G202 FINAL EXAM: ADVANCED
GEOLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEMS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following best describes the Mohorovičić discontinuity?
A. The boundary between the outer core and the inner core.
B. The interface between the mantle and the outer core.
C. The transition zone between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere.
D. The boundary between the crust and the mantle.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho, is the boundary
separating the Earth’s crust from the underlying mantle, characterized by a distinct change
in seismic wave velocity.
2. In the context of plate tectonics, what occurs at a ‘Benioff Zone’?
A. Seafloor spreading at a mid-ocean ridge.
B. Upwelling of magma at a mantle plume.
C. Horizontal displacement along a transform fault.
D. Earthquakes along a subducting oceanic slab.
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A Benioff Zone (or Wadati-Benioff zone) is a planar zone of
seismicity corresponding with the down-going slab in a subduction zone.
3. Which mineral is typically the last to crystallize according to Bowen’s Reaction Series?
A. Olivine
B. Pyroxene
C. Quartz
D. Calcium-rich Plagioclase
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Quartz crystallizes at the lowest temperatures and is the final
mineral to form in Bowen’s Reaction Series as magma cools.
4. What type of stress is primarily responsible for the formation of a reverse fault?
A. Confining pressure
B. Tension
C. Shear
D. Compression
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Compressional stress pushes crustal blocks together, causing the
hanging wall to move up relative to the footwall in a reverse fault.
5. Which seismic wave travels the fastest and arrives first at a recording station?
A. S-wave
B. P-wave
C. L-wave
D. R-wave
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Primary (P) waves are compressional waves that travel faster
through solid and liquid material than any other seismic wave type.
6. Which metamorphic facies represents high-pressure, low-temperature conditions
characteristic of subduction zones?
A. Greenschist
B. Hornfels
C. Granulite
D. Blueschist
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Blueschist facies forms under high pressure but relatively low
temperature, which occurs where cold oceanic crust is rapidly subducted.
GEOLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEMS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED. JUST RELEASED
1. Which of the following best describes the Mohorovičić discontinuity?
A. The boundary between the outer core and the inner core.
B. The interface between the mantle and the outer core.
C. The transition zone between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere.
D. The boundary between the crust and the mantle.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Mohorovičić discontinuity, or Moho, is the boundary
separating the Earth’s crust from the underlying mantle, characterized by a distinct change
in seismic wave velocity.
2. In the context of plate tectonics, what occurs at a ‘Benioff Zone’?
A. Seafloor spreading at a mid-ocean ridge.
B. Upwelling of magma at a mantle plume.
C. Horizontal displacement along a transform fault.
D. Earthquakes along a subducting oceanic slab.
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A Benioff Zone (or Wadati-Benioff zone) is a planar zone of
seismicity corresponding with the down-going slab in a subduction zone.
3. Which mineral is typically the last to crystallize according to Bowen’s Reaction Series?
A. Olivine
B. Pyroxene
C. Quartz
D. Calcium-rich Plagioclase
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Quartz crystallizes at the lowest temperatures and is the final
mineral to form in Bowen’s Reaction Series as magma cools.
4. What type of stress is primarily responsible for the formation of a reverse fault?
A. Confining pressure
B. Tension
C. Shear
D. Compression
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Compressional stress pushes crustal blocks together, causing the
hanging wall to move up relative to the footwall in a reverse fault.
5. Which seismic wave travels the fastest and arrives first at a recording station?
A. S-wave
B. P-wave
C. L-wave
D. R-wave
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Primary (P) waves are compressional waves that travel faster
through solid and liquid material than any other seismic wave type.
6. Which metamorphic facies represents high-pressure, low-temperature conditions
characteristic of subduction zones?
A. Greenschist
B. Hornfels
C. Granulite
D. Blueschist
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Blueschist facies forms under high pressure but relatively low
temperature, which occurs where cold oceanic crust is rapidly subducted.
