GEOLOGY 101 FINAL EXAM | FROM QUESTION TO
PERFECTION| STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Course Code:
Course Title:
Programme:
Academic Year: 2026/2027.
Duration: 2 Hours.
Total Marks: 100.
Candidate Instructions:
1) Write your Registration Number on every answer booklet used.
2) Answer ALL questions in Section A and ANY TWO (2) questions in Section B.
3) Read each question carefully before answering.
4) Begin each question on a new page.
5) The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
6) This paper consists of several printed pages, including this page.
7) Ensure your copy is complete before the examination begins.
8) Unauthorized materials and communication with other candidates are not permitted.
Turn Over.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, 8 abundant elements on Earth Answer: Fe, Mg, K, Ca, O, Al, Na, Si
most abundant volatile gasses on Earth Answer: 1. H2O
2. CO2
Divergent Boundaries Answer: tectonic plates spreading apart, new crust being formed (ex.
mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys), normal faults
Convergent Boundaries Answer: Two plates colliding and creating either a mountain
range/volcanic arcs (2 continental) or a subduction zone (2 oceanic), or trench (oceanic and
continental), reverse faults, old crust (temperature decreases, density increases)
Transform Faults Answer: plates slide past one another
strike/slip faults
what is the fundamental building block of silicate minerals? Answer: SiO4 ^4- tetrahedra
what is the most common group of minerals? Answer: silicates
what is the most common group of silicate minerals? Answer: feldspars
chain silicates Answer: pyroxene, amphibole
sheet silicates Answer: biotite and muscovite micas
3D silicates Answer: feldspar, quartz
which silicate mineral has the highest proportion of silica (SiO2) and is the least dense?
Answer: quartz
which silicate mineral has the greatest proportion of cations, crystallizes at the highest
temperature, and is the most dense? Answer: olivine
how are silicate minerals bonded? Answer: by linking tetrahedra or adding cations
the hawaiian islands are on top of what types of volcanic mountains? Answer: shield volcanoes
shield volcanoes Answer: low silica content, low viscosity, large bases, low angle slopes,
pahoehoe, aa, mafic/basaltic rock, divergent boundaries
stratovolcanoes/composite volcanoes Answer: conical shape, tall, alternates eruption style
(pryoclastic andesite vs. basaltic lava), convergent boundaries
domes and cinder cones Answer: small, steep sides, hight silica content, high viscosity,
pyroclasts, ex. Fujiyama
caldera Answer: The large hole at the top of a volcano formed when the roof of a volcano's
magma chamber collapses, ex. Yellowstone
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
PERFECTION| STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Course Code:
Course Title:
Programme:
Academic Year: 2026/2027.
Duration: 2 Hours.
Total Marks: 100.
Candidate Instructions:
1) Write your Registration Number on every answer booklet used.
2) Answer ALL questions in Section A and ANY TWO (2) questions in Section B.
3) Read each question carefully before answering.
4) Begin each question on a new page.
5) The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
6) This paper consists of several printed pages, including this page.
7) Ensure your copy is complete before the examination begins.
8) Unauthorized materials and communication with other candidates are not permitted.
Turn Over.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, 8 abundant elements on Earth Answer: Fe, Mg, K, Ca, O, Al, Na, Si
most abundant volatile gasses on Earth Answer: 1. H2O
2. CO2
Divergent Boundaries Answer: tectonic plates spreading apart, new crust being formed (ex.
mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys), normal faults
Convergent Boundaries Answer: Two plates colliding and creating either a mountain
range/volcanic arcs (2 continental) or a subduction zone (2 oceanic), or trench (oceanic and
continental), reverse faults, old crust (temperature decreases, density increases)
Transform Faults Answer: plates slide past one another
strike/slip faults
what is the fundamental building block of silicate minerals? Answer: SiO4 ^4- tetrahedra
what is the most common group of minerals? Answer: silicates
what is the most common group of silicate minerals? Answer: feldspars
chain silicates Answer: pyroxene, amphibole
sheet silicates Answer: biotite and muscovite micas
3D silicates Answer: feldspar, quartz
which silicate mineral has the highest proportion of silica (SiO2) and is the least dense?
Answer: quartz
which silicate mineral has the greatest proportion of cations, crystallizes at the highest
temperature, and is the most dense? Answer: olivine
how are silicate minerals bonded? Answer: by linking tetrahedra or adding cations
the hawaiian islands are on top of what types of volcanic mountains? Answer: shield volcanoes
shield volcanoes Answer: low silica content, low viscosity, large bases, low angle slopes,
pahoehoe, aa, mafic/basaltic rock, divergent boundaries
stratovolcanoes/composite volcanoes Answer: conical shape, tall, alternates eruption style
(pryoclastic andesite vs. basaltic lava), convergent boundaries
domes and cinder cones Answer: small, steep sides, hight silica content, high viscosity,
pyroclasts, ex. Fujiyama
caldera Answer: The large hole at the top of a volcano formed when the roof of a volcano's
magma chamber collapses, ex. Yellowstone
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
