, non-volcanic mountains can form due to the interaction of plate boundaries. Which interaction is MOST likely associated with the formation of non-volcanic mountains?

• oceanic plates colliding with oceanic plates

• oceanic plates separating from oceanic plates

• continental plates colliding with continental plates

• continental plates separating from continental plates

In many caves, rock formations include stalactites and stalagmites. Where does the rock in these formations come from?

• magma

• rainwater

• dissolved minerals

• decaying organic matter