ESS 106 Past Exam Questions With
Complete Answers
Potential volcanic activity is assessed by - ANSWER ground deformation
gas emission
earthquakes
For Mt. St. Helens since 1980, what has been the most reliable warning of eruptive
behavior? - ANSWER increasing numbers of earthquakes
Why are lahars so dangerous? - ANSWER many triggers and can travel rapidly
What is the most effective way to survive a lahar? - ANSWER get to high ground
Which of the following does not contribute to instability and collapse of stratovolcanoes
such as Mt. Rainier? - ANSWER thick, heavy lava flow layers
Should a lahar occur on Mt. Rainier, local inhabitants will have how long to evacuate? -
ANSWER 15 minutes - 2 hours
The threat from lahars on Mt. Rainier is made worse by what fact? - ANSWER the
mountain has more glacial ice than other Cascade volcanoes.
, Compared to the modern High Cascades, subduction-zone volcanism during the period
of the West Cascades was? - ANSWER more extensive and of greater volume
What type of advanced warning will a HOT debris avalanche most likely provide? -
ANSWER an INCREASE in shallow earthquakes
What type of advanced warning will a COLD debris avalanche most likely provide? -
ANSWER a DECREASE in shallow earthquakes
Are lahar warning systems installed around Mt. Rainier? What is their effectiveness? -
ANSWER there are systems installed and they have a poor record of effectiveness.
Over the last 5600 years, has Mt. Rainier lost or gained any size? - ANSWER Mt. Rainier
has lost size much more than any gains.
What is one prominent justification for declaring Yellowstone a national park? - ANSWER
its abundant and varied hydrothermal features.
Yellowstone's mantle plume produces mafic magma. How does mafic magma rise
through the crust? - ANSWER mafic magma ascends with difficulty through the
continental crust because of ongoing convection and cooling
Does basalt erupt in Yellowstone? - ANSWER Yes, only in certain parts of the region.
Complete Answers
Potential volcanic activity is assessed by - ANSWER ground deformation
gas emission
earthquakes
For Mt. St. Helens since 1980, what has been the most reliable warning of eruptive
behavior? - ANSWER increasing numbers of earthquakes
Why are lahars so dangerous? - ANSWER many triggers and can travel rapidly
What is the most effective way to survive a lahar? - ANSWER get to high ground
Which of the following does not contribute to instability and collapse of stratovolcanoes
such as Mt. Rainier? - ANSWER thick, heavy lava flow layers
Should a lahar occur on Mt. Rainier, local inhabitants will have how long to evacuate? -
ANSWER 15 minutes - 2 hours
The threat from lahars on Mt. Rainier is made worse by what fact? - ANSWER the
mountain has more glacial ice than other Cascade volcanoes.
, Compared to the modern High Cascades, subduction-zone volcanism during the period
of the West Cascades was? - ANSWER more extensive and of greater volume
What type of advanced warning will a HOT debris avalanche most likely provide? -
ANSWER an INCREASE in shallow earthquakes
What type of advanced warning will a COLD debris avalanche most likely provide? -
ANSWER a DECREASE in shallow earthquakes
Are lahar warning systems installed around Mt. Rainier? What is their effectiveness? -
ANSWER there are systems installed and they have a poor record of effectiveness.
Over the last 5600 years, has Mt. Rainier lost or gained any size? - ANSWER Mt. Rainier
has lost size much more than any gains.
What is one prominent justification for declaring Yellowstone a national park? - ANSWER
its abundant and varied hydrothermal features.
Yellowstone's mantle plume produces mafic magma. How does mafic magma rise
through the crust? - ANSWER mafic magma ascends with difficulty through the
continental crust because of ongoing convection and cooling
Does basalt erupt in Yellowstone? - ANSWER Yes, only in certain parts of the region.
