Physical Geology and Earth's
Geological Processes: Key Concepts
and Timeline EXAM
What does physical geology study? - ANSWER-
The Earth's composition, structure, and
processes.
Which of the following is not a geologic hazard? -
ANSWER-Use of poor construction materials
resulting in a cracked foundation.
What does the principle of uniformitarianism
state? - ANSWER-The processes shaping the
Earth today have also operated in the geologic
past.
What is the accepted age of the Earth? -
ANSWER-4.6 billion years.
If Earth history is compressed into a single year,
when does Rome rule the western world? -
ANSWER-10 seconds to midnight on December
31.
,What is the scientifically accepted age of the
formation of the universe? - ANSWER-13.7 billion
years.
What was the debris from the Big Bang primarily
made of? - ANSWER-Hydrogen and helium.
What caused our solar nebula to contract and
spin? - ANSWER-Gravitational interactions
between particles.
What do dark matter and dark energy explain? -
ANSWER-Fast rotation of galaxies and fast
expansion of the Universe, respectively.
Which of the four spheres of Earth is the most
extensive? - ANSWER-Geosphere.
Who developed the idea of continental drift? -
ANSWER-Alfred Wegener.
What is the name of the supercontinent
proposed in the theory of continental drift? -
ANSWER-Pangaea.
, In which decade was the theory of plate tectonics
developed? - ANSWER-1960s.
What is the oldest material found on the
seafloor? - ANSWER-No materials older than 180
million years.
What does Earth's magnetic field undergo? -
ANSWER-Flipping poles through time.
Why is the asthenosphere considered solid but
mobile? - ANSWER-Its rocks are near their
melting temperatures.
Why are the materials in the lower mantle solid?
- ANSWER-The temperature is lower than the
melting temperature for the materials.
Which type of plate boundary accounts for the
smallest percentage of all plate boundaries? -
ANSWER-Transform boundaries.
Geological Processes: Key Concepts
and Timeline EXAM
What does physical geology study? - ANSWER-
The Earth's composition, structure, and
processes.
Which of the following is not a geologic hazard? -
ANSWER-Use of poor construction materials
resulting in a cracked foundation.
What does the principle of uniformitarianism
state? - ANSWER-The processes shaping the
Earth today have also operated in the geologic
past.
What is the accepted age of the Earth? -
ANSWER-4.6 billion years.
If Earth history is compressed into a single year,
when does Rome rule the western world? -
ANSWER-10 seconds to midnight on December
31.
,What is the scientifically accepted age of the
formation of the universe? - ANSWER-13.7 billion
years.
What was the debris from the Big Bang primarily
made of? - ANSWER-Hydrogen and helium.
What caused our solar nebula to contract and
spin? - ANSWER-Gravitational interactions
between particles.
What do dark matter and dark energy explain? -
ANSWER-Fast rotation of galaxies and fast
expansion of the Universe, respectively.
Which of the four spheres of Earth is the most
extensive? - ANSWER-Geosphere.
Who developed the idea of continental drift? -
ANSWER-Alfred Wegener.
What is the name of the supercontinent
proposed in the theory of continental drift? -
ANSWER-Pangaea.
, In which decade was the theory of plate tectonics
developed? - ANSWER-1960s.
What is the oldest material found on the
seafloor? - ANSWER-No materials older than 180
million years.
What does Earth's magnetic field undergo? -
ANSWER-Flipping poles through time.
Why is the asthenosphere considered solid but
mobile? - ANSWER-Its rocks are near their
melting temperatures.
Why are the materials in the lower mantle solid?
- ANSWER-The temperature is lower than the
melting temperature for the materials.
Which type of plate boundary accounts for the
smallest percentage of all plate boundaries? -
ANSWER-Transform boundaries.