Earth Science and Geology Exam Questions and Correct Answers Latest Update 2025
a. Ductile deformation
b. Brittle deformation
c. Elastic deformation
________________rocks will change shape due to pressure but return to their original state when
pressure is released.
________________causes a permanent change in shape or causes a change of shape that does not
return to its original shape after the stress is released.
__________________rocks will shatter due to pressure. - Answers Elastic deformation−Ductile
deformation−
Brittle deformation−
How is confining pressure different from differential stress?
Confining pressure folds and fractures rocks, whereas differential stress cannot.
When a rock is under confining pressure, all of the forces are applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by differential stress is greater in a single direction than in all of the
other directions.
Differential stress can cause a phase change in material, whereas confining pressure cannot.
Differential stress pulls the stretches the rocks and the grains they contain, whereas confining pressure
squeezes the rocks, often folding minerals into bands.
When a rock is under differential stress, all of the forces are applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by confining pressure is greater in a single direction than in all of
the other directions. - Answers When a rock is under confining pressure, all of the forces are applied to
,the rock equally in all directions. However, pressure applied to a rock by differential stress is greater in a
single direction than in all of the other directions.
Which kind of stress (confining pressure or differential stress) is responsible for creating the texture
visible in this rock?
Picture of Rock with stripes
Confining
differential - Answers differential
What is the definition of a parent rock?
The igneous rock forming through solidification of magma
The resulting precipitate when water dissolves mineral matter
The rock that was altered by metamorphism
The rock produced by metamorphism - Answers The rock that was altered by metamorphism
Which of the following best describes the difference between differential stress and confining pressure?
In differential stress, the force of gravity is higher than in confining stress.
In confining stress, the force of gravity is higher than in differential stress.
Both confining pressure and differential stress have stresses applied to a rock in one direction, which is
greater than the force of gravity as a whole.
Under confining pressures, the stresses on the sides are greater than the force of gravity. Stresses are
the same on all sides for differential stress.
, In differential stress, the stresses on the sides are greater than the force of gravity. Stresses are the
same on all sides for confining pressure. - Answers
Which of the following describes the orientation of the long axes of rocks and mineral grains in
relationship to the stress applied?
a. Mineral grains are oriented parallel to the direction of the weakest stress applied.
b. The long axis of a rock is parallel to the direction of the weakest stress applied.
c. The long axis of a rock is oriented parallel to the direction of the strongest stress applied.
d. Mineral grains are oriented parallel to the direction of the strongest stress applied. - Answers a and b
Match the foliated metamorphic rocks in order from highest grade to lowest grade.
a. Schist b. Phyllite c. Quartzite d. Gneiss e. Slate - Answers Gniess Schist Phillyte slate.
Metamorphic rocks can sometimes contain unusually large grains surrounded by a fine-grained matrix of
other minerals. These large crystals are called ________.
phenocrysts
inclusions
vesicles
porphyroblasts - Answers porphyroblasts
What is the texture of this rock?
*SANDY looking rock
Slaty
cleavage
Gneissic
banding
Schistosity
Nonfoliated - Answers Nonfoliated
Which of the following scenarios best describes the formation of hornfels?
a. Ductile deformation
b. Brittle deformation
c. Elastic deformation
________________rocks will change shape due to pressure but return to their original state when
pressure is released.
________________causes a permanent change in shape or causes a change of shape that does not
return to its original shape after the stress is released.
__________________rocks will shatter due to pressure. - Answers Elastic deformation−Ductile
deformation−
Brittle deformation−
How is confining pressure different from differential stress?
Confining pressure folds and fractures rocks, whereas differential stress cannot.
When a rock is under confining pressure, all of the forces are applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by differential stress is greater in a single direction than in all of the
other directions.
Differential stress can cause a phase change in material, whereas confining pressure cannot.
Differential stress pulls the stretches the rocks and the grains they contain, whereas confining pressure
squeezes the rocks, often folding minerals into bands.
When a rock is under differential stress, all of the forces are applied to the rock equally in all directions.
However, pressure applied to a rock by confining pressure is greater in a single direction than in all of
the other directions. - Answers When a rock is under confining pressure, all of the forces are applied to
,the rock equally in all directions. However, pressure applied to a rock by differential stress is greater in a
single direction than in all of the other directions.
Which kind of stress (confining pressure or differential stress) is responsible for creating the texture
visible in this rock?
Picture of Rock with stripes
Confining
differential - Answers differential
What is the definition of a parent rock?
The igneous rock forming through solidification of magma
The resulting precipitate when water dissolves mineral matter
The rock that was altered by metamorphism
The rock produced by metamorphism - Answers The rock that was altered by metamorphism
Which of the following best describes the difference between differential stress and confining pressure?
In differential stress, the force of gravity is higher than in confining stress.
In confining stress, the force of gravity is higher than in differential stress.
Both confining pressure and differential stress have stresses applied to a rock in one direction, which is
greater than the force of gravity as a whole.
Under confining pressures, the stresses on the sides are greater than the force of gravity. Stresses are
the same on all sides for differential stress.
, In differential stress, the stresses on the sides are greater than the force of gravity. Stresses are the
same on all sides for confining pressure. - Answers
Which of the following describes the orientation of the long axes of rocks and mineral grains in
relationship to the stress applied?
a. Mineral grains are oriented parallel to the direction of the weakest stress applied.
b. The long axis of a rock is parallel to the direction of the weakest stress applied.
c. The long axis of a rock is oriented parallel to the direction of the strongest stress applied.
d. Mineral grains are oriented parallel to the direction of the strongest stress applied. - Answers a and b
Match the foliated metamorphic rocks in order from highest grade to lowest grade.
a. Schist b. Phyllite c. Quartzite d. Gneiss e. Slate - Answers Gniess Schist Phillyte slate.
Metamorphic rocks can sometimes contain unusually large grains surrounded by a fine-grained matrix of
other minerals. These large crystals are called ________.
phenocrysts
inclusions
vesicles
porphyroblasts - Answers porphyroblasts
What is the texture of this rock?
*SANDY looking rock
Slaty
cleavage
Gneissic
banding
Schistosity
Nonfoliated - Answers Nonfoliated
Which of the following scenarios best describes the formation of hornfels?
