ESS 101 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. Which mechanism is currently considered the primary driver of plate motion?
A. Slab pull
B. Mantle convection traction
C. Ridge push
D. Tidal forces
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While convection and ridge push contribute, slab pull—the
gravitational sinking of cold, dense lithosphere—is the dominant force driving plate
movement.
2. What defines a mineral under geological standards?
A. Naturally occurring, organic, liquid, ordered structure
B. Synthetic, inorganic, solid, crystal structure
,C. Naturally occurring, inorganic, gas, specific chemical formula
D. Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, ordered atomic arrangement
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A mineral must be naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, possess
an ordered internal atomic structure, and have a definite chemical composition.
3. In Bowen’s Reaction Series, which mineral is the first to crystallize from a cooling mafic
melt?
A. Quartz
B. Biotite
C. Olivine
D. Muscovite
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Olivine is the first mineral to crystallize at the highest
temperatures in the discontinuous series.
4. What type of plate boundary is the San Andreas Fault?
A. Convergent
B. Divergent
C. Subduction
, D. Transform
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The San Andreas Fault is a classic example of a transform
boundary where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other horizontally.
5. Which seismic wave is the fastest and can travel through both solids and liquids?
A. S-wave
B. Love wave
C. Rayleigh wave
D. P-wave
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that travel
fastest and can move through any medium, including the liquid outer core.
6. The ‘Shadow Zone’ for S-waves exists because:
A. They are absorbed by the crust
B. They travel too slowly to be detected
C. They are reflected by the Moho
D. They cannot travel through the liquid outer core
Answer: D
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. Which mechanism is currently considered the primary driver of plate motion?
A. Slab pull
B. Mantle convection traction
C. Ridge push
D. Tidal forces
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While convection and ridge push contribute, slab pull—the
gravitational sinking of cold, dense lithosphere—is the dominant force driving plate
movement.
2. What defines a mineral under geological standards?
A. Naturally occurring, organic, liquid, ordered structure
B. Synthetic, inorganic, solid, crystal structure
,C. Naturally occurring, inorganic, gas, specific chemical formula
D. Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, ordered atomic arrangement
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A mineral must be naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, possess
an ordered internal atomic structure, and have a definite chemical composition.
3. In Bowen’s Reaction Series, which mineral is the first to crystallize from a cooling mafic
melt?
A. Quartz
B. Biotite
C. Olivine
D. Muscovite
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Olivine is the first mineral to crystallize at the highest
temperatures in the discontinuous series.
4. What type of plate boundary is the San Andreas Fault?
A. Convergent
B. Divergent
C. Subduction
, D. Transform
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The San Andreas Fault is a classic example of a transform
boundary where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other horizontally.
5. Which seismic wave is the fastest and can travel through both solids and liquids?
A. S-wave
B. Love wave
C. Rayleigh wave
D. P-wave
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that travel
fastest and can move through any medium, including the liquid outer core.
6. The ‘Shadow Zone’ for S-waves exists because:
A. They are absorbed by the crust
B. They travel too slowly to be detected
C. They are reflected by the Moho
D. They cannot travel through the liquid outer core
Answer: D
