CALIFORNIA GEOLOGIST LICENSING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which type of fault is San Andreas Fault?
A. Normal
B. Reverse
C. Strike-slip
D. Oblique-slip
The San Andreas is a lateral fault where plates slide horizontally
past one another.
2. Which rock type is most likely to contain fossils?
A. Granite
B. Basalt
C. Limestone
D. Gneiss
Sedimentary rocks (like limestone) commonly preserve fossils;
igneous/metamorphic rocks rarely do.
3. What is the lithologic term for a rock composed of angular
gravel-sized fragments?
A. Conglomerate
B. Breccia
C. Sandstone
D. Siltstone
Breccia has angular clasts; conglomerates have rounded clasts.
,4. Which soil horizon typically contains the most organic material?
A. C horizon
B. O horizon
C. B horizon
D. A horizon
The O horizon is the top layer rich in organic matter (leaf litter,
humus).
5. What is the primary agent of chemical weathering?
A. Wind
B. Ice
C. Water
D. Gravity
Water (especially slightly acidic) is the dominant medium for
chemical reactions that weather minerals.
6. Which mineral is the chief ore of aluminum?
A. Galena
B. Magnetite
C. Bauxite
D. Chalcopyrite
Bauxite is the main aluminum ore.
7. In California, who is legally responsible for signing and sealing a
geologic report?
A. Any scientist
B. Civil engineer
C. Licensed Professional Geologist
D. Land surveyor
Only a licensed geologist may legally sign/seal geologic reports in
CA.
, 8. Which type of metamorphism occurs at convergent plate
boundaries?
A. Contact metamorphism
B. Shock metamorphism
C. Regional metamorphism
D. Hydrothermal metamorphism
Regional metamorphism is caused by pressure/temperature over
large areas typical of convergent zones.
9. What is the effect of increasing clay content in soil?
A. Increased permeability
B. Decreased permeability
C. Increased compaction resistance
D. Increased hydraulic conductivity
Clay-rich soils have small pores, reducing permeability and slowing
water flow.
10. In an unconfined aquifer, the water table represents:
A. The impermeable base
B. The top of the saturated zone
C. The bottom of the unsaturated zone
D. Where confined pressure starts
The water table is the upper surface of groundwater in an
unconfined aquifer.
11. What kind of mass movement occurs slowly and often tilts
structures like fence posts or trees?
A. Mudflow
B. Creep
C. Debris avalanche
D. Rockslide
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which type of fault is San Andreas Fault?
A. Normal
B. Reverse
C. Strike-slip
D. Oblique-slip
The San Andreas is a lateral fault where plates slide horizontally
past one another.
2. Which rock type is most likely to contain fossils?
A. Granite
B. Basalt
C. Limestone
D. Gneiss
Sedimentary rocks (like limestone) commonly preserve fossils;
igneous/metamorphic rocks rarely do.
3. What is the lithologic term for a rock composed of angular
gravel-sized fragments?
A. Conglomerate
B. Breccia
C. Sandstone
D. Siltstone
Breccia has angular clasts; conglomerates have rounded clasts.
,4. Which soil horizon typically contains the most organic material?
A. C horizon
B. O horizon
C. B horizon
D. A horizon
The O horizon is the top layer rich in organic matter (leaf litter,
humus).
5. What is the primary agent of chemical weathering?
A. Wind
B. Ice
C. Water
D. Gravity
Water (especially slightly acidic) is the dominant medium for
chemical reactions that weather minerals.
6. Which mineral is the chief ore of aluminum?
A. Galena
B. Magnetite
C. Bauxite
D. Chalcopyrite
Bauxite is the main aluminum ore.
7. In California, who is legally responsible for signing and sealing a
geologic report?
A. Any scientist
B. Civil engineer
C. Licensed Professional Geologist
D. Land surveyor
Only a licensed geologist may legally sign/seal geologic reports in
CA.
, 8. Which type of metamorphism occurs at convergent plate
boundaries?
A. Contact metamorphism
B. Shock metamorphism
C. Regional metamorphism
D. Hydrothermal metamorphism
Regional metamorphism is caused by pressure/temperature over
large areas typical of convergent zones.
9. What is the effect of increasing clay content in soil?
A. Increased permeability
B. Decreased permeability
C. Increased compaction resistance
D. Increased hydraulic conductivity
Clay-rich soils have small pores, reducing permeability and slowing
water flow.
10. In an unconfined aquifer, the water table represents:
A. The impermeable base
B. The top of the saturated zone
C. The bottom of the unsaturated zone
D. Where confined pressure starts
The water table is the upper surface of groundwater in an
unconfined aquifer.
11. What kind of mass movement occurs slowly and often tilts
structures like fence posts or trees?
A. Mudflow
B. Creep
C. Debris avalanche
D. Rockslide
