Questions about Geology

Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, including its composition, structure, processes, and history. This fascinating field encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including mineralogy, paleontology, seismology, and more. Geology trivia questions are a great way to test your knowledge of this important subject and to learn more about the fascinating world that lies beneath our feet.

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#1. Chemically, oil and gas are both

Pure forms of carbon

Pure forms of carbon

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons

Carbonate minerals

Carbonate minerals

#2. If, during an earthquake, a hanging wall slides upward relative to a footwall, the fault is termed ____________ if the fault is steep (closer to vertical than horizontal)

Reverse

Reverse

Thrust

Thrust

Normal

Normal

Abnormal

Abnormal

#3. The United States has active mines within its boundaries that are sufficient to maintain a steady supply of all strategically important metals.

False

False

True

True

#4. Earthquakes that occur in a band called a ____________ can be used to track the motion of subducted oceanic lithosphere

Wadati-Benioff zone

Wadati-Benioff zone

Wegener belt

Wegener belt

Seismic gap

Seismic gap

Trench

Trench

#5. The word "metamorphism" literally refers to

Change in the chemical composition of a rock.

Change in the chemical composition of a rock.

Moving toward the middle

Moving toward the middle

Change

Change

A concept in existential philosophy.

A concept in existential philosophy.

#6. Mineral-rich veins within plutons, deposited by hot groundwater into fractures within the rock, characterize

Residual mineral deposits

Residual mineral deposits

Sedimentary deposits

Sedimentary deposits

Placer deposits

Placer deposits

Hydrothermal deposits

Hydrothermal deposits

#7. Which ore minerals are commonly found in ancient sedimentary deposits that are 2 billion years old?

Aluminum oxides

Aluminum oxides

iron oxides

iron oxides

Copper oxides

Copper oxides

Copper sulfides

Copper sulfides

#8. Commercial ore deposits are most likely to be found associated with

Igneous rocks

Igneous rocks

Evaporite sequences

Evaporite sequences

Thick basinal sandstones and shales

Thick basinal sandstones and shales

Blueschists

Blueschists

#9. The first ores which were widely smelted by humans to produce metal were those of

Bronze

Bronze

Copper

Copper

Iron

Iron

Gold

Gold

#10. Shale, salt, and fine-grained limestone that is not fractured are all good candidates to serve as ____________ within an oil field.

A source rock

A source rock

Either a source or reservoir rock

Either a source or reservoir rock

A seal rock

A seal rock

A reservoir rock

A reservoir rock

#11. Seismic rays follow curve paths in Earth's interior due to

The spheroidal nature of the Earth itself

The spheroidal nature of the Earth itself

The influence of abrupt changes in density associated with major contrasts in rock type at depth

The influence of abrupt changes in density associated with major contrasts in rock type at depth

The arcuate nature of trenches at subduction zones, where most earthquakes are generated

The arcuate nature of trenches at subduction zones, where most earthquakes are generated

Gradual changes in density with depth beneath the surface

Gradual changes in density with depth beneath the surface

#12. Which fossil fuel, oil or natural gas, is found at greater depths within Earth, and why?

Oil, because it is more stable at low pressures

Oil, because it is more stable at low pressures

Gas, because it is more stable at low pressures

Gas, because it is more stable at low pressures

Gas, because it is more stable at high temperatures

Gas, because it is more stable at high temperatures

Oil, because it is more stable at high temperatures

Oil, because it is more stable at high temperatures

#13. Seismologist know that the outer core is liquid due to the presence of

B- P-wave "shadow" zone for seismometers situated between 104° and 140° from earthquake hypocenters

B- P-wave "shadow" zone for seismometers situated between 104° and 140° from earthquake hypocenters

D- S-wave "shadow" zone for seismometers situated on the far side of the Earth from earthquake hypocenters

D- S-wave "shadow" zone for seismometers situated on the far side of the Earth from earthquake hypocenters

Both D and B

Both D and B

A- high-velocity zone for seismic waves traveling in the outer core

A- high-velocity zone for seismic waves traveling in the outer core

C- low-velocity zone (LVZ) at a depth of 200 km where about 2% of the rock may be melted

C- low-velocity zone (LVZ) at a depth of 200 km where about 2% of the rock may be melted

#14. Which mineral resources are considered renewable?

Iron and aluminum ores

Iron and aluminum ores

No mineral resources are renewable

No mineral resources are renewable

Nonmetallic minerals only

Nonmetallic minerals only

Base metals only

Base metals only

#15. Earthquake waves which pass through the interior of Earth are termed

Body waves

Body waves

R-waves

R-waves

Interior waves

Interior waves

Surface waves

Surface waves

#16. Long-term prediction of earthquake behavior

All options

All options

Is based on past earthquake activity

Is based on past earthquake activity

Works on the principle that zones of past seismicity will be active in the future

Works on the principle that zones of past seismicity will be active in the future

Includes the notion of seismic gaps—places where an earthquake is “overdue

Includes the notion of seismic gaps—places where an earthquake is “overdue

#17. The oil window (temperature range wherein organic matter is converted to petroleum without destroying it) lies between

100 to 250 °C

100 to 250 °C

90 to 160 °C

90 to 160 °C

30 to 60 °C

30 to 60 °C

200 to 350 °C

200 to 350 °C

#18. Surface waves

Produce most of the damage to buildings during earthquakes

Produce most of the damage to buildings during earthquakes

Are the first waves initially produced in an earthquake

Are the first waves initially produced in an earthquake

Travel more rapidly than body waves

Travel more rapidly than body waves

Are the first waves to arrive at a seismograph station after an earthquake

Are the first waves to arrive at a seismograph station after an earthquake

#19. U-235, the isotope of uranium commonly utilized in nuclear power plants, is

The most common of the naturally occurring isotopes of that element

The most common of the naturally occurring isotopes of that element

Rare even in uranium oxide deposits, and thus usable reactor fuel must be enriched with respect to this isotope

Rare even in uranium oxide deposits, and thus usable reactor fuel must be enriched with respect to this isotope

Heavier than the other well-known isotope of uranium

Heavier than the other well-known isotope of uranium

#20. As suggested by the name “earthquake” the release of seismic energy as waves is unique to our planet and has not been found to occur in any other body of our solar system.

True

True

False

False

Finish