Geology Exam 2 Review Questions (from Students)

As the seafloor gets further from a mid-ocean ridge, it becomes...

• Older and thicker

• Younger and thinner

• Older and thinner

• Younger and thicker

Which letter best represents the East Pacific Rise (East Pacific Ridge)?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

1. Which statement accurately compares and contrasts an earthquake’s “magnitude” and “intensity”?

• 1. The “magnitude” is a quantitative measurement of earthquake strength while “intensity” has no numerical value associated with it. 

• The “magnitude” is a qualitative assessment of earthquake strength, while “intensity” is a quantitative measurement.

• 1. The “magnitude” is  a subjective measurement of strength that includes human reports while “intensity” is an objective measurement taken by instruments.

• 1. The “magnitude” is an objective measurement of strength taken by instruments while “intensity” is a subjective measurement that includes human reports.

Which piece of evidence best supports the theory of continental drift?

• Fold-belt mountains, such as the Swiss Alps, where rock outcrops demonstrate warping.

• Stripes of magnetite-rich basalt on the sea floor with alternating crystallization patterns.

• Chemosynthetic archaea and bacteria who are found along hydrothermal vents on mid-ocean ridges.

• Serpentinite samples from drilling in California towns where volcanic activity is common.

Which statement accurately describes seismic waves?

• “Body” waves move through media underneath the surface and are less powerful, while “Surface” waves move along the surface and are more powerful.

• “S” waves are “seismic” waves, the more powerful surface waves, while “P” waves are “parted” waves, the less powerful body waves.

• “P” and “S” waves are both types of body waves, and are faster-moving than any surface waves.

• “Love” waves, which are the slowest wave, are rolling surface waves, while “Rayleigh” waves are shearing waves, associated with horizontal movement.

When was the Devonian period?

• 419.2-358.9 million years ago

• 358.9-298.9 million years ago

• 485-443.8 million years ago

• 298.9-251.902 million years ago

When is the Cenozoic era?

• 66 million years ago to now

• 66-56 million years ago

• 485-443.8 million years ago

• 541-485.4 million years ago

Which of the following has the correct order for the Eons, from earliest to latest?

• Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

• Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic

• Mesozoic, Cenozoic, Paleozoic

• Archean, Hadean, Phanerozoic, Proterozoic

Which of the following best describes the Paleozoic Era?

• Increased oxygen levels

• Occurred 541-252 million years ago

• Began with the Cambrian Period

• All the above

Where is the Ring of Fire located?

• Between the African Plate and the South American Plate

• Around the North American Plate

• Around the Pacific Plate

• Under the India-Australian Plate